OCD Dreams

Does anyone have experience coping after waking up from an OCD dream? I tend to have dreams that really activate my ROCD. Last night, I dreamed that my boyfriend was being really emotionally cruel and unkind which is no where near what he is like in real life. But it feels so real when I wake up - like all of those wounds are fresh and open. I want to talk to him about it but I don't want him to feel - yet again - like he is doing something wrong when all of this is in my head. But I've been holding back tears all morning and ERP just isn't helping today. idk. I'm so tired of this.

TJ2

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

What are you doing for ERP this morning? I have ROCD and will wake up terribly angry with and hurt by my husband, and I even used to hold him responsible (only half-jokingly) for his behavior in my dreams! I have a few ways I deal with it now, but don’t want to annoy you by advising you to do what you already are doing. Hang in there - you are not alone! The subconscious continues chewing on the bones leftover from our waking minds, so your OCD themes will play out in your dreams from time to time. Maybe they have some value to add your life in some way, maybe not. You get to choose. Hope your day gets better!!

chloe_d

Date posted: 2y

This is so reassuring, thank you. Right now, my usual script is something like: "maybe he hates me, maybe i'm unworthy of love, maybe he'll leave at any moment, maybe he does wanna be with other people (very dream specific this time), etc." until i reach maximum discomfort and then just try to sit with it and send it away down the "river" so to speak. Honestly, I haven't given it as much effort today as I should bc I'm so exhausted from an unrelated OCD incident that I had to process for like 2 hours last night. Either way, I'd love to hear anything you've picked up along the way that seems to help. This has always been a thing for me since my first boyfriend in high school and phew - I wish I could have known then what I know now. It would have saved me a lot of fights. thank you for sharing and being so kind in your response!

TJ2

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@chloe_d The script you tell yourself sounds exactly the the first half of my script. Mine goes like this: example: “Maybe he wants to cheat on me, maybe he doesn’t want to cheat on me. I’m going to assume this thought that he wants to cheat is OCD and abandon it. But I don’t know for sure. I have no way of knowing anything for sure.” Then I ask myself the following questions: “is there a problem here to solve? Am I feeling conflicted about anything involving this person?” That’s where I either get off that train of thought completely, or else realize that I have something I want from him or something I would like to provide. Ex., I was feeling bad about him having his phone out whenever we had breaks during our workout. I wasn’t saying anything, so OCD got ahold of it. After my Response Prevention process, I realized I would like to propose a no phones during our workout together time. Had the convo; no more phones. Yay. Could’ve saved myself a few days had OCD stayed out of it!!

chloe_d

Date posted: 2y

@TJ2 - this is amazing. thank you so much for sharing. Those questions seem like a critical part of your process and I think they may make my ERP more effective. THANK YOU.

TJ2

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@chloe_d Oh man, so glad it helped! I have to tell you, when you shared that you wish you’d known all this earlier in past relationships, I was nodding my head in agreement big time. I’m not sure how my husband hangs in there with my OCD-ness some days but he does. I chalk it up to him being a Leo ♌️ 😂

rane75

Date posted: 24w

Does anyone know if dreams and OCD have connection

I have very odd dreams and they always have to do with my intrusive thoughts. I will have nightmares about all of the things i don’t want to happen and i am afraid of and even thought this is normal, i never have real dreams. Only nightmares.I also always remember my dreams and have 3-7 dreams a night even if i only sleep 6 hours. i wonder if anyone feels the same way or has a story to share

OoOcCdD66

Date posted: 23w

R-OCD...cheating fears

Currently I have several different OCD fears that pop up throughout the week depending on the situation. I've noticed a commonality between all of them are the fears relating to memory/false memory. Today is the ROCD struggle I've been dealing with. I know OCD has been trying this on me lately because of how much I love my spouse. They are my absolute best friend and she's my world. I value our marriage and friendship more than anything. OCD has latched onto one specific female coworker. And I don't even know why because even if I were single I wouldn't be into her. Even still, OCD makes me think I've cheated on my wife every time I'm alone with this coworker at work. Always starts as a what if, followed by imagery, followed by feelings that I must've actually done something and can't remember it. Usually fearing I've kissed her. It hurts because I know I'd never do that to my wife and I love her so much...the idea of losing her kills me, especially if it were the result of something I did. Just wanted to vent. Feel free to share your experiences or vents as well

bbumblebee

Date posted: 23w

False memories in ROCD

Hi everyone!! This is a new kind of theme I’m dealing with. My brain will come up with false memories of my boyfriend saying awful things about my family or me…deep down I know it’s not real. The more I think about it though, the more real these “memories” feel. How do I deal?

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