- Date posted
- 28w
Feeling “not ocd enough”
Does anyone struggle with feeling like their ocd issues are not ocd enough compared to other peoples ocd? Is this an ocd thought itself lol
Does anyone struggle with feeling like their ocd issues are not ocd enough compared to other peoples ocd? Is this an ocd thought itself lol
I am struggling with a lot of the concepts I'm learning about OCD and whether they actually apply to me.
hmmmm....that's a good question. Just today I was thinking about how my suffering is so much less than other people with OCD, and that I didn't know how to quantify my suffering. It is true that mine is much, much less. It's also true that sometimes I want to express how much suffering I still have. I think it's kind of a philosophical question. The same is true with people with cancer. Every treatment is different. Some people suffer more or less. But you still acknowledge everyone's journey.
Ocd definitely exists on a spectrum. Some people have a really really hard time with it, some people just have a few ocd-esque behaviors. Ocd isn’t a label you have to live up to. Each person’s experience is valid and unique. You are a person who struggles with ocd sometimes. Regardless of the frequency or severity of your struggles, knowing how to handle your obsessions/conpulsion can help your ocd from growing and getting worse.
Do you care to share what your experience has been like?
Yes to all the questions lol, everyone’s ocd is so different and manifests itself in so many different ways. Not to be cliche but it really is like comparing apples to oranges sometimes
This has been something on my mind as of late because I feel like I have mild manifestations of OCD and it isn’t enough (in my head) to be considered actual OCD and because I don’t do any outward compulsions, and my themes ‘feel’ brief and constantly jump around on any given day…. though I have moments of huge obsessive thoughts and feelings that feel overwhelming, but when they pass I feel like I made a big deal out of nothing and I either move on or just replay it in my mind…idk. I guess its different for everyone.
I felt that, definitely. It was an OCD thought for me. Whatever prevents you from living your best life is OCD.
No same but I think this is part of it and the fear of being in denial
Hello, That's a great observation! Yes, you can have obsessions about questioning if you really have OCD. Luckily, the way to practice ERP with this type of obsession is the same as any other obsession. Sit with the uncertainty and resist the urge to engage in any compulsions. If you are unfamiliar with ERP it is the gold standard for OCD treatment. Additionally, we specialize in OCD treatment using ERP at NOCD. Here is a video talking about ERP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEWzOAGaypY
yes this is meta ocd in itself
Yes I believe it is. I have this thought also. I will compare my situation to others’ and it will make me worried that what I’m going through is not even OCD. Some people seem “more” OCD to me at times. But not everyone’s experience is a size fits all.
Do you ever feel like you wonder if your ocd would be less if you were with someone else? Or would it be better if you were with someone else? I’m really upset because I used to be able to enjoy myself even with the anxiety and now it’s like i am just analyzing and I don’t have feelings and I’m irritated because there’s things that frustrate me about him that I don’t like and my brain says if I was with someone else I would be able to deal with those things better and that we just aren’t right for each other. And the thoughts that used to make me anxious about breaking up don’t like it’s really me that feels it. I know no relationship is perfect but it’s like my brain keeps saying with someone else I wouldn’t feel like this or I would but I’d be able to handle it better. It feels like I have to just start fresh with someone new cause the ocd got too into this to the point where I don’t feel or even know what’s real. It feels like fear and anxiety and just being so into this has just made me feel not into this anymore but idk if I’m thinking right. It’s also just warped the way I see him like I only see the negatives and my brain keeps saying you don’t feel this cause it’s wrong. And it’s depressing bc of how happy and safe I used to feel. I’m supposed to see him soon and it’s like I want to but also don’t because I feel like things have changed unless that’s just something I made in my head and cause I don’t feel the feelings I used to. But then I think I will just be this way with someone else but then my brain says otherwise and it’s so confusing. People keep telling me not to make decisions because I’m fogged but it feels like I’m not. Like my brain is manipulating me. And also like all the things I used to like I’ve somehow turned into like distaste which is so upsetting. I would like to think this is just ocd taking control and confusing me and distorting my perspective but I’m scared it’s not and that my feelings are gone. Has anyone experienced this but it was still ocd?
I know that sounds a bit harsh, but people with OCD think very differently then everyone else and we do strange things. I used to think OCD was just that we overthink to much and have compulsions to fix it, but its kinda alot more than that i realise. Like peoples lives are legit debilitated from this thing. Thats serious and i dont think others realise that. Mabye im concerned too much idk.
I was diagnosed with OCD around the age of 6, subtype- contamination primarily. It calmed down as I got older and I assumed it had gone away, but also didn’t realize it can show up in other ways, and it still had been effecting me which I know now. I’m not 31 and I’ve been in therapy for a year and it’s helped a lot, although I sometimes get thoughts that what if some of the stuff I’m dealing with isn’t ocd and I’m exaggerating. I feel like thoughts will feel sticky and I’ll do certain compulsions but then the thought eventually vanishes if I do it a few times which makes me think maybe it’s not OCD since other people/friends I know would probably do the exact same thing. Not sure if I’m making sense, but I guess my question is if that thought comes up with anyone else? Just being unsure if something you’re doing actually is ocd or not.
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