nae nae

Date posted: 5w

Question! Is this a thing?

Are intrusive memories a thing? Because I have memories pop up throughout the day, usually regrets or mistakes from when I was younger, but it's almost uncontrollable? It sort of feels like I'm testing myself to see if the memories still make me anxious or something. I can't tell if I'm willingly thinking of them or if they just invite themselves in. They're just always at the front of my thoughts unless I'm really engaged with something else or out and about with other people... I'm trying to treat them like I do with intrusive thoughts, but occasionally, it's like I can't resist NOT ruminating on these past events. I try not to, but then that only makes them more persistent. I'm just curious if anyone's dealt with this or possibly has advice? I'm guessing I'll just have to sit with it. I don't think I've asked about this before, but I might be wrong lol. I forget easily 😭 I'll probably speak with my psychiatrist about this, too, but our next appointment isn't until August. She's not an OCD specialist or haver, so I thought I'd ask here, just in case anyone can help! 🤍

jasminelogan

Date posted: 5w

YES. i get this a lot. mostly with things i did in active addiction or “embarrassing” things ive done in the past

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

Thanks for helping me feel less alone. It's frustrating, and I'm sorry to hear that you deal with this, too 🥲

Wolfram

Date posted: 5w

Yes. I had therapy for stuff like this. Here if you need advice

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

How did you manage or overcome it if you're okay with me asking? Advice would definitely be helpful 🙇‍♀️

Wolfram

Date posted: 5w

@nae nae I think it depends on the memory and the lesson your ocd feels is necessary to learn. Do you mind sharing what the memory is? Don't worry if not

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

@Wolfram I'm okay with sharing. Honestly, a lot of it is from childhood, funny enough. Memories of happening upon or being exposed to content I shouldn't have been exposed to. I feel a lot of guilt and shame surrounding them. It wasn't always like this. Up until a year ago, these memories rarely—if ever—popped up. And when they did, it wasn't the end of the world. Only after my OCD kicked into high gear did it become impossible to let these things go. A part of me is afraid that these events will somehow alter who I am as a person, which is silly, but... Sadly, OCD doesn't listen to logic. I'm not sure what the lesson could be. Other memories are just "embarrassing" or tiny, insignificant things my brain decided to latch onto lol (sorry if this is long).

Wolfram

Date posted: 5w

@nae nae Did anyone know about this when you grew up or did you keep it to yourself for fear of being shamed by others?

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

@Wolfram I kept it to myself out of fear until not long ago, I compulsively confessed to people I trusted. They didn't shame me at all. In fact, some shared similar stories, offering their support. But their reassurance only brought temporary relief. It doesn't bother me quite as badly as it used to, but I'm still very critical of myself at times, thinking I should've been smarter, known better, etc...

Wolfram

Date posted: 5w

@nae nae I've been there. What worked for me was imagining time travelling back to when the incident/ event happened and being there for my younger self and saying all the things I wish someone would've told me at the time. And you're right, the reassurance after opening up doesn't help 😬

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

@Wolfram Yeah, it definitely doesn't help lol. And I've thought about that. Like writing a note (or typing one) to my younger self. I might try it out, actually. There's no harm in trying.

Wolfram

Date posted: 5w

@nae nae I'm thinking of putting up a post regarding everything I've learned about ocd in one big one. It'll be super long, do you think people would read it? I know I've been put off reading long posts

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

@Wolfram If it's from you, yes! You're known by many in this community lol. I'd read it! I know some people could be put off, but it might help those who do take the time to read it. I think it's worth it.

Wolfram

Date posted: 5w

@nae nae OK, I'll try and compile my research and post later when more people are usually on the app.

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

@Wolfram Alright! I'll be looking out for it! And thank you for the advice and taking time to listen! :)

ToriVega123

Date posted: 5w

i get that too, just past events that’s caused me discomfort and it’s always random for me. ur not alone nae! 🫶🏼

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

It can be like that for me, too. And thank you 🥹 You're not alone, either. I'm sorry you experience this, too. Hopefully, we'll overcome it in the future. I know we're capable of doing so! Until then, stay strong!

