Existential OCD patients frequently get obsessed with concerns about the meaning of life, which may be quite stressful and draining and get in the way of pretty much everything, including living an everyday life. ‘What is the reason for my existence? Why are we even bothering to be here? Why should I care about anything if there is no God to care about?’ It is a really burdening experience. But, hey. Simply because you struggle with invasive ideas does not mean that you are a dreadful person. These thoughts are caused by a malfunction in the brain and are not indicative of who you are as a person.
Find out more about existential OCD in the lines below. Keep in mind that seeking the assistance of a trained expert is essential, whether it be for yourself or for a loved one.
What Exactly Does Existential Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Mean?
Existential OCD is a kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in which individuals are obsessed with philosophic questions about life. Consider the following illustrative examples:
- You sit in front of a mirror for long periods of time, pondering whether or not the image that you see is indeed you.
- Your acquaintance has brought up the need to have a career that has “purpose.” You become fixated on the word “purpose” and make determining what yours is your primary preoccupation.
- You seem to be obsessed with the notion that everything else in the world is far more extensive than our little corner of it. You believe that there is no significance to anything since humans are so insignificant.
- You can’t get your mind away from the question of why all of us are even on this planet. You start to entertain the concept that someday you will pass away, and after that, nobody will be able to recall who you were.
A person who suffers from existential OCD is anxious to discover solutions to these issues and will dwell on them until they really do. This matter is in contrast to someone who considers these concerns and then moves on. Even in that case, they may wake up the next day with a fresh set of questions and begin the process all over again.
How exactly does one deal with and treat existential OCD?
It is possible to recover, and treatment can be of assistance. People can learn to analyze, recognize, and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors via the use of several treatment choices, such as mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (commonly known as CBT), which is one of the best treatment options available.
Exposure Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) is another method that may be utilized in the treatment of existential OCD. The process of exposure and response prevention (ERP) is when a person deliberately exposes themselves to the thing that they are afraid of on a repeated basis without engaging in any behavior that is intended to reduce or eliminate the fear.
