- Username
- 6756
- Date posted
- 2y ago
I’ve struggled with this type of Existential OCD before and still stuggle. It’s a tough thought process that mixes in with my suicidal OCD theme petsonally, so I can relate with the theme mixing in with your harm ocd. Just want you to know you’re not the only one stiggling with thus type
I struggle a lot with this as well and it helps me to think 1) "so what" and 2) that not every potential "what if" scenario is bad. Not every thought that pops up has to have a negative feeling attached to it. Let's just say for the heck of it that nothing is real and this is a simulation (which is extremely unlikely, but let's just pretend that it's true). That thought isn't required to be scary or bad. In this life, or "simulation," I have had many laughs, lots of delicious meals, I haven't died once (lol), and I've met so many kind and loving people and I'm willing to bet that you've experienced some of these joys as well no matter how small they may be. On the extreme off chance that life as we know it is not real, that does not inherently mean that whatever "life" is is a bad or harmful thing. I don't know for certain if everything is real or not, but so what? I have enjoyed so much of what I've experienced and I will continue to do so. And so can you, friend. I feel your struggle, but it really does get easier. I've had the same thoughts you have and you're not alone. You will have better days.
I experience the same thing. I’ve gotten so much better and one of the biggest things that helped me just saying “so what” go all of those thoughts. Accepting that I literally will never know the answer. It all might be real, it all might be fake. I’ll never know. And it doesn’t really matter. I just try to shrug the thoughts off as if they were a high dude at a party trying to get me to go down some trippy rabbit hole with him. Maybe he’s right, maybe he’s just high. Who’s to say? Definitely not me so I don’t give power to the thoughts or waste my energy finding answers to things I will never have certainty about. Hang in there. I know it can be so so terrifying. Just know there is hope. If I can handle these thoughts better, you can too.
This is from an article about the GOOD PLACE- a show on NBC. Solipsism (thinking only you exist) "pretty juvenile" form of philosophy, and that she might as well be nice to people in case she's wrong and her entire reality isn't a figment of her imagination. "Why not treat them better just in case they're real?" he says. "What do you have to lose by treating people with kindness and respect?" She's receptive: "Keep talking, probably-fake-but-maybe-real philosopher man." Always, it's just a silly skit from a TV show but I found it comforting.
You’re definitely not alone, dealing with both themes myself!
I am dealing with the existential theme and have been since June. It’s what finally pushed me to properly get diagnosed and start medication. Please know you’re not alone! When I start to feel unreal and have derelization and depersonalization it’s horrible. My psychiatrist said to try “grounding techniques” note 3 things you can smell, see, and touch
I'm currently experiencing really bad Existential OCD and I'm looking for ways to practice ERP for it. My intrusive thoughts are "What if life isn't real" What if you don't really exist" "What if your family is just imagined" "What if it's all pointless" "What if life is just a dream". I'm horrified of believing these thoughts and I'm afraid ERP will convince me that theyre they're true. I'm reaching out in hopes of tips and possible ideas and scripts for my OCD. Thank you.
Do people with existential ocd have this terrifying fear that people aren’t real and then they start to feel detached or dissociate only making it worse??? Along with this, do you fear that even though people can relate to you, what if that’s what you’re supposed to hear to help you move on, but really what your fearing is true??? I feel like I’m going insane. I sometimes get these questions, but they go away within minutes. However, these have been staying because I started asking the question “well if people aren’t real then hurt them”. I have other things ruminating in my head, but they’re either too hard to explain or will literally make me sound like I’m going crazy.
The thoughts I’ve been stuggling most recently is ”is the world real or am i really in a simulation” (solipsism and such) of course i dont truly belive in it but it feels impossible to disprove, and the thought of being completely alone distresses me greatly. I know i shouldnt ruminate but it feels nearly impossible to not when everything i exprience is in doubt. It also relates to my original harm-ocd. Anyone who can relate?
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