Is this perfectionism OCD or am I just stressed?

So this is not a very major thing at all, but it's something that came up yesterday and I couldn't sleep because of it. I'm a big fan of this video game, it's called Xenoblade Chronicles X. Well, after 10 years, it's finally getting a re-release on modern platforms. It's super exciting. From the clips I've seen, it seems to be a very faithful remaster that improves upon the imperfections of the original. However, what my brain is stressed about is that they sort of changed the user interface/font style of the game in order to make it more legible and less crowded. They also revamped some of the character models too. Not a bad thing at all, but I was such a big fan of the old user interface that all the new changes are stressing me out. It's making me want to purchase old hardware just so I can replay the original instead of the re release So all day I've been looking at side-by-side comparisons and getting disappointed by the new one. Which sucks because there is objectively nothing wrong with it! All of my dreams last night were about the game and I wasn't able to get proper sleep. So is this perfectionism OCD or is this an aftereffect of my other subtypes or am I just being extra nitpicky?

djflorio

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 18d ago

I know how crummy it feels to lose sleep over something, especially when you feel like it's something so minor! The different subtypes just serve as a way to conveniently group together intrusive thoughts into themes, making it easier to talk about them. Trying to neatly fit your experience into a specific subtype is unnecessary and can easily lead to more confusion. If you want to determine if this is related to OCD, you just have to look for the compulsions. It sounds like you're compulsively checking these side-by-side comparisons to check if you're disappointed, as evident by the fact that you've been doing it all day. That's a good indicator that you're trying to avoid the feeling of anxiety/uncertainty. OCD or not, it's a matter of stepping away from this compulsive behavior and sitting with the discomfort. If you're worried that you might be disappointed, try responding with "maybe I will be, maybe I won't." If you ARE disappointed and you're checking these screenshots in hopes to change that, then sit with that feeling of disappointment and allow it to happen without getting caught up in the thoughts surrounding it. You're allowed to feel disappointment.

TrustTheProcess

Date posted: 18d ago

You know, compared to how bad and horrendous all my different subtypes are, this one is almost laughable how I can get stressed over a slight change in design. It's always easy to forget the simple solutions to OCD even when it's right in front of you. The brain fog is insane. But thank you, I think this will help

Andrea Wells

Date posted: 15d ago

Ugh, I feel this! My OCD can latch onto video games too in so many different ways. Which sucks cause that's usually something I just want to have fun with lol. Anytime I ask myself if something is OCD, it usually is. It definitely sounds like this could be! Would be a great thing to talk about with your OCD therapist if you have one.

Bruce M

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 13d ago

There are also lots of good tips on the Patrick McGrath Wednesday night webinar on the NOCD page on YouTube. Or really any NOCD webinar can be helpful. Go ahead and check out some of the videos. In addition you can contact NOCD for a free 15 minute call to discuss further. They can offer more detail than I can here. https://www.treatmyocd.com/about-us/contact-us

Bruce M

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 13d ago

Hard to say without a trained therapist looking into it. This is different for everyone. ERP is the gold standard but medication can help too. Certain people it works for and some it does not. If you really master ERP you can conquer it but this is very hard to do for most. Certainly if you are not responding well to the ERP stuff then medication might be the next thing. Medication is always a decision you should make with your therapist.

Ironborn

Date posted: 20w ago

Is this beyond ocd?

I'm reaching out in hopes of finding others who might relate to my experiences or offer insights. I'm dealing with a complex interplay of OCD, depression, and existential anxiety, and I'm struggling to make sense of it all. Here's what I'm experiencing: I have OCD with various manifestations, along with episodes of depression. I find myself in a cyclical pattern where, after a few weeks, I start to remind myself about my depressive tendencies. This reminder seems to trigger a cycle that actually makes me feel more depressed or at least more aware of depressive symptoms. When this happens, I often experience feelings of nihilism and existential dread. I try to think about my family - my two young boys and my wife - to find motivation or a sense of purpose, but this strategy often backfires, making me feel even more anxious and depressed. I constantly check my feelings, wondering if they're depressive or anxious. At the same time, I fear that my feelings of anxiety and panic might spiral out of control. I think about my emotions and thoughts on a meta-level, which means I'm not just experiencing feelings, but I'm also constantly analyzing the fact that I'm experiencing them. There's an existential component to my struggles, a fear of depression and anxiety itself, and a sense that this might be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Perhaps most frustratingly, I often have feelings, thoughts, or sensory experiences that I can't explain or put into words. I feel like I've never heard of these before, which leaves me feeling deeply misunderstood. Does anyone else experience something similar? How do you cope with this complex web of symptoms and experiences? I'm particularly interested in hearing from those who've found ways to break the cycle of meta-cognition and self-fulfilling anxiety. Any insights, shared experiences, or strategies would be deeply appreciated. Thank you for your time and understanding.

landonw

Date posted: 20w ago

Why Does It Seem So Real?

Lately, I have been able to manage my OCD thoughts kind of. They’re still there but I kind of push them away? I know that pushing them away doesn’t help but it’s been my only way to survive. I get scared often about things like clothes or my voice or how I present myself. I get scared that I want to dress differently or act differently and it scares me. I know for a fact I don’t want boobs or anything like that, but my mind constantly is like “What if?” and it kills me. It has ruined everything for me. Sometimes I can’t even look in the mirror because I get scared that I won’t like what I see. I’ve also been afraid because I find myself relating to many female characters, or I want to act like them. Like Pearl from Steven Universe. I want to be graceful and elegant like her, but I don’t want to be a girl you know? My mind constantly pushes these thoughts of what if and images. Because I am not like most guys. Which I know is okay. It just freaks me out. It makes me question every aspect of my being. I know who I am, but I know that the only way to move forward is to accept that maybe I don’t.. It’s just a lot.

Lilly5679

Date posted: 20w ago

Is it in my head

I have constantly been feeling like if I hit one arm, I have to hit the other and if I set something down and it just didn’t look right or feel right I had to do it again or I had to move it to a different spot in my room I’ve had never been a clean freak, which is mainly what I get told is OCD And I don’t know if I should even have this app. I don’t know if I actually have it. I’m constantly worried that I did something in my past that harmed others and that’s why people don’t like me or I’m constantly worried People are constantly watching me and I don’t know if that’s OCD or if I have it so please tell me I will delete this app and never think of it again if I don’t I just really wanna know

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Is this perfectionism OCD or am I just stressed?

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