do not read if in a spiral, we got this guys :)

ABOUT SPACE. dont read if youre spiraling, even if your mind tells you to read it, you’ll be okay if you don’t. this is also a good test for YOURSELF to know that you can be uncertain about whatever I’m gonna write and be okay! :) i’ve been feeling very iffy recently about space and this is even scary for me to write down, but I keep constantly feeling like I’m gonna fall through space. we’re not, even if you’re reading this right now we’re not gonna fall through space, me & you both rationally know that we’re not gonna fall through space. I went through a really big rabbit hole the other night over gravity & whatnot & it’s just not gonna happen. i understand that we’re in a very controlled environment, but for some reason, it just won’t leave my head and it’s starting to affect my work life. I actually need to save money at the moment, but over this past week I’ve been giving up all of my shifts, and that is disappointing me. I’m also scared to go to work because what if I have a panic attack? it is a struggle, but we will all get through this. I just want some advice if anyone can kind of give me some ;) you don’t have to prove my thoughts wrong cause I know that the way that I’m thinking is irrational. I just want to feel a little bit more grounded. thank you!

Existential OCD

no more running

Date posted: Yesterday

Hello friend. Existential theme is really really tough. It's my main theme too I struggle with thoughts about nature of reality. (Won't go into detail not to trigger you). You see, it doesn't matter how absurd the thought is. It's never impossible ENOUGH for OCD. my advice would be this: Agree with it. Maybe try "I'm gonna go to work. Maybe on the way gravity will get reversed and I'll be falling. Oh well!" No matter how aggressive the thought gets, don't back off. Don't try to disprove it or FEEL that it's impossible. I assume you've tried that until now. Secondly, don't try to make them go away. When they come, say "oh you again. You can stay as long as you want. I'm not gonna analyze you though. If it's true then let it be". You can visualize putting the thoughts in your backpack and moving forward anyway. It's very difficult but I believe in you

lynlynn

Date posted: Yesterday

@no more running i really appreciate the advice, its scary to envision myself taking it but if it truly helps i will try. would u mind sharing how much youve progressed since these thoughts popped up for you? also do you have similar thoughts as the one i wrote?

no more running

Date posted: Yesterday

@lynlynn I struggled a lot for months and I didn't even know I had OCD. But then through exercises I managed to get much better for 3weeks. The thoughts would come and I still didn't know the answer to them but they would not distress me. These days I'm in my exam season so I have a bit of a flare up sadly. I try to manage. I've had thoughts about blackholes or earth suddenly leaving its orbit. But my obsessions are mostly about nature of reality, mind, consciousness, limitation of perception, time, space, object permanence etc. They sometimes come with dpdr as well.

lynlynn

Date posted: Yesterday

@no more running got better in 3weeks? that makes me very hopeful ☺️ i keep struggling with trying to find a “fix” bcus i have so many responsibilities that i need to take care of & i hate that all of this is somewhat halting it. i’m very determined to get better so hopefully i have the same outcome as you. & i’m very proud of you as well! we will get through this together :) if you dont mind me asking, when did you start your therapy for this?

no more running

Date posted: Yesterday

@lynlynn Umm no no I had it bad for months but was doing a lot better for a period of 3 weeks. And now it's again worse but I'm trying my best. Hopefully it didn't make you discouraged😅 Thank you I appreciate it❤️ I started it around 3 months ago. Another thing that might help: in existential because the thoughts have no definite answer, there can be a feeling of "it will always be like this. I cannot return to the time when I did not know about this". So it can get mixed up with meta-ocd. It is normal😄

lynlynn

Date posted: Yesterday

@no more running well if you’ve already seen progress & you’re noticing the flare ups that means somethings going right 🙂‍↕️

Kevin V

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

Ask yourself, what evidence do you have that you can fall through space? Is there evidence that goes against that? And even if you have those thoughts, you can accept their presence, and continue living your life. And if you have a panic attack at work, would that be something that would ruin your life forever, or could you deal with it?

lynlynn

Date posted: Yesterday

@Kevin V i appreciate the advice, i keep getting scared of looking into it & i keep thinking i see & feel myself falling, like dizziness without feeling dizzy idk 🥲 it wouldn’t ruin my life if i had a panic attack, its just that i’m a server at work & i dont wanna freak out while its busy, go home & then leave my coworkers to deal with the rush 💔 these thoughts literally just started last sunday i jus want them to go away

Kevin V

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@lynlynn You can want the thoughts to go away, but you cannot control them. Don't fight them, allow them to exist, even if they make you uncomfortable or disturbed. They cannot ruin your life forever. You can handle the discomfort, no matter how terrible it seems in the moment.

lynlynn

Date posted: Yesterday

@Kevin V thank you so much, i genuinely appreciate that & you’re right. it’s scary but i’ll trust it

lynlynn

Date posted: Yesterday

@Kevin V do you have any coping mechanisms that you can recommend?

Kevin V

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@lynlynn Don't make your life about running from the discomfort, but do things you want to do. As you do those things, you will likely still experience discomfort, but that doesn't have to stop you. As you prove to yourself that you can keep living despite the discomfort of OCD, then you learn to accept yourself in a new way. Remember that with overcoming OCD, it is about playing the long game. There will be setbacks along the way, but you can always pick yourself up again. I believe in you.

lynlynn

Date posted: Yesterday

@Kevin V thank you so much! i’ve been struggling with bad ocd for ten years now, for awhile its was just my emetophobia (fear of vomiting), but now that this popped up its taking a toll & i feel like i’m going crazy

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond