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Why is my adolescent having these terrifying thoughts!?

Writer's picture: marcuslewtonmarcuslewton

Many parents often worry when their child, particularly their adolescent, tells them they are struggling with intrusive thoughts. These thoughts, often of a sexual or violent nature, can be distressing for both the child and the parent. Parents who are anxious are more likely to perceive these thoughts as a genuine concern or a signal of potential harm to others.


Intrusive thoughts are typically ego-dystonic, meaning they are at odds with the individual's personality, causing distress. For instance, a passive individual might have thoughts of violence, a religious person might have blasphemous thoughts, and someone who campaigns for equality might experience thoughts of discrimination. It's important to remember that while these thoughts are uncomfortable, they do not equate to actions.


The distress caused by intrusive thoughts in adolescents often stems from the meaning they assign to these thoughts. For example, thinking about attacking someone doesn't mean they desire or will carry out the act. Research shows that many people experience intrusive thoughts but are not bothered by them because they don't attribute any significant meaning to them (Rachman & de Silva, 1978).


The first step in helping adolescents is to normalize these thoughts and distinguish them from actions. Intrusive thoughts don't necessarily indicate Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), but they can be a sign, depending on the individual's response to these thoughts. If the adolescent starts avoiding activities or engaging in nonsensical rituals due to these thoughts, it might indicate a deeper issue affecting their daily functioning.


Parents should monitor how the adolescent reacts to these thoughts and their impact on daily life. This will indicate whether further professional advice is needed. As a psychodynamic-oriented clinical psychologist, I believe these thoughts can represent underlying conflicts, such as fear of life transitions or confronting new attractions.


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) are effective treatments for managing intrusive thoughts (Abramowitz, Taylor, & McKay, 2009). However, not all cases require such interventions. Parents should focus on containing and understanding these thoughts, being curious, and monitoring their impact without over-reassuring or criticizing.


In closing, dealing with intrusive thoughts in adolescents requires a balanced approach of understanding, monitoring, and, if necessary, professional intervention. Being a supportive and curious parent is often the best way to help a child navigate these challenging experiences.



REFERENCES


Rachman, S., & de Silva, P. (1978). Abnormal and normal obsessions. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 16(4), 233-248. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(78)90022-0


Abramowitz, J. S., Taylor, S., & McKay, D. (2009). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. The Lancet, 374(9688), 491-499. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60240-3



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