Intrusive dreams? (Please help if you have time)

I keep having intrusive dreams about family members in the moment in the dream I don’t seem to care at all and am aware that what I’m doing is disgusting but when I wake up I’m infuriated that I’ve had another dream like this and repulsed by myself. A lot of the time the thing that bothers me the most is when I wake up after having a psychical reaction to these dreams (wet dream) it makes me scared that it’s not just an intrusive dream and it’s something I actually desire deep down. I had another (intrusive) dream earlier today and I don’t think I can keep doing this. I’ve noticed that my medicine that I’m taking makes me have stranger dreams but even when I don’t take it or before I started taking it I do have these sorts of dreams so maybe I’m using that as an excuse in my mind for it. I keep searching for answers on the internet (I know I shouldn’t reassurance seek if it is OCD but I’m not fully convinced that it is OCD) and everytime I find anything about it they don’t mention anything about having a psychical reaction(like a said before meaning wet dream) in these scenarios. Please help me if you’ve had the time to read all of this by commenting and telling me any advice you have or if you’ve experienced this before too.

Steven55!

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

Just keep in mind that it's only OCD, nothing real. OCD can't predict the future. People who don't have OCD would dismiss it as just weird dreams. These dreams are no more of a threat than intrusive thoughts, etc., that you may get when you're awake. Remember: a thought is a thought is a thought, not a threat, not an action, only a thought. Hope this helps.

GS33

Date posted: Yesterday

@Steven55! I really appreciate the time you took to reply! My biggest problem is the psychical reaction aspect of it, I feel so gross like I have to take a million showers afterwards and always get so worried that me having that psychical reaction means that it’s not an “OCD dream” if that makes sense

Steven55!

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@GS33 Having a physical reaction is very common with OCD. It's all part of it. Are you in therapy with a trained OCD therapist who uses ERP therapy? OCD is treatable with an experienced OCD therapist.

Steven55!

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@Steven55! The best thing you can do for yourself, in my opinion, is to be indifferent to the dreams and physical reaction. If you get up and constantly shower, you're giving in to a compulsion, which only reinforces the OCD episode.

GS33

Date posted: Yesterday

@Steven55! I’m currently actively working on getting a therapist that’s right for me I’ve been in therapy before as well. I completely agree that psychical reactions are normal with ocd but in this case I have to shower cause the alternative is sitting in my own filth which I can’t do. (So sorry for so much information and oversharing there) I can’t seem to get over the concept of having a wet dream = me not having an ocd episode cause if it was just OCD why would it go that far if it makes sense? It’s probably just the OCD cycle making me question everything it’s hard to explain sorry I’m not the best at writing it out but I think that’s the best I can do

GS33

Date posted: Yesterday

@Steven55! Are you currently in therapy as well or have been in the past and what did ERP entail? When I was in therapy it was never encouraged for me to do

Steven55!

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

Yes, I was in OCD therapy for about 2 years, using ERP. ERP, Exposure and Response Prevention, is considered the gold standard for OCD treatment. It's very effective. Ypur therapist will guide you through practices designed to expose you to your OCD episodes. Over time, these episodes will dissipate. Your OCD therapist will coach you along. Please be sure whatever therapist you choose is a trained OCD therapist who uses ERP therapy, not some shrink who read about it in a textbook. They are not effective and a waste of time and money.

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