How to cope with “realistic” fears when you have OCD

“But this is different! This could actually happen!” Sound familiar? Do you recognize the familiar inner voice of OCD? The truth is, many fears are related one way or another to the worst things that have happened at some point to someone—horrifying things are possible. Unfortunately, OCD twists this into a belief that the slightest possibility of something bad happening makes our fears not only rational, but necessary. But that’s not the case—you can overcome even your most “realistic” OCD fears. Read more about why one of OCD’s most cunning tricks is convincing you that your “realistic” fears are helping you stay safe.

VGH

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

Very true! We all think our particular OCD theme or content is special :)

Dutchgirl

Date posted: 1y ago

This speaks directly to me! I have contamination OCD over pesticides. They can be dangerous so OCD holds on to that…but the extent to which I fear it is everywhere is so debilitating! ERP is sooo hard!!

Themicguy10

Date posted: 1y ago

I still have the same problem but it’s not as severe and I can Identify with the story and article I cannot watch those Ghosthunter reality shows like ghost aventures and when my dad watches them and I’m in the living room I sit there and I tell myself that those guys are just doing that for ratings I try to make myself watch it because I know that’s what I’m supposed to do to get over it but it’s so hard to teach my brain that it’s not real

chrelliott978

Date posted: 1y ago

What helped me is realizing that It don't even matter if ghost exist or not, because at the end of the day you still go to sleep and wake up and go to school/work. They obviously don't affect me so why would it matter to me that they real or not yk? Also I found that thinking about the fact that even if they were real they can't touch your or something bc they would just go through you helped me as well (I had the same irrational fear)

Anonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

It’s been hard with COVID related obsessions/compulsions

D:)

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

@Anonymous ive had issues with that as well

LynetteK

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

Very relevant article! Many of my themes are very realistic! 🤣

blorbo

Date posted: 1y ago

This also speaks to me! My fears are legitimately a real concern, but the extent to which I fear what can happen, what I “know” must happen right this second is what makes it such a hard theme. But it’s still an OCD theme, and I’m happy to recognize it as such and get on with treatment :>

Kritty

Date posted: 1y ago

I'm really really struggling with an intrusive thought that I have been what if'ng for over a month. It's caused me to detach some from the anxiety it gave me and I feel sick every day. As soon as I wake up I shake, my stomach hurts, my skin gets hot. I feel miserable. The thing that keeps me going is my 1 yr old son. Otherwise I feel super lonely and terrified and my heart races constantly and I am beyond exhausted. I dont know what to do. I'm too scared to share the thought on here because I don't want it to be a trigger for someone else and I also don't want to be triggered by a response from someone and feel more scared. To most people it would have been such a silly thought and they would have let it go, or someone would probably make fun of me for it, but it terrified me. I feel like it's gonna make me go crazy or something and I just want to cry most of the time. 😔

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