How do I deal with intrusive sexual thoughts?

Intrusive sexual thoughts are unwanted, disturbing sexual images or ideas that pop into your mind without invitation. These might involve inappropriate people, situations, or acts that go against your values and moral beliefs. The most important thing to understand is that having these thoughts doesn't make you a bad person, doesn't mean you want to act on them, and doesn't reflect your true character or desires. In fact, the distress you feel about these thoughts is evidence of your good moral character - people who would actually engage in inappropriate sexual behavior don't typically feel horrified by thoughts about it. These thoughts are like mental hiccups that everyone experiences to some degree, but they become problematic when you give them too much attention or finding meaning. The more you fight against intrusive thoughts or try to suppress them, the more persistent they become. Instead, practice acknowledging them without judgment - 'I'm having that thought again' - and then redirecting your attention to something else. Don't analyze the thoughts, try to figure out what they mean, or engage with them in any way. Treat them like background noise that you notice but don't respond to. If intrusive sexual thoughts are significantly interfering with your daily life or causing severe distress, Psychotherapy approaches like ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) can be very helpful.