Undefined existential dread?

Just curious if anyone else deals with this. I have ocd related to specific things related to relationships, religion, checking, things like that, but I also wrestle with an anxiety that comes up sometimes that’s like this… undefined existential dread like I need to DO something to get rid of this horrible feeling, but because the feeling is so non-specific, there’s nothing to do, and it makes me feel like screaming sometimes but I don’t even know what the problem is. It feels pressing and urgent in the same way ocd compulsions do, but there’s nothing to actually DO except internally panic, try to distract myself, and repeat. It’s annoying because it isn’t a specific anxiety that I can define, and it isn’t a compulsion that I can work through with therapy, it’s this just. Vague feeling of “something is deeply, terribly wrong and you need to do something to fix it”, but I have no way of trying to address it. Does this have a name? Is this something that anyone here relates to, or is it maybe something unrelated to ocd?

LUISV

Date posted: 8h

Yes I used to have this exact horrible feeling a few days ago it falls into the rumiation compulsion, Definition=Rumination is a repetitive and intrusive thought process where a person dwells on negative thoughts, experiences, or doubts of something. It is a mental compulsion because it is a repetitive behavior that the person feels driven to perform, despite it causing distress or impairment. and hypevigilant state of heightened alertness associated with ruminating compulsive behaviors. because the brain is analyzing every little detail in your surroundings and hyperivigilant on yourself, your thoughts, your surroundings. It's a compulsion trying to solve what is making you feel weird, wrong, which will get you no where but to find a way to relieve yourself for a lil bit and then fall into the cycle again and again (YOU HAVE TO DO ERP.)

LinesAndMeaning

Date posted: 13h

I have had this same exact feeling in the past and sometimes now. Like a longing to do something, but I have no idea what, and leads to wanting to scream as loud as I can, and when at the gym wanting to lift an infinite amount of weight. It’s like an internal frustration with something that isn’t there, like existential. I wish I knew how to help.

Anonymous

Date posted: 11h

I’ve recently had this exact feeling of dread. It’s so vague and hard to know what to do but I feel it in my stomach and it’s pervasive. For me, this isn’t typical either. I usually know what I’m obsessing over but this is different. I’ve had the feeling most of the summer. Thankfully it’s starting to dissipate

JeffTheGiraffe

Date posted: 11h

I relate to this type of cycle but for one of my subtypes of OCD. (and a period of my life where I just had constant anxiety) These types of things are abstract and your best course of action is just doing something else rather than trying to rationalize it. These feelings tend to wax and wain. My body’s anxiety sometimes feels cyclical and maybe you’re wired similarly as well

a.lea

Date posted: 11h

constantly. it's the worst

JustAJesusLover

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 10h

Yes!! I’m feeling it. I’m very confused haha.

iLounge21

Date posted: 24w

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

Strezzy

Date posted: 16w

Existential OCD - anyone else relate?

My OCD has bounced around to a lot of different topics but my current spiral has been focused on existential dread - I have a lot of intrusive thoughts about my loved ones dying and not existing and about my own death and not existing anymore. OCD is trying to get me to find certainty in what happens after we die… and unfortunately I will NEVER be able to find certainty around this. This spiral started after the death of my beloved cat and then the almost death of my dog a week later. I think OCD attached to this idea that everyone and everything I love is going to die and I need to prepare myself for it and somehow KNOW what happens when someone dies. It’s panic inducing and really hard for me to sit with vs other OCD themes Ive had related to health, moral/hyper responsibility, etc. Anyone have this type of obsession around death of loved ones and how did you combat the intrusive thoughts and deal with the mental compulsions (rumination, avoidance, etc)?

Ella Weeks

Date posted: 11w

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 :)

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Undefined existential dread?

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