- Date posted
- 30w
Help!
How can I deal with False Memory OCD? I am struggling with ruminating thoughts, and trying to figure out false memories! How can I enjoy my day without figuring it out?
How can I deal with False Memory OCD? I am struggling with ruminating thoughts, and trying to figure out false memories! How can I enjoy my day without figuring it out?
The issue with OCD - you will never actually figure it out. In my years of doing this no one with false memory OCD has ever gotten to a point where they were able to fully trust their memory. I know that may sound triggering, but the nature of OCD will just not allow it. If OCD = Doubt, then how, can you give OCD an answer that it will accept if OCD will doubt every answer that you give it. This is a trick of OCD to just get you to do more compulsions. You will never achieve the level of certainty that OCD demands, and no one ever has or ever will, otherwise it would not be OCD. If you are looking for help in dealing with this, I hope that you will consider reaching out for help from a specialist who can assist. We would be happy to assist here at NOCD at any time.
this is very scary to consider, as someone who also struggles with real events/false memory ocd but is also very sobering and comforting. my brain desperately wants me to figure everything out or one day get to a point where I'll be able to separate fact from fiction (OCD: the doubter). Do you have tips for how to resist mentally reviewing a false memory or real events? It's very hard to resist the compulsion when the thoughts are incredibly disturbing and upsetting.
@moon027097 I understand the struggle
@Tony Davies You get me ha
@moon027097 You ok?
@Tony Davies hey! sorry for not replying, but sort of lol it kinda sucks rn but im sitting with the discomfort
I wish I could give you an answer to that, but all I know is the feeling is extremely distressing. Try and calm yourself down and remember what type of person you are and if what you think you did or have done is actually something you would do as a person. I used to tell myself if I have to question if it happened, it more than likely didnt, you would know. Much much easier said than done because when the thought comes again your body heightens and is consumed by it. I wish you nothing more than peace
@jessmini Thanks, yes I hate false memory ocd it has you questioning and then you believe the false story and make it a reality
@Hi_123 Im here
I would use the phrase maybe or maybe not to not actively engage with the false memory. Try to bring your attention into the present
Hi Tony, the key to "dealing with" OCD is learning to sit with the distressing thoughts without doing anything about them. For example. Try using maybe, maybe not statements of uncertainty vs. trying to figuring the thought out. Maybe I did something like......, Maybe I didn't, I can tolerate the uncertainty. OCD doesn't have to rule your life. If you would like to learn more about OCD and how to deal with your symptoms book a free call at: https://www.treatmyocd.com/
@Darlene Friend Thank you, I am really struggling with false memory ocd, where it’s coming up with false stories
Run away from rumination — that is the best way I can describe it. It feels wrong and uncomfortable because you are not letting your OCD get what it needs to survive. When you notice you are ruminating, physically stop and say, “It does not matter,” then refocus on the present and continue with whatever you are doing. I once read a metaphor in an OCD workbook that compared your mind to training a puppy. When the puppy strays from the path, you would not yank the leash and hurt it. You would gently guide it back and redirect it. You have to treat your mind the same way. It is going to stray and go wherever it finds importance, but you just have to gently guide it back. It is hard, and it is going to feel like the opposite of what you want to do, but just do your best. What helped me the most was thinking of it as running away from compulsions. It feels wrong not to do them, it feels like avoidance, but I eventually realized that I should not be doing them anyway. Running away from them is what I should do, so keep running from compulsions.
Really good advice and help Thanks much
How do I get out of the false memory by not replying it to believe it?
Has false memory OCD affected you so badly that you feel that a lot of your memories period are unclear, vague, fuzzy and can’t recall correctly?
I experience crippling, debilitating false memory OCD. It started with a “what if” thought 6 days ago and has spiraled into a never ending loop. My mind is telling me that “maybe you did this terrible, awful, unforgivable thing years ago and you don’t remember it and it’s only a matter of time before it catches up to you and your life is over” I’m really needing some coping mechanisms and support. I’m really scared and my body is exhausted. I just want it to stop. It is full panic attack all day, every day. Please if anyone can relate or help me.
I basically can’t stop thinking about the false memories and I’ve been thinking about them non-stop since I’ve woken up today. I keep picturing the images / the false memory and I focus and fixate on the images and they feel so so real and realistic and when I think of them I get a feeling of “clarity” and a genuine sense of knowing and belief that deep down I know these memories are true and have happened and that I’m just in denial and lying to myself and you by saying that they’re false memories when in actuality I know they’re real which is also really frustrating and makes me feel uncomfortable. On top of that as I’m writing this message my stomach won’t stop turning and it really hurts and I just want to cry and my brain says that I’m experiencing these physical feelings because I know I am lying and just in denial and that these physical symptoms are proof that I am lying and just in denial and I just don’t know what to do or how to calm down. I really don’t want these memories to be true and I want them to be false more than anything in the world and I am not lying when I say I don’t know whether or not they’re real and I’m not lying or pretending they’re false memories but the more I say that to myself the more it feels like a lie and I’m just terrified at the thought and idea of them being even 1% true because why wouldn’t they be? Is it really possible to fabricate entire memories or doing sexual things to and with another person that are that detailed and realistic :/ My brain says things will only get better once I admit to the false memories and stop lying to myself and stop being in denial and stop using false memory ocd as an excuse and just admit to them because I know deep down I have done them and that they’re true which is why I feel a deep sense of clarity about them and that I am just continuing to lie to myself, to my girlfriend, to my therapist and to my family when I say I don’t know whether I have done anything sexual to or with this person because deep down I know I have I just don’t want to admit it so I’m continuing to be in this heavy state and cycle of denial because I don’t want to accept what I have done. I just want this to end. I just want confirmation that I have never done anything sexual to or with this person and that these memories are entirely fabricated by my ocd and have no basis in reality but I don’t even think that’s possible. I’m so done.
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