ToriVega123

Date posted: 5w

@nae nae is there somewhere we can talk about it? i don’t have anyone to talk to that relates to the same stuff

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

@ToriVega123 We can talk about it here, if that's okay? I'm always willing to listen, but I'm not completely comfortable with offering my socials to people (only because they're my personal accounts lol)!

ToriVega123

Date posted: 5w

@nae nae yeah that’s fine ofc i get it loll does this app have msging or do u wanna reply on an old post or something

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

@ToriVega123 Unfortunately, it doesn't have messaging. Wish it did at times, but I understand it'd be difficult to monitor. We can talk here or on an old post? Anywhere is fine!

ToriVega123

Date posted: 5w

@nae nae true lol, an old post! u pick

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

@ToriVega123 On your profile?

ToriVega123

Date posted: 5w

@nae nae or yours too i don’t mind

nae nae

Date posted: 5w

@ToriVega123 Okay lol. I have a post from 24 days ago titled "Let it be," with an image attached! We can talk on there if you want.

madalyndicie...

Date posted: 25w

hello everyone 🤍

i’ve been dealing with this “thing” since i was 15. (i’m 23 now) if i have a bad memory that i have done when i was really young or just an intrusive thought i feel like i need to tell my mom or boyfriend. it’s been on and off ever since but since January hit it’s been an everyday thing about the littlest things. mostly about my relationship. an example is i was talking to someone random at my job and we were talking about taxes and when im in deep thought or just thinking i do a thing where i bite my lip (not in the sexual way) and i had a thought when it happened “was that sexual?” and i felt like i did something wrong and i went for a while thinking that until i told my boyfriend about it. or like my ex’s face has popped up in my head in the most inappropriate times and i feel the need that i have to tell him. (my ex was not a good person) i feel like im a prisoner in my head everyday, trying to justify thoughts or remind myself that its just a thought. i didnt know that this was or could be a form of ocd. it runs in my family but i’ve just never considered it being this. i always called it anxiety or depression but i always felt like it is more than that.

Anonymous

Date posted: 24w

Intrusive thoughts

I’ve had many types of OCD, but I gained control over them over the years, but a new one has started to arise. Do y’all ever have scary thoughts about something you might do? Recently I’ll get extremely uncomfortable no matter where I am because I can’t stop thinking about “what if I screamed really loud in my lecture class tomorrow?” And other stupid stuff like that. Also, this one is kind of funny, but sometimes when I use the bathroom I pause before because I think “what if I’m actually in class right now?” I also cannot control the thoughts about past embarrassing moments. I know everyone does, but I will become visibly uncomfortable and harp on something from years ago. This happens all throughout the day. Also, does anyone else do things that resemble tics when you get these thoughts. Like when they happen I’ll curse under my breath or like jerk my head a little bit. When I’m in public I keep it low key but when I’m alone sometimes I’ll physically get up and pace or something when those thoughts happen. Just curious if anyone has had these experiences

Anonymous2212

Date posted: 20w

False Memory/ ROCD

I am diagnosed with OCD, ADHD, and mild depression. But my OCD symptoms are so prominent in my daily life where it feels debilitating. It comes in waves, there will be months with very minor symptoms and other times where it comes in random hitting me like a truck making me rethink life. I grew up having intrusive thoughts of all types, and a lot of them sent me over the edge because I couldn’t understand why things of such sort would cross my mind, things that I’m sure to this day that I’m incapable of or would never want to actually do. Yet I find myself in a constant cycle of trying to dig deep in the past and trying to figure out if I ever acted on any of the intrusive thoughts I can remember, yet ofc have no recollection of acting on them because they most likely didn’t happen. However, not having concrete proof of these things makes me not want to see another day sometimes. It is so hard to move into daily basis like this. I’m also in a happy healthy relationship and sometimes I get these thoughts of “what if I’ve done something awful during the relationship (for example, cheat, dishonesty, etc.) and can’t remember?” I know I would never do anything intentionally to harm my relationship and I think that maybe the idea of not having my partner sends me down a rabbit hole to think all these things. This mental fight is getting harder and harder. It feels unbearable. Does anyone have some fruit for thought, relate, or have any tips?

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond

Question! Is this a thing?

Related posts

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Be a part of the largest OCD Community