Anyone else have sensations that mimic their obsessions?

[Oscarwilde22]

I have a hard time explaining this, but does anyone else experience sensations or feelings that mimic their obsession(s)? For example, I’ve read that people with contamination OCD will be fed sensory experiences that make them feel dirty e.g. skin itches etc. In the past, I had harm obsessions and I would feel pressure on my wrists and neck.

Currently, it gets to the point that the obsession becomes reality. I have an obsession that I can’t think clearly and my brain will focus on this while I presently have difficulty thinking clearly. Another example is a fear of erectile dysfunction which causes me to actually experience ED.

Are these feelings from OCD or anxiety (or something else)? Anyone have any luck treating them?

Thanks

[JoeS00]

I understand what you are saying. With OCD your mind gets focused on something too much that you feel is real. It has happened to me with contamination. I used sometimes to feel this itching you are talking about where I feel my mind is stuck to it. The trick I do is to take a break from my anxiety. First of all I remain calm as much as I can and I occupy myself with something else for like a minute or 2 until the anxious feeling has faded for the while and the sensory feeling related to OCD is not a problem anymore. It will still get back though but you gotta keep fighting it. The less you respond to it the more it will back off.

[MothFir]

Yes, that has been a big challenge for me with my latest theme of rabies. For months I have been obsessed with the idea of a rabid bat brushing against me or scratching or biting me in such a subtle way that I wouldn't recognize it, and then I wouldn't know I'd possibly been exposed to the disease. I've became aware of all sorts of skin sensations that feel like little prickles, pressures, etc. that give me the urge to investigate. So if I'm walking outside and feel a prickle on the back of my leg (probably caused by my pants tugging on my leg hair, or whatever), I have the compulsion to look behind me and make sure nothing is there. I had never realized how frequently I feel these sorts of things because I never paid attention to them before. Once my OCD gave them meaning I noticed them many times a day or more.

Like JoeS00 said, the problem is usually worse the more I pay attention to it. If I can stay in the mindset that I only need to worry about rabies if there is a legitimate reason that a "normal" person would recognize, I can ignore all the bogus sensations and eventually I don't notice them anymore.

[Blue_Red]

I think a lot of men fear ED especially when they are in the moment or with someone new. They don't want to not be able to please their partner. I have had ex boyfriend experience this anxiety. Give yourself some grace.