- Date posted
- Yesterday
False memory
When you have a false memory, can you actually see it happening in your mind?
When you have a false memory, can you actually see it happening in your mind?
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!
@Krista Mooney Could I ask for some support
@Krista Mooney Is it possible for an image to pop into your head and instantly you think what if that was a memory?
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!
Yes
Look at Ali greymond’s youtube videos on false memory - helped me a lot
@Twilightprincessx And yes it can I’m experiencing it currently and it’s horrible
@Twilightprincessx Could I ask for some support
@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
Yes!! :(
So, if I'm retelling a story or relaying information to someone, after I'm done speaking, my brain will send me thoughts like, "What if you lied? You might have told the story wrong! You're lying!" I've started second-guessing myself, even when I know I'm not lying or telling the story wrong😭 This has also bled into twisting my intentions behind certain actions... For example, the other day, I'd been babysitting my younger brothers. I'd gone to use the restroom and thought, "What if the door isn't locked or closed all the way?" Because this has happened once in the past. Turns out, it didn't lock correctly, and one of my little brothers almost walked in on me, but luckily, I shut the door in time, and we laughed it off. But then, I kept getting thoughts like, "You knew that would happen, and you didn't double-check! You wanted that to happen and for him to walk in!" :( I know this isn't true, but it's so annoying! Has anyone dealt with this? If you have, do you have any advice on how to deal with these thoughts?
Does anyone imagine they are doing their harm thoughts during an action, making you feel like you acted on your thoughts? For example, someone gave me a hug and at the last second I imagined I was touching something I shouldn’t during the hug? I want to make it clear it’s something I have zero desire to do! But the problem is, I thought it on purpose and it makes me sick !! Obviously nothing happened but my mind is telling me that was me trying to do it. Even though it was physically impossible to do. Am I a monster or could this be OCD? I’m freaking out and don’t want to be here anymore. I feel like I’m the exception and that this isn’t OCD. I know I post about this stuff a lot but I’m struggling and don’t know what to do.
When you get a stuck thought in your mind, as stupid or untrue as it may be, how do any of you block them out, or try to at least? It’s like my mind has another voice telling me making up the stupidest things?
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