- Date posted
- 2y ago
Resources for existential ocd
Anyone have resources for existential ocd? It’s making my harm ocd harder to deal with .
Anyone have resources for existential ocd? It’s making my harm ocd harder to deal with .
Are you doing erp? Is this ur first time
@Anonymous I just started ky had one session
@Shianne Keep going! Do you do erp here??
Do you feel like the 2 themes are merging?
@rickshawned Yes . I’m thinking “what’s the point” and it’s making me think I don’t care or could get to the point of not caring about my actions. I’m just trying to tell my self that’s my ocd but it’s very scary to have such a thought .
@Shianne I go through the same thing. Worrying I might find a way to justify my actions or just decide nothing really matters. And then OCD will give us a feeling of doubt making us worry it's a legitimate threat.
@rickshawned I just want to know when this is going to end …
@Shianne Mind if I ask a few questions? Are you taking any medications? I see you just started counseling which is a great step, and very difficult with those themes. One thing that starts to happen in counseling is you start to separate yourself from that fearful voice. In time, with hard work and dedication, you will realize that nagging anxiety isn't really right and it doesn't actually make sense. Then you will be free. Give it time and stay strong. You can do this.
@rickshawned I stopped taking medications cause it made me more paranoid. 7 weeks on Zoloft and 7 on Prozac. I started working with an Ayurvedic doctor - I wasn’t on medication before this and I’m 27. Also/ it’s been 4 months and I feel like I’ve gotten to the point I don’t care so much .. but have had amazing days. But then it happens again a few days later and the doubt and uncertainty gets a hold of me and the thoughts begin again.
@Shianne It sounds like you are on the way, just having a set backs. I wasn't on medication for years and I don't think it's mandatory. I didn't need it until I burnt out pushing myself too hard in every aspect of life,now I need to get my burn out under control before I can deal with my ocd again. I think if you keep doing counseling it won't be too long for you, by the way you described it. Before I was burnt out I did 3 months of counseling and I managed my symptoms for 10 years, and I didn't even know I had ocd. Then at 31 I burnt out, and had to reasses things.
@rickshawned Thankyou for this gives me hope and happy to hear that you are able to manage more effectively . Wish you all the best.
@Shianne You as well.
I’ve separated from the thoughts but have moments of weakness- because I am so upset that I’ll have harm ocd when I have my own kids and also I just want this ANNOYING thing to go away so I can enjoy my life.
I get it. That's why I don't want to have kids, and I don't want to pass on my mental illness. I may adopt in the future, but we will see.
But thankyou I appreciate this
Hello, I am a young girl struggling with OCD, specifically existential related OCD. I feel constantly like my life is pointless, like my goals aren’t significant, because, I’m just going to be forgotten and die. What is the point? I don’t want to get old and not be able to do what I love. Sometimes I wonder if not existing would be easier, but I don’t want to die yet. It’s really confusing, and I’d love some tips I could get for motivation. I really want to be spiritual, but I struggle in believing in stuff so…?
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❤️
I used to get caught in a loop with existential thoughts very frequently. Every question made my stomach drop: (TW: existential questions) … … ... "Why does anything exist at all? What will death be like? Is anything even real? Is there any meaning to this? Is the universe infinitely big, and if not, what's beyond it? Are there multiverses? Has the universe been around forever? Will the universe end for good, or will it keep going forever? What is forever like? What even IS reality?" It would get so overwhelming that I remember lying on the floor in a fetal position for hours because I felt like there was no escape. I spent most of my days reading articles and watching videos about theoretical astrophysics and philosophy in a desperate attempt to "figure it all out." Of course that only made me more anxious, raised more questions, and kept me trapped in the cycle. Things started to improve once I learned to turn TOWARD reality, rather than away from it, and ERP really helped me do that. I learned that these questions weren't the problem. I learned that I can actually handle the anxiety that arises when exposed to these ideas and concepts. I don't have to figure anything out to make the anxiety go away; it arises and passes away on its own. Ironically, bringing myself into the present moment and becoming more aware of reality helped me escape the cycle of existential dread. Because of that, this topic no longer takes over my life. If I'm triggered by something I see, hear, or think, I may still feel a little twang of anxiety, but then it just goes away. "Maybe, maybe not" has been the single most useful phrase of my life. Do you ever get trapped in a cycle of existential questions? Are you worried that the ERP approach would be too scary to handle? If so, I'm happy to give my advice.
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