How do you know if you have OCD or if you just are very afraid of an epiphany you don’t want to have?

Okay. I have the same problem. Someone told me that the best thing to do is trying not to search and ruminate for an answer (like the origin of the tought, the "why", what do you really want and what is ocd based)... don't answer!!! In my experience, was also useful using my feelings as an answer! If I felt anxious, or really really stressed; or about to cry; when thinking about something or answering a doubt; i know it was ocd! I mean like, if someone ask you if you want a glass of water (for example) you would just say yes or no! Without even thinking or ruminating! And I'm sure that every decision should be like that! If bad feelings starts to kick in, must be ocd!

good question i wish i knew too

This sounds like a reassurance-seeking question. Here’s the thing: someone in denial has no clue they’re in denial. But I’ve struggled with this same thing. I have pedophilic OCD and a precious little daughter, and you’d better believe I have asked myself this question a million times. I am a year and a half into my OCD recovery now, and I no longer give this question space to exist in my head. This is a reassurance-seeking question. 💛

I would say to try your best to not analyze this as it can lead to emotional reasoning. I read an article yesterday by a Dr. Greenberg about rumination and it really covers how even asking things like this are typically forms of rumination and analyzing. So instead how about you sit with the doubt, discomfort, anxiety, and get back to whatever it is you were doing before. Were you reading, eating, exercising?… good, go and do something for yourself, not to avoid thoughts…but to focus on what actually matters to you.