I am curious if other people experience this too:

When I read about other struggles people have and post on here who have a different theme than my own, I understand their pain they are describing but I also just feel like mine is truly the worst one. I don’t mean for this to sound invalidating to anyone because I do believe that pain is very real for others with different themes. It just is discouraging to be able to see through the irrationality of ocd when others post but when it is with my own theme (existential), I feel absolutely unable to see through it. Do other people experience this too?

no more running

Date posted: 2d

I feel the same my friend. And guess what? My theme is also existential. It's not my first theme. I've dealt with many more but I managed to accept the possibility of my fears and move on but with existential the fear is on another dimension. The thing is that in existential, you doubt the things that you didn't know were doubtable even. Others don't know either. So there is absolutely zero certainty or ground in your life. And other's advice does not help and can be therefore triggering (because it makes us feel different). For example: - observe your thoughts -> but how do I know those thoughts are my own? - you are never alone -> but my obsession is if I'm the only conscious being and being existentially isolated... - live based on your values -> what are my values? They don't make me feel good anymore. Is there any meaning to them? You get the idea. But perhaps if we somehow overcome this theme(which idk how), I think we might be invincible. Even now my previous themes come at somes, but I can very easily apply erp and not engage because they are external stuff. With existential, the barrier between internal and external collapses and your mind doesn't feel safe anymore.

ezzieorsomet...

Date posted: 15h

@no more running Well existential themes can still be tackled with ERP, it's just you need to just learn to sit with the uncertainty and that most existential themes are genuinely unsolvable. Maybe your thoughts aren't your own. But they are in your head. Maybe you are alone even around others. I've been alone in a room full of people. Loneliness can't really be measured by relationships or proximity to others. Most people don't really have strong values. and Values are allowed to change. you are allowed to not know. Just some ideas.

bunny121

Date posted: 2d

Existential OCD is absolutely horrible. I remember night after night getting hit with waves of impending doom, researching for hours about death and what happens when we die, not finding any reassurance, which led to even more anxiety and just a pit in my stomach. I completely understand how hard it is bc it feels like there is not really a solution? Idk that is my experience

ezzieorsomet...

Date posted: 15h

My first themes were also existential. I don't think my problems are any larger or more important than anyone on here, but I get what you mean where some just don't make any sense at all to me. Such as HOCD because I've never struggled with my sexuality and never thought it was weird to shift or change throughout my life. But I understand that people cannot control what their OCD latches onto. I think in those cases if you can't relate to their themes, it's best to just not engage.

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