Relapse -Existential OCD Help

Hi all! I’m experiencing a bit of a relapse after thinking I had it all figured out! I think that I was actually avoiding a lot of things and not really putting that much pressure on myself to do ERP and accept uncertainty that I allowed what was a small ball of thoughts to turn into a life shattering obsession again. I’m feeling a little discouraged, and constantly questioning the meaning of existence again. This always happens when life gets hard and I lose my footing, I question the whole world and become dangerously obsessive and it makes me suicidal. I also feel like I forgot all my tools, or I’m scared that my ERP skills won’t work anymore because I thought I got rid of it so that means it’s back to stay. I just was wondering if I could have some encouragement and reminders on how to best approach this situation and stay positive. No reassurance pls 🙏🏼

Username: Madison the ERP NinjaMadison the ...

Date posted: 2y ago

My therapist told me it’s impossible to go back to square one. You have all the tools! Remind yourself that recover isn’t linear—the important thing is to keep moving forward. The recovery road is full of bumps, but as you keep going, the bumps smooth out. You will come out of this flare! Flares come and go! Ride the OCD and anxiety wave and keep using your tools even if it’s hard. AND: treat yourself to something. You’re working really hard. The more you reward yourself, the better your mood will be and the easier it will be to fight OCD ❤️

Username: SheebySheeby

Date posted: 2y ago

@Madison the ERP Ninja Ah!! Thank you! I definitely need to remember that the road to recovery is bumpy and not perfect… and to treat myself! Thank you seriously so much. 💕

Username: Madison the ERP NinjaMadison the ...

Date posted: 2y ago

@NOCD Advocate - Charlee You got this!!! ❤️

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 2y ago

I think the point is not to get rid of it but to just face the fear and sit in the discomfort for as long as you can. Getting rid of it attitude will only make it harder from what I’ve seen. Healing is not linear either. A bad day doesn’t define your life.

Username: SheebySheeby

Date posted: 2y ago

@Anonymous That’s true. I’m constantly convinced that the goal is to rid myself of the thoughts and anxiety, and not focusing enough on acceptance. It’s a hard way to transition my brain back into just accepting the thoughts and discomfort instead of trying to get rid of it. 😞 but thank you, I needed that reminder.

Username: julierobynjjulierobynj

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

As a fellow existential OCD struggler (I’m trying to get away from considering myself a “sufferer” of it, since I know I’m not suffering, but struggling!), you are so not alone. I recently relapsed in my existential obsessions after a few years of remission, and it hit me like a ton of bricks too. Remember, it’s a journey, and sometimes it’s two steps forward with one step back. Dust off those knees, and jump back onto that ERP horse! 😎🤠🫶🏻

Username: SheebySheeby

Date posted: 2y ago

@julierobynj I love that you said you’re not suffering but struggling! Removing that personal identity from it. Hearing your words & reading some of your story on your profile honestly made me feel really encouraged to keep pushing. Two steps forward and one step back… I love that so much. God Bless🤍💕

Username: emma18emma18

Date posted: 2y ago

I’m going through the exact same thing with same themes. I’m worried I’ve been approaching it all wrong. I definitely need to work on accepting it and learning not to despise it so much but it’s hard! I wish you tons of luck and know that you’re never alone!

Username: SheebySheeby

Date posted: 2y ago

@emma18 Thank you! I get stuck in the approach too. I get lost in doing ERP for the sheer goal of ridding myself of the thoughts… then I realize that in itself is toxic. So confusing sometimes. Best of luck to you as well. We got this 🙏🏼

Username: Dee CDee C

Date posted: 2y ago

I used to love using my imagination. It gave me an escape from all of the everyday BS. I sometimes wonder if that’s what ocd latched onto? Since it’ll latch onto anything! Just my 2 cents.

Username: Halima 🧕🏼

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

General

Hi everyone, how are you doing? It’s been a really long time since I’ve posted on here. I still remember at the beginning of this year (in January) I had gotten my ocd diagnosis. After that I did ERP and I did get better thankfully. Started doing mindfulness and being present in the moment. 11 months on I feel better than I was at the beginning. Yes there are times where it is tough, but after the rain there is always a sunshine Right now I feel like I’m relapsing, but the truth is ocd isn’t something that goes away… it’s something that will always be a part of you. You just need to learn to accept it. Sometimes when we get better we forget that ocd is still there, that’s when we get caught off guard. This is a reminder to myself first, always continue to be consistent with ERP. By the way, has anyone got any advice for when ocd themes/symptoms resurface again? Thanks!

Username: Skai

Date posted: 1y ago

ERP for Existential OCD

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.

"Pure" OCD

Username: alissaa

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

First relapse in years please help :(

Feeling super overwhelmed.. I think I’m having an OCD flare up but I can’t even figure out what the theme or compulsions are. I was diagnosed with OCD in April 2019 and was in therapy until February 2020 and then only had maintenance visits every few months up until 2021. My OCD was good so I barely ever did ERP but now I feel like I dont remember any of the tools/how to deal with it or anything that I learned. I recently left a psychologically abusive relationship with a narcissist (am working with a therapist specializing in that) and the stress of that is what has caused my OCD to flare up. It started with fears of my family members dying (not even at all related to my break up) and just obsessing over the situation and how to heal from it. Now I’ve been having insomnia, and my OCD has latched onto it as a fear and I’ll panic and cry in the night when I can’t sleep and then obsess over it in the day. Then I obsess over the fact that I’m stressed which makes me even more stressed. I tried doing ERP by writing my fears down in “maybe” statements i.e. “maybe I’ll never sleep again, maybe I’ll lose my mind” etc. and my anxiety spiked but never came down. My therapist is no longer in practice. Would a NOCD therapist be able to help me? Is this even my OCD or is it something else?

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Relapse -Existential OCD Help

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