what is impulsive thoughts

Impulsive thoughts are ideas or images that pop into ones mind spontaneously and are considered "taboo". They can be as innocuous as slamming your face into a beautiful, expensive wedding cake or throwing your cell phone out of the window. Other times, their content can be very similar to those of intrusive thoughts. Everyone experiences impulsive thoughts, usually starting in childhood. A key difference between intrusive and impulsive thoughts is the effect they have on the individual. If a random, "inappropriate" thought enters your mind and you are able to move on from it relatively quickly without significant anxiety, chances are it is an impulsive thought. On the other hand, intrusive thoughts are unwelcome, involuntary thoughts, images, or unpleasant ideas that may become an obsession, are upsetting or distressing, and can feel difficult to manage or eliminate. When such thoughts are associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Tourettes syndrome (TS), depression, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and sometimes attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the thoughts may become paralyzing, anxiety-provoking, or persistent. Intrusive thoughts may involve violent obsessions about hurting others or themselves.