Intrusive and obsessive thoughts, to me, are not always the same. After reading your post, I wondered if there might be a trauma lurking back there somewhere triggering PTSD symptoms, of which "intrusive" thoughts is prominent. This plagues me from time to time in the way Myzen describes. But "obsessive" thoughts referred to in another response, seem to me to be different.

So, as to intrusive thoughts, I have found no way to "stop" them, but I "deal" with them pretty much the way Myzen describes. Another analogy to the parrot, might be to reverse the energy as in the Aikido principle of self defense. It means that instead of resisting the thought, stiff arming it away, to let it be, embrace it as it were, and it will move on on its own sooner than if I struggle vainly against it. Sometimes it means I can't do the thing today that is triggering the situation. Just depends.

As to your first question, do other bi polars suffer from these, well my oh my yes. Comparing notes with other bi polars here has shown me just how chameleon like this disorder is, it seems to be able to carry symptoms from all the other columns. Ah, yes, we got the full meal deal to be sure.

Hope that's of at least slightly more than zero use to you. There is such good support here, you've landed in a good spot to get your mind around the nature of the beast. Welcome.