I read online that people with OCD have a higher risk of developing schizophrenia (x6 more risk). and this really sent me down a spiral since my only obsession is developing schizophrenia, and I was comforted by the fact that only 1% of the general population has it. idk what to do now

Your fear of schizophrenia is worse than the disease itself. Why not accept what may come ? There’s nothing to do but learn to accept uncertainty. Your ocd is the one ruminating about schizophrenia, evading it’s own torture by torturing you about another mental disease. Don’t you see how much of a trickster ocd is?? It wants you to focus on a mental problem you don’t have, while simultaneously making your ocd worse. OCD is what you need to focus on and overcome, not schizophrenia.

very well said! my first obsession was this same thing.

This might be a stupid question but how am I supposed to accept this?

@woeisme By allowing the feeling to come and not giving in to any compulsions. Saying to yourself “I accept this possibility.” By exposing yourself to the worst case scenario over and over. By not trying to resist the feeling. For example of a feeling came up and instead of going, “I hate this, I don’t want this to happen.” Or looking for reassurance and going on google and finding out that one percent of people have it, and actively seeking comfort. Instead of doing this, just sit with the feeling and don’t do anything. That’s how you start to accept

@Sasha finding comfort in that there is a 99% chance that the average person won't get schizophrenia isn't compulsion though? but what if the worst case scenario is objectively bad? I'm not afraid of schizophrenia itself, it's that I live in a low-income third world country and I'm wholly dependent on myself to survive, if my brain goes haywire, then my life is essentially ruined. that's terrifying won't you agree?

@woeisme It is a compulsion. It’s reassurance seeking. What if tomororw the reports say that it’s a 20 percent chance? How will you deal with that news? You will need to find another way to comfort yourself. You are not afraid of Schizophrenia, you are correct! Your OCD has latched on to an uncertainty and wants YOU to find reassurance that you will be okay. Is your situation terrifying? It is if you give in to your OCD desires. Terror is what the ocd feeds on. It loves it. It means that if you’re terrified you can sit inside and ruminate and not live the amazing life that you could live without terror. What good is your “presumable” worry going to do for you? I can tell you what not giving in and accepting your ocd will do for you. It will give you so much more time and energy to live your life.

@Sasha yeah fair points :/ tysm for taking the time to comment.

Also- “objectively bad” or “subjectively” doesn’t matter. Anything can cause you ocd, and the process of getting better is treating them all the same. You “might” get an “objectively bad” disease, you might not. Once you accept this, you can start to live a life not consumed by ocd. It’s possible to deal with “objectively bad” things and still not be terrified by them. Many people go through many tragic situations and don’t ruminate or seek comfort. OCD wants us to believe that we need it to survive. WE don’t.

makes sense. thanks again 💕