The Battle Within: Existential OCD and Me

The battle within: existential OCD and me. I don’t personally have existential OCD, but I can’t imagine the torture that OCD sufferers go through each day.

Just the intrusive thoughts that go through their minds. Before now, I couldn’t even handle anxiety or depression, but being bombarded with thoughts of repitition is unfathomable.

Existential OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) is not the same as the common type of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

It is all about experiencing unwanted and repetitive thoughts that raise the level of anxiety.

Some people call it “deep thinking” According to research, symptoms, and experiences of OCD can be different for everyone.

Intrusive and repetitive thinking in existential OCD mostly revolves around questioning the purpose of life, feeling anxiety related to death.

Also, wondering what’s real and unreal, and feeling an intellect approaching doom.

Existential OCD Causes

The battle within: existential OCD and me. There’s no single cause of existential OCD, but several factors may play a role, including:

Life events. Stressful or traumatic events can trigger existential OCD for some people. As a result, these include illness, death of a loved one, relationship changes, pregnancy, job loss, or abuse.
Environmental factors. Family history and upbringing can also contribute to the development of OCD.
Mental health conditions. Altogether, anxiety disorders can make people more prone to existential fear and worry.
Lifestyle changes. Lack of sleep, not eating enough, or not moving enough can trigger OCD symptoms.
Media. Additionally, movies and TV shows that explore philosophy or reality can be triggers, as can ordinary conversations on these topics.

Therefore, people with existential OCD may spend hours fixating on questions about life, death, or reality, which can cause distress, anxiety, and depression.

During treatment, people may work to direct their attention away from the causes of their OCD.

Existential OCD Symptoms

Sometimes, the symptoms can be around philosophical ideas, or sometimes they can be around fear related to human existence, the universe, or life.

Therefore, it is really important to learn about the right difference between existential OCD and OCD so that we can aim for the right approach.

Some of the common signs and symptoms of existential OCD are:

firstly, derealisation
depression or anxiety due to intrusive and repetitive thoughts
obsessive thinking about the human existence
fourthly, seeking constant reassurance or double-checking facts
unable to apply logic to philosophical questions or thoughts
lastly, constantly doubting answers or facts related to philosophy

Moreover, people experience various types of obsessions during experiencing existential OCD like:

firstly, purpose of living
constantly obsessing over the philosophical or religious path
doubting the inevitability of death
doubting the nature of the universe or existing reality
lastly, doubting or obsessing over the existence

Additionally, people who experience existential OCD can have compulsions like:

firstly, obsessively researching philosophical questions
pondering over someone’s existence
constantly seeking approval or reassurance over someone’s crossing the right path
lastly, doubting conclusions provided over the facts

Difference between Existential OCD and OCD

The battle within: existential OCD and me. Existential OCD is not only about obsessively thinking, feeling, or behaving about something specific.

But, it is all about thinking about the existence or philosophy of life which is completely different from the general symptoms of OCD.

Accordingly, people with existential OCD are considered to be deep thinkers because they keep on thinking about the same thing for hours without getting anything done.

They are fully devoted to figuring out the existence, meaning, or purpose, which most of us don’t even bother about!

Existential OCD Examples

As a matter of fact, existential obsessive-compulsive disorder can cause people to obsess over life and purpose, and struggle to cope with doubts and fears.

Some examples of compulsions include:

Ruminating. Constantly thinking about the meaning of existence, or reviewing events to determine if they were real
Researching. Especially, reading philosophical and scientific texts, or searching the internet for answers
Seeking reassurance. Asking others for their opinion on life and death, or asking them to confirm that their ideas are correct
Avoiding. At the same time, avoiding media or conversations about life, death, and reality, or avoiding anything related to the topic, such as movies about simulations
Mental checking. Constantly testing to see if they feel in touch with reality
Questioning. At length, questioning others about their religious beliefs, or doubting logical conclusions

Certainly, these compulsions can become severe enough to affect someone’s ability to function in their daily life, and can lead to other mental health symptoms, such as depression.

Henceforth, relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery, may also help manage physical symptoms of anxiety and stress.

Existential Intrusive Thoughts

The battle within: existential OCD and me. Furthermore, existential intrusive thoughts are a symptom of existential obsessive-compulsive disorder.

People with existential OCD experience repetitive, uncontrollable thoughts about philosophical and existential questions that are impossible to answer.

Indeed, these thoughts can be frightening or philosophical in nature, and may center around the meaning of life, the universe, or one’s own existence.

For example, someone with existential OCD might have intrusive thoughts about “What is my purpose?” or “Is there life after death?”

People with existential OCD may also experience frequent doubt about their perceptions of reality, as well as feelings of depersonalization and derealization.

However, these feelings can make their doubts about reality worse.

Existential OCD Treatment

ERP for Existential OCD

The battle within: existential OCD and me. Fortunately, exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, a well-established and highly effective therapeutic approach for all themes of OCD. This can be effectively used to address existential concerns.

Generally, ERP works by guiding you to confront your obsessions and anxiety. Thus learning to sit with uncomfortable feelings rather than seeking a false sense of certainty through compulsions.

In the context of existential OCD, therapy exercises may include listening to lectures discussing theories about simulated reality. Also, engaging in discussions that invite doubt about existence.

Specifically, simply reciting statements like “The world may or not be real. Whatever—I’ll keep living my life.”

Therefore, by changing their relationship with uncertainty, people undergoing ERP for existential OCD can greatly reduce the discomfort and anxiety associated with their obsessions.

Existential OCD Medication

Some medications that can help treat existential OCD symptoms include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are a type of antidepressant:

Citalopram (Celexa), Clomipramine (Anafranil), Escitalopram (lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), and Sertraline (Zoloft) are all SSRIs.

However, the American Psychiatric Association suggests switching to a different SSRI if the one you’re using isn’t helping. TCAs such as clomipramine may also be used if SSRIs don’t help.

Clomipramine, a type of medication called a tricyclic antidepressant, is also effective at treating OCD symptoms.

But tricyclic antidepressants are known for their increased risk of side effects, such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and drowsiness, among others.

Existential OCD Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is a treatment approach with promising results. CBT effectively addresses distorted perceptions and promotes a more grounded sense of reality.

Other options

Also, studies have shown that several other approaches may be effective for lowering OCD symptoms, especially in people with severe OCD. For example, transcranial magnetic stimulation and deep brain stimulation are two procedures that may help lower OCD symptoms.

Existential OCD Recovery

The battle within: existential OCD and me. Although there’s no cure for OCD, research has shown that treatment is an effective way to reduce OCD symptoms and improve the quality of life for those with the condition.

Hence, therapy can help teach you the skills needed so that you can better cope with your triggers when you encounter them out in the world.

And medication can be helpful for managing the anxiety and other mental health symptoms that OCD can cause.

Sum It All Up

The battle within: existential OCD and me. So, existential OCD is a subtype of OCD that causes someone to experience obsessions related to philosophical and existential concepts, questions, and fears.

It’s common for people with existential OCD to think about life, death, reality, and the universe. Also, to engage in compulsions like mental checking, rumination, and reassurance seeking.

I would feel like I was trapped in this mind and body that I can’t control and want out of. Not thinking reality is what it really is. Ruminating over the question of existence.

Doing this post, I have more of an understanding what existential OCD really is and how it affects people and their psyche. Until next time…