60 Characteristics of Complex Trauma - Part 35 - Intrusive Thoughts

Tim explores the development of Intrusive Thoughts as a result of Complex Trauma.

*****
One of the realities of those with Complex Trauma is that they struggle with Intrusive Thoughts. But does that mean they want to carry out the thought? Or is that just a myth that has developed? And why does one get Intrusive Thoughts; and what are practical tools for dealing with them?
*****
Join our YouTube channel!
Your membership supports Tim Fletcher Co.'s mission to change the landscape of recovery for all

Understand the Development of Complex Trauma in Your Life
Online Course: 12 Basic Needs

Discover how Addictions are Formed and Find Healthy Ways to Cope
Online Course: Addictions + Complex Trauma

Learn How to Parent Yourself and a Child with Complex Trauma
Online Course: Parent Bootcamp

Ready to Dig Deep and Learn Tools to Recover From the Negative Effects of Complex Trauma?
Check out LIFT, Our Most Popular Complex Trauma Recovery and Healing Program!
LIFT Live Online Learning
LIFT Self-Study

Connect with us:

*****
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:33 Definitions
04:43 Types of Intrusive Thoughts
08:10 Anxious Thinking
09:15 Causes of Intrusive Thoughts
11:23 How the Subconscious Mind Works
17:18 Triggers
19:08 Inner Critic or Parent's Voice
23:40 Purpose of Intrusive Thoughts
25:30 Why They Are So Upsetting
26:50 Rumination vs. Intrusive Thoughts
29:20 Treatment and Healing
32:37 What You Can Do
33:50 What Not to Do
36:15 The Marshmallow Study
38:39 The Rider and the Elephant
40:22 Conclusion

---
DISCLAIMER:
Tim Fletcher is not a doctor or licensed therapist. Tim’s videos are for informational purposes only to provide understanding, learning, and awareness about complex trauma. No information published here can replace professional evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment.

[TimFletcher]

💜 Please be aware of scammers impersonating Tim or the Tim Fletcher team! We do not provide any phone numbers in the comments and Tim does not chat privately with viewers. We will never ask you to join us on a messaging app. When in doubt, reach out to us via our website at timfletcher.ca. Stay safe and scam-aware. With Love, The Tim Fletcher Team.

[thinker]

Every three MONTHS? How about three times a day? Sooo glad I'm here!

[danae-rain]

I'm 64 and was a victim of child abuse. This is my major symptom right now. Endless rumination and intrusive thoughts. It's driving me mad.

[claudiaplotner]

I am so relieved to know this happens. It can be overwhelming....down right paralyzing...scary.

[dailylifeexperiences]

Thank you Jesus
This is so on/in time!

[gleeessentris]

I struggled with this since last year and I have been through a lot of trauma. It feels so lonely. I'm healing. Thank you for sharing this freely to the world. It's like I don't feel as alone. ❤

[valerieparris]

Learning to let them roll or bounce off and not let them make you feel bad is part of overcoming these thoughts. Recognizing they are not yours is also important to letting go of guilt from them.

[howardbeale]

My intrusive thoughts stopped as soon as i did EMDR therapy

[phunkylollypop]

Deeply informative and thought provoking as always. Thank you, Tim.

[dreww]

A big thank you, Tim, for your videos! They are so helpful!

[pixie]

Definitely multiple times a day, realising how much worse than I thought my ex husband was. Struggling with the guilt of staying too long

[dailylifeexperiences]

I see areas that I've overcome and grown in many ways. However, some of this is relevant now.

[alexandrugheorghe]

This is so totally me. Thanks for normalizing it (not that there's anything normal about it).

[emilykellen]

Try about 20 times a day. I have been through unbelievable trauma so it makes sense. This helps so much for me to understand why this happens. I always knew there was an explanation for it but couldn’t find anything like this to explain.

[brythefry]

Dude... this is what no one ever understood . I didnt know others would. Know about ut or talk about it

[susannluckmann]

Most thoughts that seem to torture me come from "the enemy" and- if I notice- I thank God for his mercy and I am glad, that he forgave my sins. If I don't notice on time, they can ruin my day, because it turns into a vicious circle. Make it a habit to thank God for His way to help us.
The devil is a cunning creature and all he wants is to torture our souls and pull us away from God.
Hold on to the Lord Jesus Christ and find peace in Him.

[rationalevidence]

Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.

[Lyrielonwind]

Putting other people's problems first is what I just found out in the dream that I woke up with today; some unknown person told me about a song that he couldn't remember the authors so, after he sang to me a little it resonated and I started to search on the Internet but everything I was finding it was in chinese. I can't understand chinese! I was in my dreams in a loop hole about something it wasn't even my problem 😮. Frustration woke me up and I was thinking how stupid that was I was losing my rest with that. 😢

[epiphilosophy]

"Man, like every living being, thinks continually without knowing it; the thinking that rises to consciousness is only the smallest part of all this--the most superficial and worst part--for only this conscious thinking takes the form of words, which is to say signs of communication..." - Nietzsche (GS 354)

[Betternow]

I really needed this video. I believed these thoughts and it has effected my life.