Does anybody have memory hoarding ocd?

Fear of forgetting resulting in compulsive list making (mental lists and literal, physical lists).

Lists of like tasks/action items, random thoughts of some perceived value, future plans, etc.

what is that?

That's so interesting! I don't have the compulsion to write lists, but it is a fear of mine that I'll forget certain memories that could be important

Yeah its a strange subtype. It’s really hard to differentiate btwn legitimate tasks/items worthy of being written down from delusion.

Hi guys, “memory hoarding” is what I’ve been experiencing for years and years. It’s all about trying to take everything possible in, over-attending to various details to create “full” memories. It gets so irritating when I can’t photographically remember something. It does not even have to be anything important. It usually is not. But if I don’t get it right I get fear that I can’t move on. Or it just feels like something is missing and my life won’t be right until I do it right. It’s just if it gets in my head I can’t get it out and have to go over it again and again.

Hi RyanO! I’ve tried psychotherapy for years including moderate CBT and ERP with no results. I don’t think neither applies in our case unfortunately. SSRI’s were not of much help either though I must point out that I only tried low dosages and for a rather limited amount of time. The worrying bit is I’m so used to this twisted way of thinking that my brain needs complete rewiring somehow... I’ve come to a conclusion that what causes me great discomfort, i.e. the intrusive “memory” thoughts, is what also feeds my brain with contempt when “missing” info is successfully retrieved. I was offered rTMS that I’ve not yet tried. What about you? As I’m sure you know, there are highs and lows and the feeling of helplessness is sometimes so present :(

Hi RyanO! I have lately resisted in enrolling to meds as they come with different side effects, some of which I did experience myself. But I may opt in again as their benefits, if any, may still outweigh the cons. You know, the worst thing with my/our type of OCD is that it is non-predictable. You can be thoughts-free for a day/week or longer and then within a millisecond things may change as something may trigger the reminiscence, e.g. walking down the street and come across someone who reminds me of a person I know (personally, on TV, I’ve met sometime in my life). The process of trying to remember who/when etc “destroys” what I’m about to do (work, shopping, meeting). And completely ruins my mood, of course. There is no way I can get that thought out of mind until the information is retrieved. Negative feelings and stress can increase when that same thought may take place alongside something really important when the focus should be with that activity naturally whereas it seems I can cope with it better when I am in the comfort of my home or if I’m alone - in which case I may actually not get involved in the intrusion unless what I’m trying to recollect is of “significance”. Anyways, is there any way the app allows for direct communication between members? I thought that may help us sharing. As is the case with Group therapy (I’ve tried it once, I’m in London) though sometimes other types of OCD may be somehow irrelavant to how they are approached from a treatment perspective.

Hi RyanO - many thanks for sharing your contact details! I’m on travel for the next couple of days, but I will definitely message you during the week. In the meantime, below is a link I’ve personally found quite helpful in the sense of defining “memory hoarding” in a more scientific/clinical way. They’re also California-based so that might be extra useful for you: https://ocdla.com/memory-hoarding-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-1964 Let’s keep optimistic!

And by “written down” i mean typed into phone notes / calendar / task-organizer apps.

In some way, possibly. I’m constantly setting my phone alarm. This might just be because I’m prone to forgetting some things....

I do that as well - like an alarm for almost every task of the day...

Hi Alfie - exactly. Ive been experiencing this for years too. How have you dealt with it? Ive found traditional ERP unhelpful as the boundary btwn legitimate/note-worthy tasks and illegitimate/un-note-worthy tasks is super nuanced and difficult to traverse. Any successes for you?

Similar story for me. Also considered TMS but unfortunately not covered by my ins. I would 100% do it otherwise since i dont respond well to meds. Ive been on luvox for 5 years and while its helped, its also causes myriad problems for me.

I dont have skype unfortunately!

Any other ideas??

Also, which contact info did i originally give u? Cant seem to remember

Emailed u!

Hi RyanO - just checking my email reply has reached you successfully?

My bad, Alfie. Totally overlooked it. Will read/respond soon!

How are you all doing? I have this exact type of OCD.

Same here!

Hi lolobean. Hi jasonm. What is it you’re experiencing? How do you relate to the above? It’d be interesting to know some more details of what seems to be a more rare subtype of ocd.

I make lists that make no sense - words written over each other...

Help me.. I have this.. I remember dates