Hello everyone, I feel I’m going crazy. I have “checking OCD” and for example I check that my front door is closed and the same instant I turn away, the doubt appears if I checked correctly or I if didn’t. Another example could be, when I check or set a phone setting (that is important to me), the instant I switch screen, I doubt I left the setting the way I wanted it or not. It’s like False Memory OCD, but Immediate False Memory. Any other similar experiences? Thank you for reading me.

Pineapple

Date posted: 5y

Checking is one of the most common compulsions of people with OCD. You are not alone!

Lean73??

Date posted: 5y

Thank you for your answer and your kind words. I can understand the how False Memory OCD works, but Inmmediate False Memory is very scaring. I feel I’m going crazy.

Lean73??

Date posted: 5y

@kshreeve Thank you for sharing. Please read Lazarus85’s answer.

Lazarus85

Date posted: 5y

Well lean there's only one thing to do, you have to do ERP by relying on your senses. Your senses represent the reality, everthing else like your doubts, false memories are just in the imaginary realm of ocd, it's fake. Concerning your false memories, I don't think this is quite right. I think it's more like temporary memory loss . Let me explain. When I was on the road to recovery, my therapist gave me mental tools to control my response to the intrusives thoughts. At first ,when those thoughts were coming up, I wasn't able to use my tools, I was unable to recall myself what to do to control my fear. Why? Because my brain was in panic mode. While in that state of high anxiety, I was unable to think straight or remenber what to do. It's only after letting the anxiety go down on his own a little that I was then able to recall what to do and this is what you have to do too. So close your door, check if it's lock ONCE, is it close and lock? Yes, because your senses, sight and your hand on the door knob , are telling you that it is . Then if after 30 second you're doubting again about that door DON'T CHECK IT AGAIN. It's your ocd talking. Instead, let the anxiety rise up, stay with it long enough for it to go down, because it will go down, I promise and then go about your activities. By doing that you will practice ERP and signal to your brain that there's nothing to worrie about. If you practice this every time that your ocd strike it will fade away eventually.

Lean73??

Date posted: 5y

Thank you very much for you words. They were very enlightening and helpful to me. I had some peace of mind after I read your response. I will follow your recommendation and always rest on my feelings no matter what my mind tells me. Thank you again.

Lean73??

Date posted: 5y

Hello Lazarus85, I was re-reading your answer and you said something about “memory lost” after 30 seconds, but my “doubt” appears the very same moment I turn away after closing my door... not in 30 seconds. Is it any way to solve this? Thank you for reading me.

Lazarus85

Date posted: 5y

@Lean73?? No matter if the doubt comes right after turning your back to the door or later, this doesn't mean anything. All ocd are an intolerance to uncertainty. You have to accept uncertainty like billions of people accept uncertainty about that they might die while driving their car to work each day. You have to do ERP, like I said previously. You could make an imaginary exposure story( ERP) using this app. What could happen if you don't check the door, what are you afraid of?

Lean73??

Date posted: 5y

@Lazarus85 @Lazarus85 Thank you for your answer and help. If I don’t check the door, I’m afraid I might have left it opened or I’d closed the door the wrong way and it is still open.

Lazarus85

Date posted: 5y

@Lean73?? Ok, but what would be the consequences if you don't check that door? How would you feel about yourself if you don't check if that door is closed?

Lean73??

Date posted: 5y

@Lazarus85 I feel in danger if I don’t check and the door is left opened. I would feel at least responsible for that. But the danger for the door being left opened is what I fear the most.

Lazarus85

Date posted: 5y

@Lean73?? So you fear that someone could enter and harm you, like in a home invasion. Right?

Lean73??

Date posted: 5y

@Lazarus85 But I understood, in every single case, no matter what, I have to listen to my senses. ?

Lazarus85

Date posted: 5y

@Lean73?? Yes that's right, but if you want to get rid of ocd, you will have to find THE main fear that is responsible for all your anxiety and compulsions. Then create a story where that fear become reality, so you can expose yourself to it while preventing your usual response from happening. This is what ERP is all about, facing your fear, live with the resulting anxiety for a moment until it goes down. Focusing on your senses ,which give you an anchor in reality, is a great tool for sure. But if you want to get free of ocd faster, then erp could surely help speed things up. I suffered for 30 years with ocd and if it had not been for therapy and ERP, I would still be living the ocd nightmare over and over again today. Because I've tried to free myself on my own for 28 years but it didn't work. Not to say that it can't be done but for sure ERP helped a whole lot. So please just consider erp therapy. I am sure you will get better and I wish you luck on your road to recovery!

Lean73??

Date posted: 5y

@Lazarus85 Thank you so much for your help and support! Best wishes to you ??

AnushLDN

Date posted: 5y

Checking is one of my, if not, my worst ocd trait. Reading (and scanning re-reading) probably the worst. It can take me 5-10 mins to read less than 10 whatsapp messages for example. I know that ERP is probably the solution but I'm just unable to form any sort of consistency. I guess the solution is getting used to that feeling of severe discomfort but most of the time I just cant do it.

Lean73??

Date posted: 5y

Thank you for sharing your experience. Please read Lazarus85’s answer.

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