Life Kit: Health How to deal with intrusive thoughts
Aug 25, 2025
LA Johnson, NPR's Senior Visuals producer, opens up about her personal battle with intrusive thoughts after childbirth. She explores the origins of these distressing and unwanted thoughts, shedding light on their prevalence, especially among new parents. The conversation emphasizes the importance of seeking support and employing grounding techniques for managing these thoughts. Johnson advocates for acceptance over rejection, suggesting that embracing intrusive thoughts can lead to emotional control and reduced suffering, allowing individuals to navigate life's challenges more effectively.
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Postpartum Bath Scare
- LA Johnson had a vivid suicidal intrusive thought while taking a bath four days after giving birth.
- She told her family and called her midwife, then arranged therapy and psychiatric care.
Intrusive Thoughts Are Very Common
- Brooke Smith notes that intrusive thoughts are extremely common, affecting roughly 80–90% of people.
- The form (distressing, unwanted, repetitive) matters more than content for diagnosis.
Worry Targets What You Value
- Brooke Smith suggests intrusive thoughts often target what we care about because the mind latches on to important areas.
- Our brains regurgitate picked-up images and memories, which can make protective concerns feel vivid and alarming.