Existential OCD- Seeking advice

Hello lovely community, I’m curious if anyone else has dealt with existential OCD, especially with a fear of life having no meaning. My biggest compulsion is doing something meaningful and checking if I feel different, like happy or elated or fulfilled, which usually leads me to feel the opposite. How do I prevent compulsions that are so automatic? Even if I’m just making jokes or hanging out with friends, I’ll automatically check how I’m feeling. I worry often that my OCD will get “worse” and become unmanageable. I’ll often check my emotions or thoughts or feelings to see how my OCD is in that moment, to see if its getting worse or better, which leads me to constantly be on high alert and very aware of my thoughts and feelings. I’ll also avoid doing things I love or overindulge to check my emotions. Any advice would be appreciated :)

"Pure" OCD

Anonymous

Date posted: 22d

I also have OCD and depression. My depression was getting really bad so I started doing BA( behavioral activation ) with my therapist. Basically I will spend an hour each day doing something that I enjoy doing regardless if I’m in a feeling depressed, anxious, irritated anything negative like that even if I have no motivation. Feel whatever feelings I’m feeling during that time but don’t stop the activity. If you haven’t already I would also say make sure you are doing ERP responses to these thoughts. Maybe I’m happy right now maybe I’m not. I may never know for sure and I have to live with that uncertainty. Honestly initially it seemed kind of dumb to me like it wouldn’t actually change anything but verbalizing these phrases in moments when I’m having OCD related thoughts has actually helped me over time.

OCDxJosh

Date posted: 22d

This hit me hard. I completely relate to this and often times can go either way because of this feeling. I either feel like doing a bunch of stuff all at once to make myself feel “real” or meaningful or I just kinda do nothing and it leads to me feeling like it’s all useless. In a non-compulsive way, I find that establishing a healthy routine helps with this. It is a sort of ERP to force yourself to sit with those unpleasant thoughts and compulsions. Do you have any tips that may help? Would love to hear them. :-)

Ella Weeks

Date posted: 22d

@OCDxJosh i don’t really have too many tips unfortunately! my themes switch quickly and i’ve never really gotten “over” existential ocd, rather it would shift to a different worry and i’ve been able to get over those. that’s definitely not to say its impossible to get over existential ocd- i just haven’t had moments of it long enough to develop coping skills. in general though, not engaging is very important for me. i’ve found just accepting my worst case scenario and then just going about my day is honestly the most effective tool i’ve found. even really leaning into it, saying “oh i hope x happens. i would love that” has made all the difference :)

OCDxJosh

Date posted: 22d

@Ella Weeks Yoo that actually makes sense yeah, I like the whole analogy of a robber behind a curtain. “They’re coming to kick your door in but they can’t see the door. If you keep your door shut (push away the thoughts and give in to compulsions) the robber succeeds and breaks your door. If you leave your door open (i.e. you invite the anxiety in and resist compulsions), the robber (ocd) falls on their face. I loooove that mentality, I’m so glad someone else gets it

Dee C

Date posted: 22d

From time to time I catch myself going down the existential OCD rabbit hole. When I do, I give myself some compassion and lean towards accepting the uncertainty (maybe, maybe not). I’ve come to realize that this is my OCD. I choose not to engage with the OCD thoughts or analyze my feelings and instead move on to the things I value. In my journey I’ve learned that I cannot control what comes to my mind or sensations I may feel but I can control whether to respond and bravely face the discomforts. And not to offer reassurance but you can too. I’m hoping this helps you in your journey!

Srtester

Date posted: 21d

Does anyone take Wellbutrin with Zoloft because of anxiety? I have had several major life changes and one just recently leaving my job so I started the Wellbutrin to help the Zoloft with anxiety.

iLounge21

Date posted: 16w

ERP for Existential OCD?

Been struggling with existential OCD lately. Very hard to describe the thoughts/feelings, but it is a constant feeling of being stuck in my head. Like what is consciousness and where do I think from? Like I think it’s OCD, maybe it is maybe it isn’t. But if it is, what would be good ERP exercises? Just existing (lol)? And what would be my response prevention? I’m not even sure what mental compulsions I may be doing.

Existential OCD

mandiocd

Date posted: 14w

Please help existential ocd

Existential ocd is deeply affecting me. A lot of people say death is equally as meaningless, I do agree, however, if life is mostly suffering and anxiety to me, then death is not as equally meaningless. It seems logical. I have severe ocd and my life is just suffering, so if life is meaningless, it’s logical for me to not see a reason to keep going. I’m not necessarily depressed. Just incredibly aware of how pointless this all is? There’s no end goal to any of this. It baffles me of how people can care about money and materialistic things, because what’s the point? You’ll die in the end and nothing will matter. ****please please please do not tell me to get into religion I’m begging you****

Existential OCD

Sarah12

Date posted: 8w

Existential ocd theme

Hi guys so this existential theme is like a final boss in all ocd themes for me. I just dont know what to do tbh. My main problem is that whatever iam doing my mind goes: whats the point? Iam watching tiktok about workout my mind goes: there is no point. Iam planning vacation: there is no point. Iam tired of this. I don’t know if its still ocd or what but what i know is that it complitelly ruining my life and i have zero peace. If someone can help me with these meaning of life and point of life thoughts i will be so gratefull because iam starting to feel hopeless.

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