- Username
- rachelm89
- Date posted
- 5y ago
I’m in the same boat. I really ONLY experience real event ocd and it’s extremely difficult to deal with. I had three events that alternated but now it’s down to one from my teenage years that is constantly triggered. I also shared it with countless friends and therapist and have been reassured that it’s my ocd blowing it way out of proportion. Unfortunately this reassurance only works for a hot minute and then my brain is back to ruminating. Im supposed to do daily ERP for it but currently struggling to face the anxiety head on. I would love to start a thread/support group for real event ocd because it’s definitely a theme you hear less about.
Hey, would you mind saying how you do ERP on it? :-) thank you very very much
I totally agree! And if you start one I would love to be a part of it. It’s frustrating how you can’t find as much information about it. It kind of makes you feel alone. Thank you for sharing all of that with me. Mine also alternates between different events. Some days one thing seems so terrible and the next day my brain lets that one go and focuses on something else.
Of course! In order for the ERP to be effective, I’ve found that the script needs to include your WORST fears that your mind plays on repeat, all the “what if’s.” An example script my therapist gave me goes like this: “I am a bad person and if the people in my life knew the things that I’ve done, they would agree and validate that I’m as bad as I think I am. And because I can’t change the things I’ve done that I believe make me bad, I can never not be bad. Maybe I am inherently a bad person” I know it sounds a little repetitive but these statements reflect my mind chatter that makes me so uncomfortable. I am going to record this on a recording app on my phone, and then play it on repeat for about 15-20 min/ twice a day. I’m not looking forward to the discomfort and anxiety, but it’s with ERP that the kind gets desensitized to the obsessive chatter.
How has the ERP worked with you so far ?
I love this, thank you for sharing!
Welcome to my world at the moment, you are not alone. Is it like guilt you are feeling?
Yes! Extreme guilt and even shame. The worst part is that I’m currently engaged to the man of my dreams and my OCD is latching onto the relationship and telling me I’m not good enough for him. It’s terrible.
@rachelm89 Everyone has a past, everyone has done really dumb stuff. What helped for me is acknowledge your past, forgive yourself and use that as a foundation to build on piece by piece
I've got this right now. It's horrible. The only thing you can do is bring yourself into the present as we can not change the past. It's not easy to let things go but whenever a thought pops up from my past I just take a deep breathe and focus on what's around me. I hope you feel better soon sending love your way
Thank you so so much for this! I’ve also found that trying to get in touch with who I am NOW and reminding myself that I am no longer the person from my past has been helpful.
@rachelm89 Exactly you are the person now
@rachelm89 Always remember you're a different person even to last week. Practice meditation and you'll find it'll become easier. Stay strong
I had this theme :( so difficult but ocd make it sound worst than the event really is !!
Thank you for that! I have to keep reminding myself of this.
Ey! Same here buddy. Like people say your worst case scenarios are never gonna happen, but you still think they're gonna happen. Goddamit brain. Stop with the guilt Brain whyyyyyyyy
Brains are seriously a pain to have sometimes!
The ERP really helped with two of my events I was obsessing over. I found that I REALLY leaned into those scripts, and they were worst case scenario scripts. I listened as much as possible, I’d even play it in the car. I can’t seem to get the same relief for my third and final event though... it’s like it has been around for so long that it’s being very stubborn and difficult to overcome. However, I’m continuing to write different scripts with my therapist to try to better target the content.
*mind
You will get it figured out! And thank you for giving me hope that I can get mine under control too!
Question, does anyone else experience real life event ocd? Like they have a lot of guilt about events that happened in the past and can’t seem to move on from it. It is related to my suicide ocd and I wish I could just move on from the past but I have so much guilt for it even though everyone is telling me to move on! I read that this could be considered real life event ocd but am just wondering if anyone else feels the same.
Does anyone else suffer from ‘Real life events’ OCD? I constantly worry about things I did as a teenager (from ages 15-19) I wasn’t a very nice person and think I was quite a toxic girlfriend in my first relationship. I’m always terrified that people are going to find out and that I’m going to lose my job or something awful. I also think that a lot of people would be so shocked if they knew some of the things that I’d done, and that they would think so much less of me. I feel a constant need to confess or apologise, and wish more than anything that I could erase that whole chapter of my life. Previously in counselling, we looked at ‘black and white thinking’, and I managed to rationalise that everyone makes mistakes and nothing I did was that bad, but I have this horrible feeling that one day this will all catch up with me. Is this just genuine guilt and remorse or is this a symptom of OCD? Thanks in advance.
Does anyone struggle with real event ocd and having to confess to their partner? I have so many regrets on things I’ve either done or thought and feel like I can’t move on or be better until I’ve been forgiven for them. Mostly things that happened a couple years ago and I don’t know why it’s all of a sudden bothering me now but it makes me feel like I’m the worst person ever. I’m even questioning how I thought or felt during that time and I’m confessing to thoughts or things I may or may not have done or thought. It’s so confusing and I feel trapped in my own head. If anyone has any tips I would appreciate it. Thank you for you time
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