Intrusive Thoughts: Are your Thoughts Dangerous? 

Intrusive thoughts hit us at the worst… and strangest times. It’s like they know how to make a bad situation worse… and they can be SCARY!

Thoughts of hurting ourselves, escaping from this world or hurting others… can contribute to mental health issues.

Are these thoughts dangerous? Should you be worried about thinking thoughts such as these? These are very legitimate questions.

A lot of times are instinct is to stop these thoughts from happening because they are ‘wrong’. The question is can they be stopped from coming into your head or is trying to stop them just making them stronger and the effort is making your life worse?

Blurred image of a person with text: 'Are Your Dark Thoughts Dangerous? No... But!' and question mark icons on a teal background.
Text discussing dark thoughts, including violence, self-harm, running away, and unwanted urges. Emphasizes these thoughts can be scary. Image of person covering face with hands.
Poster with message about negative thoughts. Text: The reaction equals problem. We think dark thoughts are bad, similar to fire, needing immediate action. This reaction causes self-hate, strengthening dark thoughts. Solution: Change the mindset; problem is not the thought. Illustration of woman panicking over kitchen fire.
Silhouette of a person with a cyclical diagram about negative thoughts. Text includes: 'Dark thought pops in, scares us or we hate the thought, try anything to stop the thought, feel bad for thought/action, dark thoughts get stronger.' Title reads: 'Our reaction to them can be cyclical & problematic.'"
Silhouette of a head with cycle of dark thoughts and positive responses.
Text image discussing compassion and curiosity for thoughts, with a picture of a child hugging an adult, emphasizing acknowledgment of difficult emotions. Website: www.persistcounselling.ca.