Others seem to know it’s “not real.”

I’ve had the same themes (all in the taboo pedophilia/harm/incest/bestiality/etc. realm, with one the worst of them all) since I was a child. They never change. And I hear a lot of people with OCD saying, “I know it isn’t real, I just can’t stop thinking about it!” For me, it isn’t like that. My themes feel 100% real, and they don’t shift around. And sometimes reading things that other people with OCD have written where they say that “I know it’s not real” line, or hearing people with OCD talk about how frequently their themes change, makes me feel isolated even within the OCD community. Sometimes that makes me feel like I’m an even worse case, or am “different,” andy themes are just a real thing for me, like OCD likes to taunt us sufferers about. I’m just looking for some listening ears, and maybe some people who understand the OCD experience that I have, that sometimes seems a little different from other people’s.

mostdope42

113d ago

i totally get that! i think everyone is different- i’m sure there are people out there who have less attachment to their intrusive thoughts and ability to see above them is greater! but also, sometimes i’ve found people will say that as a form of self reassurance. i think to some extent, almost everyone with ocd is so imprisoned by their minds because they DO feel real. point is, some people may just say “i know this isn’t real” because they’ve maybe performed some compulsions that gave them that false sense of certainty. but that doesn’t mean that you are “worse” than others just cause you’re open about how you truly don’t feel it’s 100% not real/true/accurate. the ocd community can be so so amazing, but we do definitely have a habit of triggering each other sometimes. i say, take the good away from the community! you are surely not alone in that feeling of like “this feels so so real right now”, i know i’m in that boat probably 95% of the time. but you don’t need certainty of if you’re a worse or better case of ocd to feel like you’re worthy of help, i hope you know that. you are more than this condition!!

username255

113d ago

it definitely is a form of self reassurance because i used to do it.

Intrusive Thots

113d ago

Feels real asf too me. But there lies the enemy, a subtle and overthrown word but substantial to recovery, “feel”.

Intrusive Thots

113d ago

Meant to say “to” and “too” but the “me” made it grammatically incorrect.

cmac1339

113d ago

I’ve had themes in the past where i was like “this is not even a theme this is just reality”. And I’ve gotten past them since but yes sometimes things seem to “become” reality beyond ocd’s borders. But they really extend infinitely which is what I’m learning.

cmac1339

113d ago

I want to clarify: it’s OCD’s borders that extend forever. Your mind can convince you anything which is why it can be so powerful

catherine !

113d ago

im the same exact way. you are definitely not alone!

ItsmeMay

113d ago

Same

aquarius_grl🤍

113d ago

I legit understand this to a t.. I wish I could be so confident to say for a fact that “I know this isn’t me” because my brains like convinced that it’s real because it feels 100% real like you said.

Anonymous

113d ago

Thanks for all the comments and the camaraderie, y’all. It means a lot.