- Date posted
- 3y
- Date posted
- 3y
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
- Date posted
- 3y
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.
- Date posted
- 3y
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.
- Date posted
- 3y
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.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
You’re definitely not alone, dealing with both themes myself!
- Date posted
- 3y
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
Related posts
- Date posted
- 23w
I’m really struggling with this theme because it can make me feel “fake” and it creates doubts that the world around me isn’t real or it’s a simulation? I’m really trying to expose myself but even the possibility makes me incredibly afraid. It even plays into my suicidal ocd as well and makes me afraid that my life would be miserable if this was true. I know how ocd works and I know not to fully believe that. But at the same time, I am trapped in doubt and fear. How could I possibly accept this? Will I ever see the world or life the same again? (Don’t answer that I realize that’s reassurance). Idk this theme is so ass.
- Date posted
- 18w
This is my first post, so I apologize if the formatting is weird. I experience existential ocd I always struggled as a kid but learned more and more how to manage with school and such forcing me to learn how, now I experience a lot of overwhelming intrusions from when I wake up to when I go to bed (simply because I live and work in the same place it gets cabin feverish) but now more often going out maybe it’s just paranoia, I walk into a place and each person comes with a story immediately, every piece of trash on the floor, every piece of produce, each isle is a brand new way I could get into a life altering situation. I’ve managed well enough but sometimes I just completely lose my original objective and just leave or I’ll wanna leave my house but everything that goes with it and that could happen pops up and I just won’t go. It’s started to become avoidant behavior. Any help or similar stories? I just feel like I’m going crazy but my thoughts are so scattered and immediate it’s hard to break the habit and not spin a story. Thank yall!
- Date posted
- 15w
Been struggling with existential OCD lately. Very hard to describe the thoughts/feelings, but it is a constant feeling of being stuck in my head. Like what is consciousness and where do I think from? Like I think it’s OCD, maybe it is maybe it isn’t. But if it is, what would be good ERP exercises? Just existing (lol)? And what would be my response prevention? I’m not even sure what mental compulsions I may be doing.
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