It feels so real

[Green_icecream]

Hello, I’ve been dealing with OCD on and off for 10 years now but I have reached a low point over the past few months. It is currently the worst I have ever felt and I’m struggling. I’m just curious if anyone else’s thoughts/obsessions feel so real? I find it hard sometimes to decipher between what is reality/fact and what is ocd. I get stuck in a loop of obsessional thinking and I worry that the thoughts aren’t intrusive anymore and that they are just who I am. Has anyone else experienced this?

[MothFir]

I think most OCD sufferers' obsessions feel real. That's why we find them so hard to ignore, regardless of how ridiculous we (on some level) know they are. Are you in OCD therapy and/or taking medication? Both can help!

[Green_icecream in reply to MothFir]

I’m currently neither in therapy or taking medicine. I’m seeing a doctor soon though to start that process. I’ve been trying to self-manage it for a while though and that’s not working anymore.

[MothFir in reply to Green_icecream]

That's good -- I hope you start getting better soon. ERP therapy can help tremendously. If you think you're getting nowhere with it, remember that there is more than one way of approaching it. Keep at it until you find a system that works for you.

In the meantime you might get something out of this article. I like how this therapist mentions several times that OCD fears can feel indistinguishable from the real thing.

cognitivebehavioralcenter.c...

[Green_icecream in reply to MothFir]

Thank you for the encouragement and that resource. The article was very informative.

[good2accept]

Yes, my fears when struggling with ocd felt real to me. If I ask myself “is this ocd” I think the answer is fairly clear - ie. Most people wouldn’t give it a second thought. Labeling it as separate “this isn’t me, it’s ocd” can be helpful for me. Wishing you well.

[Epsom1]

Hi, I've been experiencing the same feelings, for years OCD stopped bothering me however recently it's gotten a lot worse and it's lead to insomnia from overthinking, the pandemic has made my OCD symptoms worse, I do hope we will feel calmer again soon

[Green_icecream in reply to Epsom1]

I’ve had a similar experience where I’ll go a few years where OCD doesn’t bother me very much and then one day it creeps back in and stays for a while. Have you tried ERP therapy or any medications? I pray that you will feel peace soon.

[overthinkingalways]

Hello, I have had OCD and anxiety since I was in middle school. The need to do things in a routine, have things perfectly in order and clean, and having patterns of behavior and thoughts are very real. I go through ups and downs with not wanting to clean, but then the next I will be manic and can't leave without things being perfect. I am on meds for it but it never gets fully erased. Just keep moving, I know its hard. Struggling helps you get stronger. You got this.