Intrusive Thoughts: Signs of Mental Health Issues in Students

Mental disorders

Hello, doctor.
I would like to ask you about whether I might have a mental illness.
I am currently a student and do not experience much stress.
I generally have a kind attitude towards others, as my family and friends have mentioned.
My life is quite ordinary, but for some reason, over the past year or two, I have been experiencing negative thoughts while doing things.
For example, when chatting with friends, I sometimes have violent thoughts.
When I hold something I like, I think about breaking it in half or smashing it.
When I see a stranger, I might think about breaking their neck.
After breaking up with my first girlfriend, I was crying while holding her one moment, and then the next moment I turned around and smiled, feeling a strange sense of pleasure that wasn't happiness.
It feels like there is another person inside me forcing me to do things I don't want to do.
I consider myself very rational and constantly think through my actions, which is why I don't engage in criminal behavior.
However, these two types of thoughts create a sense of discomfort when I suppress them, making me want to clench my fists in an attempt to relax.
While riding my bike, I find myself unintentionally having conversations with myself, and I even give them names.
I can imagine their appearances, and recently there has even been a female presence.
During these conversations, I unconsciously adopt a more delicate and softer tone, which leads me to stay awake for twenty-four hours, making myself extremely tired, and I tend to engage less in self-dialogue.
I am uncertain and reluctant to admit that I might have mental issues.
Could it be that I am just imagining these people and that I will forget about it after a while, and everything will be fine?

Jeff, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2010/09/29

Dr. Su Zongwei reply Psychiatry

Although I cannot make a definitive diagnosis without an in-person examination, there is certainly an issue with your condition, and you are likely unwell.
Please seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Reply Date: 2010/09/29

More Info

It's important to acknowledge that the experiences you're describing—intrusive thoughts, feelings of disconnection from your emotions, and the presence of violent thoughts—can be signs of underlying mental health issues. While you may feel that your life is relatively stress-free and that you have a kind disposition, the emergence of these thoughts and feelings suggests that there may be more going on beneath the surface.

Intrusive thoughts are unwanted thoughts that can cause significant distress. They can manifest in various forms, including violent or aggressive thoughts, which can be particularly alarming. It's crucial to understand that having these thoughts does not mean you will act on them or that you are a bad person. Many individuals experience intrusive thoughts, and they can be a symptom of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or other mental health conditions.

The feelings of detachment you describe, such as feeling like there is another person inside you compelling you to think or act in ways that are contrary to your nature, can also be concerning. This could indicate a dissociative experience, where you feel disconnected from your thoughts, feelings, or sense of self. This is often a coping mechanism in response to stress or trauma, allowing individuals to distance themselves from overwhelming emotions.

Your experiences of having conversations with imagined figures and the fatigue that follows suggest that you may be engaging in a form of self-soothing or coping strategy. While this can be a way to manage stress, it can also lead to further confusion and distress if it becomes a predominant way of interacting with your thoughts and feelings.

It's commendable that you are seeking to understand your mental health better. The first step in addressing these concerns is to reach out for professional help. A mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, can provide a safe space for you to explore these thoughts and feelings without judgment. They can help you differentiate between normal stress responses and symptoms that may require intervention.

Therapy can be particularly beneficial in helping you develop coping strategies and techniques to manage intrusive thoughts. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one effective approach that focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors. Mindfulness and grounding techniques can also help you stay present and reduce the power of intrusive thoughts.

If you find that these thoughts are becoming more frequent or distressing, or if they begin to interfere with your daily life, it is essential to seek help sooner rather than later. Mental health is just as important as physical health, and addressing these issues early can lead to better outcomes.

In summary, while you may not currently feel overwhelmed by stress, the presence of intrusive thoughts and feelings of disconnection are significant enough to warrant professional attention. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and there are resources available to support you in navigating these challenges. You deserve to feel at peace with your thoughts and emotions, and with the right support, it is entirely possible to achieve that.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Intrusive Thoughts: Why We Struggle to Control Negative Thinking

I am currently a fourth-year student, and I feel that I study very hard. However, I also feel a lot of pressure and am constantly tense in everything I do. I hope to achieve good grades, but since the third year of junior high, I have been unable to overcome my psychological barr...

Dr. Ding Shuyan reply Psychiatry
Hello! First of all, I want to encourage you; you are a good person with a delicate mindset and the ability for self-reflection. The competitive mentality is something everyone experiences and is not pathological. The struggle between opposing thoughts is the source of our suffer...

Understanding Complex Mental Health Issues in Adolescents: A Personal Journey

Hello, doctor. Since I was in the ninth grade, I have been experiencing several psychological issues, and now that I'm approaching my second year of high school, they have worsened and are starting to affect my daily life, which is why I am reaching out for help. Starting ...

Dr. Wu Enliang reply Psychiatry
It appears that the individual is experiencing significant anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. It is recommended to seek treatment at a mental health facility. Dr. Wu En-liang.

Understanding and Managing Anxiety: A Guide for Students Facing OCD Symptoms

Hello, Doctor: (The content is quite long) I am a second-year high school student, and I have been experiencing symptoms for almost six months that feel like obsessive thoughts, but I'm not sure. My symptoms are as follows: PS: I know cheating is wrong, and I no longer do ...

Dr. Huang Xiaoxian reply Psychiatry
Dear Johnny, thank you for your question. It sounds like these symptoms have been troubling you for a long time. Often, the origins of obsessive-compulsive symptoms may stem from certain life events, but over time, more and more factors can influence you, leading to feelings of i...

Struggling with School: Coping Strategies for Mental Health Challenges

Hello Dr. Yeh, I've been feeling really down lately. My learning ability seems to be worse than others; while my classmates grasp concepts quickly, I often find myself needing to ask the teacher for clarification, which has led to some of them viewing me as bothersome. I&#x...

Dr. Ye Baozhuan reply Psychiatry
Social Marginalization: 1. You made a mistake with your first statement; those who ask teachers when they don't understand actually have stronger learning abilities than others. It's only those who pretend to understand when they don't that are truly foolish. "...