Intrusive thoughts are distressing, repetitive, and unwanted mental events that can arise after major life changes or alongside mental health conditions. A person experienced intrusive thoughts following the birth of a second child and sought guidance from mental health professionals on managing them. The personal experience and expert recommendations were conveyed through a comic to illustrate symptoms and coping techniques. Recommended responses include recognizing the involuntary nature of intrusive thoughts, seeking professional help when needed, and using immediate crisis support by calling or texting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with a counselor.
Have you ever had scary thoughts pop into your head that you just couldn't stop thinking about? They're called intrusive thoughts, and they are distressing, repetitive and unwanted. They can be triggered by big life changes or mental health issues. NPR's senior visuals producer LA Johnson, who struggled with these thoughts after giving birth to her second child, talks to mental health professionals U'nek Clarke and Brooke Smith about how to manage them. She illustrates her experience and the expert advice in a comic.
Editor's note: This comic will discuss mental health topics and suicidal ideation. If you are in crisis, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with a counselor. This story was edited by Malaka Gharib. The visual editor is Beck Harlan. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org. Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit.
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