To think I am not the only one who thinks about doing stupid things?

[TrialOfStyle]

I don’t know if there’s a name for it, but that weird urge to do something really foolish, even though you know it’s stupid.

I was just using the shears and was thinking about putting my tongue on the blade (I’m obviously not going to do that), but these odd thoughts just pop up. I’m in no way thinking about self harm or even feel low, so I can’t really explain it. Does anyone else have these odd urges or should I be worried?

I wonder if it’s one of those things that happens because the brain doesn’t “hear” negatives so when you say don’t think about a pink elephant, all you can think about is a pink elephant! Your brain doesn’t hear the “don’t”. Maybe when you are up high you automatically think “don’t jump” as a safety thing and then your brain hears “jump”??

Phew. Not just me then. That's a relief.

I always want to throw things in water.
At uni, there was a large pond like thing that I could walk through every day. How I managed to avoid lobbing my keys or phone in, I'll never know.

I'm surprised its not already mentioned...but in the supermarket occasionally feel the urge to punch cakes crush things like bread or, particularly around Easter, the chocolate eggs, especially the ones you can see in the plastic.

I do this all the time.. so glad its not just me! as i was almost beginning to think i might be losing the plot.

Main one ive always done throughout my life is avoid standing on edges of high things like cliffs, as i wonder what it would feel like to 'fly' and dont always trust myself not to just have a see..

Another one is if im talking to someone i sometimes wonder what they'd do if i just reached up and poked them in the face

When a fast non-stopping train whizzes past the station and I’m onthe platform I think I wonder how much the initial impact would hurt if I stepped off the platform

Another one is if im talking to someone i sometimes wonder what they'd do if i just reached up and poked them in the face

I get similar in that if I am behind someone on an escalator, I feel the urge to punch them in the back of the head.

@BurgundyBells

I used to be terrified I’d shout something during a play at the theatre. The temptation is so great

Or at a funeral. I have this horrible feeling that I may laugh or shout something out.

I had this so badly at my grandma's funeral. Imagined myself shouting "SHE'S NOT DEAD" or suddenly throwing my hymn book at the vicar. And then it made me want to laugh and I had to pull myself together. I have a real issue with occasions that are serious, my imp brain REALLY wants to do something stupid (to lighten the mood? Self-protection mechanism? Who knows) and then the thought of it makes me want to laugh, I absolutely hate funerals because of it. Not that anyone likes funerals, but I find them really difficult because even those of my closest relatives I picture myself doing something stupid and it gives me nervous giggles and then I look like a TERRIBLE PERSON.

Also, yy to throwing your keys. The supermarket near me you have to park on the roof and then go down, and if I park near one of the edges I always think "...what if I just yeeted my keys off the side?".

I’m glad this isn’t me. So many of these are relatable. I think my other big one is since I was younger, I’ve always wanted to open the car door whilst it’s moving. I wonder if this a throwback to being told I can’t, so now I just want to.

Most of them seem to be quite gruesome and I think that might be too many horror movies.

Also the make a loud noise in a quiet environment. I have never done it, but sometimes I’ve just coughed to check my voice still works - obviously I can’t do that now as I’d terrify everyone around me.

I had this so badly at my grandma's funeral. Imagined myself shouting "SHE'S NOT DEAD" or suddenly throwing my hymn book at the vicar. And then it made me want to laugh and I had to pull myself together.

Not the same scenario, but definitely had a thought like that and then found it funny and had to really fight to stop myself laughing (usually in something awkward like a big corporate meeting).

I was out for a run the other day and saw two old chaps standing having a chat on a street corner. One of them was holding one of those huge trays of two dozen eggs and I really REALLY wanted to run across the road, smash them out of his hand, and just run on. I’ve thought about it at least once a day since then!

I always also want to pop a piece of raw chicken in my mouth when I’m chopping it. I think it’s because it looks like Turkish Delight.

Everytime I shave my legs I imagine running the razor over my teeth
Grating cheese I always think about my nail catching
I get a lot of intrusive thoughts about my kids i posted them on another thread recently. Falling from a height, under trains, into water etc. Driving ones such as driving over the edge of bridges, imaging closing my eyes, letting go of the steering wheel when going round fast bends. Also left foot braking which I read about on a thread about stupid stuff you've done recently, I really want to know what happens

@GravityFalls I’ve done that with a piece of raw beef mince. I kind of thought about how it would taste when cooked and just popped it in - it wasn’t until it hit my tongue I realised what had just happened. I’m not sure that’s the same intrusiveness rather than being absent minded though

I also worry I might randomly hit or spit on random people's faces in shops etc. I've never hit anyone in my life and I hate spitting .

Yeah I have these. Jumping off cliff, driving over motorway bridge or just throwing my glass of wine at the wall. Very random and would never actually do.

Ah, good old intrusive thoughts, I have to really take care not to get anxious with them. Before I understood this was a thing I really used to worry I was on a one way ticket to insanity. My DD now struggles with them and I'm so thankful for her sake I can empathise and help her.

@PivotPivotPivottt

Everytime I shave my legs I imagine running the razor over my teeth Grating cheese I always think about my nail catching I get a lot of intrusive thoughts about my kids i posted them on another thread recently. Falling from a height, under trains, into water etc. Driving ones such as driving over the edge of bridges, imaging closing my eyes, letting go of the steering wheel when going round fast bends. Also left foot braking which I read about on a thread about stupid stuff you've done recently, I really want to know what happens

I am NOT proud of this but I tried left foot braking once while sat in very slow moving traffic... it scared the absolute shit out of me. Was in no real danger, traffic was stop-start and only going a few miles an hour, but the JOLT... holy shit, I decided I'd save idle curiosity for when I wasn't driving a tonne of metal.

Intrusive thoughts...... I thought these were normal because I've had them for as long as I can remember, my psychotherapist disagreed lol but I do have PTSD and GAD.

@CombatBarbie I would have agreed with your psychotherapist before posting here but it would seem they are really common judging by the responses.

Another one is if im talking to someone i sometimes wonder what they'd do if i just reached up and poked them in the face

I've done that to DS in the past. I couldn't resist it Luckily he's used to me being weird!

OMG all my life I thought it was just me! Thanks for starting this thread OP. The human brain is amazing and weird.

Yes - throwing keys in locked bins and dropping my phone in water - both common thoughts. I purposefully do not stand near to cliff edges or great heights as the urge to look down compels the thought of letting go and falling.
I have done the ‘open packet/ drop food straight in bin’ before. Decided it was cutting out the middle men of cooking and eating it.

Oh yes. I thought I’d read on here before that it was to do with your brain managing risks.

I don't think all intrusive thoughts are an 'urge' to do something though... mine are more literally just realistic, uncontrollable 'thoughts' of doing it and what would happen.

I used to have a lot about the dc when small, mainly about injuring them.

Like when they're toddlers and going down the stairs would take ages - what would happen if I just reached in front of me and shoved them down the stairs headfirst? My horrified brain played the whole scene out in front of me and it made me feel sick.

I've never had the slightest 'urge' to hurt the dc though. It seems to be my self-destructive brain forcing me to think about the worst case scenario.

I have these and thought I was very much alone. Mine are quite dark, it's like I have a moment of zero feelings/emotions and sometimes involves others. I want to just hurt them or me.