Advice on fear of death and aging?

Hi all, I’m an 18 yo girl, been diagnosed with OCD since I was 14. My OCD has mostly been intrusive thought heavy moreso than compulsions. Recently I’ve been obsessing over the fear of death and aging. I keep having intrusive thoughts that since my teen years are almost over, I basically just have nothing but downhill after that. This has been in my mind since my grandfather passed away in April. Most of my thoughts center around the fear of becoming unattractive as I get older, and in general a fear of everything that comes with age like decline in health etc. If anyone has advice on how to cope with these thoughts or deter them I would greatly appreciate it. :)

Anonymous

Date posted: 5d

I am 38 now, and let me tell you, life keeps getting better :) don’t spend your years worrying. Enjoy your life, every stage. Being single, being young, being career focused, traveling, love, children, whatever life has in store for you. My grandmother just turned 94 today and lives alone and is happy and thankful. She doesn’t live in fear or despair because of her age. Your life is your outlook and what you make it. Aging and death are inevitable for every single human (and animal, insect, alive being) that has existed before us and has yet to exist. Accept this and surrender yourself to this beautiful experience on Earth.

Stay.Fluid

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 6d

Gratitude journals and mindfulness journals can be great for this type of OCD. Also, do you have any hobbies that give you something to look forward to?

madsocool

Date posted: 6d

@Stay.Fluid Thank you for the idea! I’ll definitely try that out. I like drawing and playing instruments but not particularly inclined with either so I’ve lost a bit of motivation in doing them. I’m definitely trying to get back into them though.

Stay.Fluid

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 4d

@madsocool Keep trying. Sometimes the loss of imagination and feelings of magic weigh heavy on us. But you can find those feelings again!

Anonymous

Date posted: 6d

First of all, 18 is like the beginning of life, nowhere near the end. I think you are very lucky, because you got diagnosed so early in your life. I myself was only diagnosed this year and I just turned 27. I know well about the fear of aging as I am approaching my 30's, but that's just ridiculous. Our body takes literal decades to get older, even longer if we have a healthy lifestyle. I am just getting my first creases on my forehead and some white hairs are springing up here and there. And you know what? That is totally cool. I cared a lot about aging and looking worse as I go but that is just not true. I am living much healthier than before, and much better-looking in my opinion, as years of experience with awful style teaches you a lot. I also have a few hobbies like writing and music, which I am just getting better and better each year. I do not fear aging. I think it is much better to age well than to not at all. All in all, don't worry about aging. Its actually a pretty okay thing.

bug222

Date posted: Yesterday

I’m an 18 yo girl as well and going through the same thoughts! I just recently got diagnosed with OCD but I have found that sometimes when I’m having a really bad episode it’s helpful to call someone I love. I feel as though the reminder that you’re not alone and you have time in this life still is greatly helpful! I saw someone mention finding a new hobby and I completely agree even if it’s something as simple as a coloring page. :) wishing you the best

Strezzy

Date posted: 20w

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)?

2005grl

Date posted: 18w

worried 😔

this is probably kinda jumbled but over the past almost year or so i've slowly realized i have ocd (i'm diagnosed audhd but over time i started feeling like those alone didn't cover the whole issue yk?), and recently i've been kinda worried i guess. it’s just that i’m turning 21 in 6 months and i’m afraid that this disorder is going to rob me of joyful adult milestones in my life. honestly being 20 has sucked, i can’t even remember wtf being 18 was like, and my childhood in general wasn't the best either, but i've been struggling a lot as of late and i don't want how i feel now to be the same as how i feel next year. my meds have helped quiet my compulsions a significant amount (i literally felt like i was going kinda cray cray when i was off them 😭) but they’re not completely gone. sometimes it just seems like this is all it's ever gonna be forever and i’m always gonna feel ashamed of myself for just like… existing. my 21 year old self deserves to be happy but idk if i’ll be able to give that to her 🥲🥲🥲

Turtle

Date posted: 17w

ERP for existential ocd

My recent theme has been time and time passing. I’m so aware of time passing and nervous about it. I’m nervous that we all die eventually. I’ve always been a normal amount of nervous about this, but it has definitely been more time consuming and anxiety inducing. Anyone have any ERP tips I could do for this? Right now I’ve been telling myself “ya time is passing super quick and you are gonna die eventually” but I want to know if there is anything else I could be doing? I don’t meet with my therapist till next week so thought I would ask on here

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Advice on fear of death and aging?

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