Guilt and feeling like I need to confess?

Is consent guilt and feeling like I need to confess part of ocd? I’ll sit with guilt every minute of the day I’ll say it to me my whole family about what I did in the past to the point I say it every day to them because I feel like a terrible person and need to let it out even tho I already did I don’t know the need to say it everyday I feel like if I don’t let it out everyday I’m a terrible person. It’s taking over the guilt

catgp

Date posted: 3d ago

Yes, it is definitely part of ocd. It is a compulsion and it links to reassurance seeking, especially when we have the feeling to repeatedly confess the same thing. The feelings of guilt and anxiety can be so uncomfortable that we think confessing will bring relief. It might bring short term relief, but then feelings of guilt return. As with any compulsion, it is important to break the cycle. When experiencing the need to confess, particularly if it is something you have confessed before, try not to. It will feel very uncomfortable, but the more you can override this, the less intense the need will be. It will gradually subside and your ocd will get the message that it doesn't need to fixate on it, but it may take time initially. Guilt is a real burden, but what you did doesn't need to define who you are. Take good care and I hope you will be able to offer yourself compassion in time and that the guilt may lift.

🤍.

Date posted: 3d ago

@catgp Do you think I should confess something else that I haven’t confessed yet? Like new things keep popping up and idk if I meant to try weight it out not but the anxiety in my chest is top level can’t explain the whole anxiety I’m feeling right now I just feel like a terrible person

catgp

Date posted: 3d ago

@🤍. New things popping up is very common when confession is a compulsion. OCD is never satisfied. If you don't give in to the compulsion, anxiety spikes because it is used to having attention. We give it attention through doing compulsions. That's why the feeling to do something like confess is so awful and urgent. We can take away the attention from anxiety by not doing the compulsion but this feels really difficult because the ocd just isn't used to it. Feelings don't always equal facts. Just because you feel like a terrible person, that doesn't mean the feeling is true. Ask yourself, why am I confessing? And, do I feel better after confessing? If it's to relieve anxiety, try to not give in to that. It's not always possible and you might find yourself confessing but you could take little steps and see how you feel. I'm not sure if you're in therapy, but this can be a great help for tackling these difficulties if you feel ready to try it

jennamax20

Date posted: 3d ago

The more you can resist confessing the better - it will feel impossible and excruciating at first like you are ignoring something serious - but then your brain will let that go and find 100 more. Not confessing at all would be best- but if that feels too challenging could you write out your confessions? (And not give it to anyone?) confession is a big part of my ocs and the more I resist confessing the easier it gets

🤍.

Date posted: 3d ago

@jennamax20 The thing is I feel like I’ve done something very bad to the point I’m a criminal and I sit with guilt every minute of my day I wake up with it it’s the first thing I think off it’s horrible I don’t know how to get rid of it..

jennamax20

Date posted: 3d ago

@🤍. I understand and I feel that way too about the things I want to confess. It feels as if I belong in jail. However I can tell you that confessing doesn't bring relief - maybe for a second. But it doesn't work. Have you been diagnosed with ocd?

🤍.

Date posted: 3d ago

@jennamax20 I haven’t no but I do go to therapy and even though they can’t dignose me both theorists have told me I have OCD and that I fit it. I would like to get tested but I’m afraid as I have a child I don’t want them to think I’m an unfit parent for having these problems..

effervescente

Date posted: 3d ago

I can say this is what I am feeling myself. These last few months I have had falling outs and things I didn't realize I did something wrong till people kept talking things about me instead of talking to me. Knowing I hurt people and that guilt makes me want to confess when its sometimes better after you recognize your actions and you if apologized as best as you can and move on from it. Find someone to talk to that has patience or write it down in a journal anytime you think of it until it becomes small and insignificant.

jennamax20

Date posted: 3d ago

Is your therapist doing ERP with you? Are they recommending you stop the confessions? And I totally understand that. There is so much stigma - I have an ocd diagnosis and have two young kids and my mental health team is wonderful and supportive but I know that's not everyone's experience

🤍.

Date posted: 2d ago

@jennamax20 I’m with a CBT therapist but she does ERP and EMDR she does tell me to stop the confessing,googling and resurqnce seeking I haven’t done any erp yet because she think it be a little tricky so she starting the emdr then the erp.. I get that but it scares me incase they think I’m unfit

Puffin123456

Date posted: 25w ago

Advice?

His so I have a question. Should I feel guilty for things I do like without thinking or naturally. Like for example if I’m around a person I find attractive I will naturally try to be funny or come off as attractive not in a bad way like it just happens I’m not usually aware of it until after it happens.Sometimes I do and say things without an intention it just kinda happens and then My brain after it will Be like oh you did that because of this and that. Or sometimes it’ll tell me I did it for a certain intention that I didn’t do it for, but it’s hard sometimes when I do things without a certain intention so then I can’t tell my intentions and I spiral but sometimes my brain is right and it makes me feel guilty because if I knew that’s was my intention I never would have done it if that makes sense. Is this part of OCD

Unknown1738

Date posted: 20w ago

Horrible person OCD

I’ve said and done so many hurtful things growing up, especially in elementary and middle school. I was very passive aggressive and mean for a majority of my life, and I’ve hurt peoples feelings. I’m no longer like that now, but every single thing I’ve ever done wrong replays in my head constantly, from the moment I wake up to the second I go to sleep. I know I deserve to feel the chronic guilt and shame, so I feel even more guilty pitying myself. It’s eating me alive, I’m so scared. I know people must hate me, and they have every right to. feel like I don’t deserve to have moments of happiness because I’ve taken that ability away from someone before. I’m not diagnosed, but this has been going on for years and I’m scared to talk to anyone about it because I fear they would look at me differently knowing I’ve hurt someone’s feelings. I feel like a monster. It’s ruining my life and I don’t know what to do.

issphra 🫶🏻

Date posted: 17w ago

Does anyone else..

Feel guilty for not giving into compulsions like rumination and confessing? I feel guilt for having an intrusive thought, trying to shrug it off or just giving it a few seconds of thought and moving along. This sounds like improvement but I still struggle with the anxiety and the guilt. The shame. I’ll be okay and then I’ll remember I have OCD and my stomach will drop and I just want to curl up and cry.

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond

Guilt and feeling like I need to confess?

Related posts

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Be a part of the largest OCD Community