Hey so I suffer from derealization/existential themed ocd off and on . I was recently thinking about purchasing a gaming console so I’m not constantly ruminating on my other themes. But I also don’t want being immersed in a video game to worsen my derealization; as I read of that happening to people. Should I still push through the ocd and get one? Would that be a exposure? Or should I not because it could be a trigger.
Hiya Bryce, I love that you’re looking at this from the perspective of exposure response therapy. That’s some real world/in vivo thinking, which is awesome! So I’m a little confused by your post; you seem to want to get a gaming console so you “aren’t ruminating on your other themes” but you’re also worried about getting one because it may “worsen your derealization”. I am not a therapist, just a fellow OCD-haver, but my advice would be not to get the device IF you’re using it as an avoidance/hoping to distract yourself from dealing with your various OCD themes. We know avoidance only keeps us locked in the OCD spiral. But if you think the console will trigger anxiety because it might affect your derealization, I think it could be a good exposure exercise. I would suggest checking with your therapist and getting their take. Way to go!
