Have you ever had a disturbing thought pop up into your head? Thoughts that are distressing, repetitive and unwanted are called intrusive thoughts. NPR's Senior Visuals producer LA Johnson talks with ...

Have you experienced random, intrusive thoughts that seem to appear out of nowhere? Or thoughts that are in contrast to your personality, maybe a thought about intentionally hurting others, horrific ...

The 'pink elephant' experiment has gained popularity on the internet for its simplicity and insight into the workings of the human mind. It’s a straightforward mental exercise that reveals how ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Mark Travers writes about the world of psychology. Overthinking is the habit of excessively analyzing, dwelling on or worrying ...

Rohan’s nighttime fears of being robbed and abducted began at five years old. At nine, Rohan was still sleeping in his mother’s room plagued by nighttime obsessions. “I feel like we’re going to get ...

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition, and psychosis is a more general term that describes a range of experiences. They may both share similar symptoms, such as intrusive ...

OCD can sometimes involve distressing, intrusive thoughts about suicide, typically distinct from genuine suicidal ideation. Treatment like exposure therapy can help individuals heal from harmful ...

Too often, people say they “let their intrusive thoughts win” after spontaneously dyeing their hair or making a late-night purchase. There’s a difference between impulsive and intrusive thoughts, ...