How to deal with the unwanted thoughts intruding on your day

Plus more health news | Email not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( [Health Matters]( ["Intrusive thoughts" are trending on TikTok. Here's what the term really means]( By Angela Haupt Health Editor Have you ever been flying down the highway and suddenly envisioned veering directly off the overpass? Or admiring the view from a beautiful oceanside cliff—when you abruptly thought about pushing your partner off? It might feel strange to admit, but most of us have had similar variations of these unwanted thoughts, images, or urges. They’re called intrusive thoughts, and most of the time, they’re perfectly normal, experts told me. They’re also [trending]( [on TikTok]( right now—so I decided to find out more about why we experience them and what they mean. Among the most intriguing takeaways: - Most of us realize our intrusive thoughts are like mental noise, and quickly let them go. But some people become tormented by the possibility that these thoughts are true or will cause them to act in a certain way. Those with obsessive-compulsive disorder, in particular, tend to experience intrusive thoughts more intensely than others and have a harder time shaking them off. - One of the biggest misconceptions about intrusive thoughts is that people have no choice but to give in to them, as though they’re commands. But a thought is just a thought, and most people don’t act on them. - If intrusive thoughts are causing a great deal of distress or interfering with your ability to function, it’s time to seek help. Research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment option—and can help people learn not to assign meaning to these unwanted thoughts. [READ MORE]( Share This Story What Else to Read [Want to Predict the Next Big COVID-19 Variant to Hit the U.S.? Look to Airports]( By Alice Park Most COVID-19 precautions have shut down, but the U.S. is still quietly tracking new variants at international airports. [Read More »]( [Religion Is an Ex I’m Still Trying to Leave Behind]( By Michelle Dowd High-control, high-demand religion doesn’t let you go—even after you’ve physically left, writes Michelle Dowd. [Read More »]( [How Technology Can Help Us Become More Human]( By Andrew Serazin How do we create, finance, and incentivize the development of technologies to proactively support human development? [Read More »]( [You’re Not Imagining It—Job Hunting is Getting Worse]( By Alana Semuels Companies are putting up more hurdles for prospective candidates, lengthening the process. [Read More »]( [How to Cool Down When It’s Really Hot Outside]( By Angela Haupt Try dousing your clothes with water. [Read More »]( ONE LAST READ [Fentanyl-tainted pills are everywhere in Mexico]( Earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times found that pharmacies in northwest Mexico were selling counterfeit pills contaminated with methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other opioids. Now, following a four-month-long investigation, Connor Sheets and Keri Blakinger report that the problem is much more widespread than originally believed. Potentially deadly counterfeit pills are common in pharmacies across all of Mexico—nearly every Adderall pill the reporters purchased over the counter, for example, was a counterfeit laced with substances like methamphetamine. [Read More »]( --------------------------------------------------------------- If you were forwarded this and want to sign up to receive it daily, [click here](. Today's newsletter was written by Angela Haupt and edited by Elijah Wolfson. [Want more from TIME? Sign up for our other newsletters.]( [Subscribe to TIME]( TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Connect with TIME via [Facebook]( | [Twitter]( | [Newsletters]( [UNSUBSCRIBE]( [PRIVACY POLICY]( [YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS]( TIME Customer Service, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508 Questions? Contact health@time.com Copyright © 2023 TIME USA, LLC. All rights reserved.