Somatic Symptoms

I’m currently doing ERP for somatic symptoms. I’m not sure if that’s exactly what it is. I’m very aware of myself,like just existing, and my voice. It’s hard. It’s lead to some scary existential thoughts at times. I also fear I’m developing some kinda psychosis. I know I’m not but it’s a hard feeling to shake. I’m taking lexapro and I think it’s helping? I’ve deal with this without meds and it wasn’t this intense at all. Has anyone dealt with this? Any tips? Any ERP exercises I could do?

ashleyb206

Date posted: 2y ago

Hi! I have experienced everything you mentioned in this post. It’s a scary feeling. I mainly focus on my heart beat and breathing. Before I started taking citalopram I could literally feel every single heart beat and every breath I took. I was scared that I would just drop dead at any moment. The saying that has helped me so many times is “it’s okay that I’m thinking this, but my thoughts are not facts” and I will repeat this to myself. We get so wrapped up in the intrusive thoughts that we forget that they’re just thoughts and that they don’t have to have any real power over us. It does get better ❤️

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

Hey there, I also have terrible existential thoughts, sometimes more often than others and also hocd- i just started Zoloft and so far its making it worse it seems, I hope it changes soon for the better.. but I’ve also feared I was going through psychosis and my psychiatrist keeps telling me he doesn’t think it is, im not seeing things or hearing things, just my terrible thoughts of things like nothing is real etc. I usually hangout with my mom or go get her when i feel no hope and this helps me a little, even though she doesn’t know what I’m going through fully i can trust her. Maybe if you have anyone near you that you trust you can call or be near them when you’re having intense thoughts ?💜 we’ll all be okay💪

H399Rocd

Date posted: 12w ago

Medication for OCD?

Medication for OCD? Hello all, 19 male here, this seems like a cool community that isn’t nearly as triggering as reddit. I have pretty severe bouts of existential thinking or fear of going crazy ( psychosis ) after some pretty heavy mushroom trips a few years ago, I know logically I should be fine but I do know what it’s like to lose it and it’s scary. Currently I deal with relationship focused OCD, it’s all day from before I even open my eyes. I want things to work out with my girlfriend badly. Also I can come close to a panic attack sometimes which perpetuates everything. Anyway, I mention the fear of going crazy because the way my anxiety/derealization makes me feel is that I’m not mentally stable cause I feel out of it or unreal. I saw that a lot of anxiety and depression medication can cause psychosis and I feel like I could use some help in getting ahead of my OCD because the compulsions are had not to give into when I’m in such distress/not knowing. Plus overall I just feel like I have no idea how I feel about close to anything. Anyone relate about that ?

Sosa2loud

Date posted: 11w ago

Kind of Spiraling

Hi guys! I’m new to the community and I’ve recently received my OCD diagnosis (tho I’ve known about it since childhood). I’ve been somewhat spiraling lately as I wait for my first ERP session (hooray!) I was just wondering if any of you guys have received ERP for existential OCD and if it was successful? My existential OCD compulsions are more so mental and have been affecting me in the sense of dream/memory flashbacks and giving me a sort of “uncanny” feeling about everything around me. Any advice is appreciated! Thank you❤️

Jennifer Dal...

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 11w ago

Let’s talk about Therapy

So you got to ask me anything… Now I’d like to ask you something! I’ve heard from Members that they were so scared coming to their first ERP session. They were terrified that I would think they were crazy, that I would tell them their worst fears were true. That I would confirm they are some form of a terrible person or have them hauled off to prison for their thoughts. I’ve also had Members share how they’re very scared to begin ERP treatment because they’ve researched enough to know it means facing the fear, without the compulsions that have kept them feeling safe (but not really safe) this entire time. They struggled to see how they could be capable of doing this, while simultaneously acknowledging that they did not want to live like this anymore. If you have had your first session, what were your thoughts before? Did you have any hesitations or fears going into it? How did it turn out? If you haven’t yet begun to work with an ERP specialist, what is holding you back?

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