Sharing your intrusive thoughts with your therapist is an essential step toward receiving appropriate support and understanding. It's important to remember that therapists are professionals trained to deal with various mental health concerns, and they understand that intrusive thoughts are a common experience for many individuals. They won't judge you or think you are crazy for having these thoughts.
To discuss your intrusive thoughts with your therapist without feeling judged, consider the following steps:
Remember therapist confidentiality: Therapists are bound by strict confidentiality rules. Knowing this, you can feel more at ease sharing your thoughts, knowing that they won't be shared with others unless there's a risk of harm to yourself or others.
Normalize intrusive thoughts: Begin the conversation by acknowledging that many people experience intrusive thoughts from time to time. It's common and doesn't make you a bad person or insane. Everyone's mind can generate odd or distressing thoughts at times.
Describe your feelings: Focus on expressing how these intrusive thoughts make you feel rather than getting into the graphic details of the thoughts themselves. Let your therapist know that these thoughts cause you distress, anxiety, guilt, or shame, and you'd like help in managing them.
Explain the context: Share the situations or triggers that seem to prompt these intrusive thoughts. This can help your therapist understand your experiences better and tailor their approach accordingly.
Use "I" statements: Frame your experiences using "I" statements to take ownership of your emotions and thoughts. For example, say, "I've been experiencing intrusive thoughts that make me very anxious" instead of "There are these crazy thoughts in my head."
Talk about their impact on your life: Describe how these intrusive thoughts are interfering with your daily life, relationships, or overall well-being. This will help your therapist gauge the severity and offer appropriate support.
Ask for guidance: Let your therapist know that you want to work on managing these intrusive thoughts and ask for their guidance in dealing with them effectively.
Educate your therapist, if needed: If you feel your therapist might not be familiar with the concept of intrusive thoughts or is unfamiliar with your specific condition (if diagnosed), you can briefly explain what they are and how they relate to your condition.
Remember, therapists are there to support you, and they have likely encountered similar issues with other clients. By sharing your thoughts openly, you give them a clearer picture of what you're going through, enabling them to provide more effective assistance. Honesty and openness in therapy are crucial for making progress and developing a strong therapeutic relationship.