June123
- Date posted
- Yesterday
False memory
When you have a false memory, can you actually see it happening in your mind?
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- Yesterday
Yes, with False Memory OCD, you can actually "see" the event happening in your mind. This happens because OCD takes normal memory doubts and amplifies them with vivid mental imagery, intrusive thoughts, and emotional distress, making the false memory feel real. Why Does It Feel So Real? Mental Rehearsal: The more you think about the scenario, the more detailed it becomes, making it seem like an actual memory. Emotional Intensity: OCD attaches anxiety, guilt, or fear to the thought, tricking your brain into believing it must have happened. Imagination Filling in Gaps: Your brain tries to "complete the story" by adding false details, creating a realistic but inaccurate mental image. Memory Checking: Constantly replaying the thought to “figure it out” only strengthens the false sense of certainty. How to Respond to False Memory OCD: Stop going over the memory in your head—it fuels the obsession. Recognize that the vivid mental image is part of the disorder, not proof of reality. Refocus on the Present: Engage in another task instead of spiraling into rumination. I hope that this is helpful!
Hi_123Hi_123
- Date posted
- Yesterday
@Krista Mooney Could I ask for some support
TwilightprincessxTwilightprin...
- Date posted
- 21h ago
@Krista Mooney Is it possible for an image to pop into your head and instantly you think what if that was a memory?
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 22h ago
Yes, absolutely. False memories can feel incredibly real and vivid, to the point where you can actually "see" them happening in your mind like a mental movie. OCD loves to latch onto this, making you doubt whether the memory is real or not. The more you try to analyze or figure out if it really happened, the more real it can feel—but feelings aren’t facts. The best thing you can do is recognize that this is an OCD trap and practice sitting with the uncertainty instead of trying to prove or disprove the memory. It’s tough, but you’re not alone in this!
Hi_123Hi_123
- Date posted
- Yesterday
Yes
TwilightprincessxTwilightprin...
- Date posted
- Yesterday
Look at Ali greymond’s youtube videos on false memory - helped me a lot
TwilightprincessxTwilightprin...
- Date posted
- Yesterday
@Twilightprincessx And yes it can I’m experiencing it currently and it’s horrible
Hi_123Hi_123
- Date posted
- Yesterday
@Twilightprincessx Could I ask for some support
TwilightprincessxTwilightprin...
- Date posted
- 23h ago
@Hi_123 I’d really suggest looking at the resource I previously mentioned - I’m not the best person to help right now as I’m still very much battling this myself but avoid doom scrolling because it really doesn’t help. Try to resist compulsion as much as you can
dee012dee012
- Date posted
- 23h ago
Yes!! :(
Related posts
ㅤ
- Date posted
- 9w ago
False Memory Crisis
I went to bed one night in November, and I can't quite say what happened, but I believed that I had a "memory" from childhood. I won't discuss what, but I had "remembered" doing something sickeningly awful. This thing came to me almost as clear as a real memory. I remember thinking something along the lines of 'How could I forget doing something like that?' followed by a feeling of complete horror and terror. I have moments of "clarity" where I can't believe that I'm questioning doing this thing, and it appears obvious that it's false. But now, I'm more than often believing that I did. I am spending 24/7 fighting my head, and it's taking me to dark places. I know this is the worst thing to do, but you don't understand, if this is real then I am a monster and I can't just adopt the 'maybe I did, maybe I didn't approach'. I just can't. I have to know. I'm so scared. My entire life is on the line. I don't have anyone to talk to about this. Literally no one. I feel like I'm insane, like I'm a monster, like I'm hiding my true identity from everyone I love. Does this sound like False Memory? Or am I in denial, trying to convince myself this didn't happen? Why does it feel so real? And why do I have moments of clarity? I also had my first nightmare about it last night. Please someone help me.
June123
- Date posted
- 20d ago
Intrusive
Is a false memory a type of intrusive thought?
amelia:3
- Date posted
- 17d ago
how to deal with real event + false memory??
im going to be vague here, but basically i did something in the past that i regret and it became a huge point of my OCD but i have talked to my therapist and i have mostly moved past it. i watched a video by an OCD youtuber that really put it into perspective. anyway, i have been with minimal worry for a few days, but now im having worries related to i think false memory? basically it’s like “oh but what if i said/ did this and just forgot that means i harmed this person im a bad person”. to me it sounds like textbook OCD but im just wondering if anyone else has experienced false memory / real event at the same time. i have a really horrible memory which is making it even more stressful. any responses are appreciated!
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