Random: One of my deepest fears is losing myself ( personality and sense of sanity ) i realize that’s what triggers my harm ocd. That any moment I’m a little depressed or out of it I’m afraid my sense of self is slipping away... can anyone relate to this??

Yes, I have harm ocd and get this when I am going through an episode. It’s almost like I’m hyper aware of every emotion. Any negative emotion means I must be losing my mind or going crazy. I know it’s easier said than done but just try and let go. Let the thoughts and crazy conclusions flow in and just don’t give them a reaction. Try to resist the urge to get to the bottom of everything. That’s what worked best for me

The more you are able to practice this technique; the more it will just become the natural way you handle the thoughts, and the intensity of the intrusive thoughts should lessen. Think of it as retraining your brain. Right now the fear and constant doubt towards the thoughts has trained your brain that there is a reason to fear them! This means your brain will throw more and more of these thoughts at you because you’re always ringing the alarm bells! The more you are able to let the thoughts pass without reacting, the faster your brain will learn to that they are no threat, and you will start getting them less and less, until they disappear completely

Thank you Francis

Do I have to practice this everyday ? And does it feel weird

Also Francis do you have thoughts that make you feel like you are just a body or just a floating spirit or that you were barely put on this earth ?

If you don’t already, I would highly recommend seeing a therapist trained in ERP to help you with this process. It is totally possible to do it alone, but sometimes therapists can give you the initial courage/structure to start fighting back. It’s just a bully that’s all.

Wow I really related to this. About being hyperaware - I myself am a musician and I feel like recently being so hyperaware about my creativity has actually hindered it. Thinking "you must write like this" or " you've forgotten how to make this kind of song" and overthinking every thing I think!!

To your second question, I have not personally had thoughts exactly like those, but I know many people in the ocd community that have had similar thoughts. Living in a dream, not sure if they really exist, etc.