Seeking tips for ERP to manage Existential OCD thoughts and fears.

Hi TS, thank you For sharing what you are going through. I know much easier said than done, but in the long run the best way to handle is to not engage with these thoughts. Instead, try to allow yourself to have the thought and respond with a neutral statement like “thanks” or “maybe it’s true maybe it’s not” without engaging any more or less than that. I know easier said than done, but with time and practice it does get better. A therapist once gave me an analogy about thoughts not being facts that I still think of, when I need grounding regarding my OCD. She said “just because I think I’m a tomato doesn’t make me a tomato”. I remember my first initial reaction when she said that to me was “that’s ridiculous”, But then I realized oh wait that’s the point. ERP therapy has been a huge help for me in learning how to have the thoughts and not compulse. I would encourage you to reach out to United healthcare to see if there are any therapists who specialize in OCD/ERP that may be in your plan. Also if you are currently seeing a therapist that does not do ERP, perhaps talk to them about it. they may be interested in learning more about it. Wishing you all the best in your recovery journey.

I experience these kind of intrusive thoughts as well. I am to start my therapy for this on Thursday.

Hi there! Have you tried grounding techniques like stating what all the objects in the room are made of or the colors you see? The intrusive thoughts aren’t logical, but when we respond with fear to them our brain thinks they are a real threat. I love responding to those kinds of thoughts with humor like “yes it’s all a dream, my family is imagined, you’re so right 😆” More intrusive thoughts will come but then practice not responding at all to the thoughts. You don’t need to think to figure it out 🙂