- Date posted
- 5y
- Date posted
- 5y
this is a hard one! i struggled with it too! Exposures exposures exposures. the OCD stories podcast has a great episode on this called " existential ocd" it helped me alot..eventually i just had to say " okay so what if it isnt real "
- Date posted
- 5y
I completely forgot about existential OCD! I’ll have to check out that podcast for sure, thank you!
- Date posted
- 5y
that is exactly what you have....
- Date posted
- 5y
Thank you so much like once you said that I was like yup there it is!
- Date posted
- 5y
Perhaps there's a way you can turn those thoughts into positives or neutral ideas. I'm not sure in what scenario we could say that life definitely "means" something. So perhaps if it might not be real, that could be a motivation to take risks rather than avoiding, and live life to the fullest. I don't have existential OCD, but I do think about this topic a lot and have some mixed ideas and, of course, no answers, as it can't reasonably be solved. I find I live my life best when I think of life as a game, rather than taking it too serious. After all, none of us get out alive. Some people win, some people lose, for most of us it's a combination. It's still best to play the game now that you're here. It's an opportunity.
- Date posted
- 5y
Hey there! I’ve also been struggling with these thoughts the past few weeks! It can be pretty distressing.
- Date posted
- 5y
How have you been managing and coping? It’s really messing with me :(
- Date posted
- 5y
@Evelyn4416 And it really doesn’t help the suicidal OCD I have either ?
- Date posted
- 5y
I’ve been focusing on things that bring me joy like gardening and spending time with my dogs. I know it’s scary, but keep your head up! What I learned in ERP was to “egg on” those thoughts. For example, if I were to get thoughts like, “nothing matters” or “what’s the point” I’d simply respond with maybe there is no point or maybe nothing matters - and carrying on with what I was doing! It’s all uncertainty. I hope this makes sense?
- Date posted
- 5y
Thank you yes that makes sense, it’s all about uncertainty!
Related posts
- Date posted
- 19w
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.
- Date posted
- 15w
I read about ERP and have seen information about it on here. One of the goals is to say, "maybe I am this or that...ect." That terrified me. The thoughts and images that go in my head are disturbing and upsetting. I don't want to even think about saying, "maybe this or that." It's devasting to have these thoughts and question why you're having these thoughts. Doesn't the "maybe" make it worse? The one thing that helps me is that is to remind myself that these are just thoughts and I know I'm not a monster, even if I feel like one. Is ERP not for everyone? Has anyone else had a problem with the techniques used in this kind of therapy? I had cognitive therapy for years with an OCD specialist and that seemed to help a lot. Writing out the worst case scenarios would make me suicidal. Im having a difficult time not obsessing over the "maybe" after intrusive thoughts now. It doesn't make it better.
- Date posted
- 11w
Hi guys so this existential theme is like a final boss in all ocd themes for me. I just dont know what to do tbh. My main problem is that whatever iam doing my mind goes: whats the point? Iam watching tiktok about workout my mind goes: there is no point. Iam planning vacation: there is no point. Iam tired of this. I don’t know if its still ocd or what but what i know is that it complitelly ruining my life and i have zero peace. If someone can help me with these meaning of life and point of life thoughts i will be so gratefull because iam starting to feel hopeless.
- Young adults with OCD
- OCD newbies
- Suicidal OCD
- Students with OCD
- Existential OCD
- "Pure" OCD
- NOCD Therapy Alumni
- Harm OCD
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond