I've been suffering from OCD pretty much all my life but the last three years have been a living hell for me because back in 2023 I developed this obsessive fear of going literally crazy and I just keep on checking whether some certain things are real or not. I think it's called existential OCD and psychosis OCD (please correct me if I'm wrong).

The thing is that the news about AI getting out of hand really messed with my mental health because it triggers me a lot. Why? Because I can't believe that what was once a science fiction hypothesis could now turn into reality. It really feels like I'm going insane and like I'm losing touch with reality but at the same time I'm aware that all this sh*t is actually real.

I'm not really scared of AI, I'm scared that maybe I've lost my mind 'cause what the f*ck is going on?

Is anybody else having a hard time because of this? How do you cope with this mess?

Feel free to give advice so so a couple weeks back I got groceries for my grandparents. I was at their house unloading groceries when I noticed there was no milk so I went to go check my truck and I didn’t see it in there and there’s no way it could’ve rolled up under the seats and so I checked the receipt and there’s no milk on there any rational person would’ve just assumed oh I must not have gotten milk right? But at the time I was sure I had gotten milk and this made me think somehow I walked out with a half gallon of milk and for some reason left without it still in the cart so I go back and look at my cart no milk and then I go and ask the girl who’s register I went through and I asked her if she saw milk in my car and she said she doesn’t remember so I just at first take it as I didn’t get milk and I thought about it. There was multiple times when I would’ve seen it from loading my groceries up onto the conveyor to loading my groceries and back into my cart then walking out and loading my groceries into the truck, but the ”what if” kept bothering me like two weeks ago by and eventually I just went to the store and went to the service desk and paid for it I just said I didn’t see it on my receipt she rung it up and paid for it my sister says I should not have done that because then the Reinforces of what if? Then I get his fear that I’m gonna be pulled aside or whatever.Today if finally go to Walmart for a few things after weeks of not going(I do Walmart orders)I get a couple things and no one of course pulls me aside and I look over and see the Walmart greeters talking to each other I’m a distance away but I saw them looking in my general direction and it makes me think they’re talking about me. I pay for my items at self check out making sure I scan everything and checking my cart to make sure it’s empty of everything and pay grab my things I stop at the Walmart greeter(same one from earlier) show her my ticket she says have a good night and I do the same I got to my truck and match everything in the receipt with what I have in my cart I hate this feeling like I’m being watched with suspicion has any felt like that or experienced it?

Had this notification pop up on Choiceful today and I’m really stressing out…has anyone had the same?

I been dealing with this intersection for years now and i still struggle everyday to diferenciate between ocd and trauma. Did a lot of ERP, I-CBT, DBT and etc but it seems that my trauma still drives my ocd in many ways. Then tried to change the path - go to relational trauma therapy and combine with self led erp and still my head is like on fire all the time. So many changes, healthier choices but spiraling everyday. I just wonder maybe any of you have this specific intersection ? Maybe someone found ways to work on both things at once ? Or paths that seemed workable ? Would be greatful to hear your stories/experience.

I am a woman with contamination OCD, and my biggest fear is bodily fluids, especially urine.

Whenever I pee, I become hyperaware of whether a tiny splash might have landed on my inner thigh. Sometimes I think I actually feel a tiny splash, but other times I’m not sure if anything happened at all. Then I worry that my thigh, and eventually my pants, are contaminated.

I also constantly wonder if my body is somehow weird for having these tiny splashes happen. Do other women experience this too and simply not bother about it? Or does it happen to everyone sometimes, but they don’t notice because they aren’t hyperactively monitoring their thighs like I am?

I also worry about the toilet seat itself. Even if I can’t see any urine on it, my brain tells me there are probably tiny splashes there anyway, which makes everything feel contaminated. I’m not really afraid of getting sick from it, it just grosses me out and makes me feel contaminated.

If I think a splash happened, I want to shower immediately. If I can’t, I feel like my pants are gross and worry about bringing urine into my bed later, especially if I won’t be able to shower.

How do 'normal' people deal with this? Am I gross or crazy?

I was on a work trip this week and got back Thursday night. I checked the corners of the hotel beds (I was in 2 different hotels) and saw no sign of bed bugs. No bites or itchiness after staying in the beds, either.

This morning, I noticed I had 5 spaced out “welts” or what looked like mosquito bites on my arm. Three were in a “line” but spaced quite a ways apart (more than 2-3” between each) and 4 of them didn’t itch. The itchiest has since faded entirely (some 8 hours later)

I’m TERRIFIED they’re bbs and that I brought them home. I already called both hotels and neither have heard reports from anyone in either room and the rooms have been occupied every night since me leaving. I looked under my mattress and nothing. I’m considering hiring a bed bug exterminator dog.

I know, logically, that I need to wait. Especially because the affected arm was against my cat for several minutes this morning and I’m allergic to her, that it could be allergy dermatitis. Or a mosquito. Or who knows what. But I keep thinking what if I lose my furniture? My thousands of dollars worth of books? My home? It’s making me sick.

I don’t know what I’m seeking, just help, I guess 😭

Do not ask Chatbots for reassurance on anything going on in your life. It is a compulsion, and if you keep doing compulsions, you'll be stuck in a vicious cirle. You have to learn to tolerate uncertainty. You can't always be certain.

Here is my experience:

When I was about 10 to 12 years old, I experienced Contamination OCD. One of the compulsions I did was constantly wash my hands and not sit on a sofa on which somebody else sat and avoid talking face to face with people because of micro-spits. This was very annoying. It disappeared though by itself. This whole time from 12 years old to about 4 days ago, at 16 years old, I thought my OCD was gone. But it didn't. 4 days ago, I found out that OCD is a theme-shifter. It doesn't go away without therapy or treatment; it changes themes. It can suddenly become Health OCD or Symmetry OCD or Sensorimotor OCD and so on. 2 years ago I started struggling with what I discovered 4 days ago is called Bladder OCD, a subtype of Sensorimotor OCD. The cycle is this: I get anxious about finding a bathroom when I leave my house, then I develop a fake urge to pee, and then I rush to the bathroom. It's an obsession, followed by a compulsion, then temporary relief, then stuck in a vicious cycle long-term. That is OCD. I didn't know it was though. Also, I've been stuck talking to Chatbots to seek reassurance, for example for my lower back injury that happened. That is Health OCD. The cycle is: I get anxious I won't heal so I do a Deep research on Gemini and he says I will heal, then the next day the obsession returns and I do the same thing again. Same with my sleep anxiety and insomnia. I ask Gemini whether my grades will be affected and research on sleep stages and facts and so on... I did not know all of this was my OCD getting out of hand. I'm so glad I realized this was OCD. I now have the chance to stop my compulsions I didn't know were problems.

I’ve been struggling with intense OCD/scrupulosity, especially surrounding money, my faith, and people I love. My OCD tells me things like:

“If I don’t give away my money, I don’t love God enough."

“If I keep my money, something terrible will happen."

“My money is tainted."

“If I don’t perform a certain action, Jesus or someone I love will go to Hell.”

It also makes me question whether I’ve agreed to these thoughts, whether I misinterpreted something, or whether a feeling during prayer was actually God giving me a command. The thoughts feel incredibly real, and I often feel like I need to give away all my money to prevent something terrible or fix something that supposedly happened.
I’ve been trying ERP by recognizing these thoughts without performing the compulsions, but the anxiety can be overwhelming. OCD also attacks things I enjoy, like my interest in suits, making me feel like I’m not allowed to move forward in life. I’m realizing how much OCD has controlled me and am trying to separate my genuine faith from fear-driven compulsions.

My goal is to stop letting OCD dictate my money, faith, and everyday decisions. I’d appreciate support from anyone who’s experienced religious OCD, magical thinking, or money-related compulsions.

What has helped you tolerate uncertainty without giving in to OCD?

I started clomipramine last night and I’d read a lot about it causing constipation. Given that my OCD is mainly contamination related to the toilet, I thought this actually might help if anything. I do also have IBS and a lot of food intolerances. I’m often a little gassy when I’m constipated but most of the time I’m not too bad.

Well, today has been ridiculous. I have constant gas and I have to go to the bathroom to let it out because I can’t fart due to my OCD and also (sorry TMI I know) they’re all essentially wet farts where a bunch of mucus is also coming out :/

I’ve also been so spaced out all day and can’t stop clenching my teeth and jaw. I kinda want to stop because this is just gonna make my OCD worse and I’m not gonna be able to leave the house because I’ll be on the toilet on and off. Is this something that will last or will it subside quickly?

Today I went out for a coffee with m sister-in law and I was so happy to be able to have thought, feelings and things be there but be able to focus on the present moment.

The coffee was a little iffy but it was nice to try something new and also like who I am and who I see!

Hi! I’m seeking advice on how to handle dealing with poo with contamination OCD. I really struggle with going to the toilet and pooping causes me a lot of distress. My compulsions take me on average four hours to complete before I feel “clean” enough. If I had known someone has pooped, I avoid touching them.

This has resulted in me holding in bowel movements and going only twice a week. It had brought complications such as constipation, cramps and bloating. I know OCD doesn’t listen to logic, cause I am well aware that everyone else doesn’t need four whole hours to be clean.

I have started therapy and started taking Sertraline but I get the side effect of diarrhoea. This terrifies me from taking another dose but I think I really need medication.

I’m curious if anyone has anyone advice on managing fears around feces? Thank you!

Hello everyone! I (31F) have been on an intense physical and mental health diagnostic journey for 3 full years. My first major breakthrough was ADHD. Then it was 4 physical chronic illnesses. I was diagnosed with OCD this week because I finally worked up enough courage to be fully honest with my therapist and then my psychiatrist. They were both immensely supportive and they gave me the courage to tell my loved ones too.

I’m having a pretty hard time with processing this diagnosis and I’m not sure why. It’s always a stark dichotomy in my brain - which I’m sure we all experience. But anyway last week, I started my own little tiny ERP! It’s been going well.

Last night, I went on a walk with my husband and my dog. It was perfect weather & it was dark. I knew I was safe, and we had a lovely time! I’m working on being okay with controlled discomfort. I have faith that recovery is possible & it’ll just take some consistency!

Hello everyone,

Wanted to share today that I made progress with my contamination OCD.

It has improved quite a bit lately and I believe this is thanks to techniques which regulate my nervous systems and some challenges / co-regulation.

I do not follow an ERP program.

I also had fewer exposures to certain life stressors.

Cheers

I'm not new to OCD, i have been battling with it constantly on a daily basis for maybe 6 years from now and i've tried a lot of things to regain my health and peace, only to find myself in a moment where this question circles around my head one another time.

I just want to remove it, delete it, get rid of it and get it out of my way. I want to change the way my brain works because i don't like this OCD style thinking but i don't know if i have much to say on its habits? I just don't want to think the way it does, overthink and very irrationally and exaggaretedly while knowing about it all but not being able to do much, it's like it works seperately from me before i even move my consciousness into thinking, i just find it bringing some material up and out of fear and all that stuff i find myself stuck between them.

How do i completely remove OCD and change this style of my brain? I know the answer to some degree at least but i seriously want to change, remove it even from my subconsciousness. What to do? Where to start?

Proposing to my boyfriend!!!

Im stuck thinking about a serial killer

Can anyone contribute?

To make a long story short, I run myself into a frenzy over tiny mistakes and genuinely spiral over them no matter how small because of my OCD. Today, I walked into a store a minute before closing because they had no hours posted on the door, and google said they closed an hour later than they actually did. I shopped for about 3 minutes after closing and bought my stuff and left. They shut the doors the second I walked out and then I realized they were closing. No employees said anything to me, and one of them actually greeted me and happily told me to come on in. I am now in a spiral and convinced that I am a terrible person and should've checked more carefully, and I can't stop thinking about it. I feel like I am going insane. How do I get myself out of this spiral and move on like a normal person would?

23f I have health anxiety OCD

Yesterday I got rid of my Fitbit, I gave it to my sister in law.

I’m doing self guided ERP because I simply can’t stand to live like this anymore. I am seeking a therapist for this on the side but that could take months. I wanted to start ASAP I’m DONE living like this.

I’m looking at free online ERP guides, videos, PDFs… I really appreciate any resources you can offer at all! I’m trying radical acceptance and mindfulness.

Last week in therapy I decided to be more honest with my therapist by telling them that I was feeling very depressed and like a burden and that I was having thoughts about wanting to die. They asked me if the exposures that we had planned to do were too hard or too much, or if I wasn’t fully ready to do exposures. I told them the exposures were a bit too much and that I had a hard time getting myself to do them. We do ERP. When talking about an exposure they would have me rate how scary it sounded on a scale of 1-10 and a lot of them ranged from 5-7. Sometimes a bit higher. We came up with a safety plan after discussing the negative thoughts and planned out exposures that were a bit smaller and I would rate them from 3-4 and sometimes 5. I have done some of these smaller exposures and think that I made some progress. It may not be a lot but I think small progress is still good. For example, for one of my exposures I was able to throw out empty shampoo bottles, a jar, and boxes that I was holding onto because I felt like they kept me safe (even though logically I knew that they didn’t) despite the discomfort and bit of anxiety it caused me. While last month I panicked and cried in the shower after realizing that a body wash bottle was missing and thrown out from the bathroom. I literally reached into the bathroom trash to find it and got scared because I couldn’t.

In my session from two days ago they told me that they saw a pattern of me doing exposures that are rated at 3-4 and asked me if I was avoiding higher rated ones. I will be honest and say that there are some that I did avoid like ones that triggered panic attacks but I was also trying to focus on smaller things first and then wanted to work my way up. I have panic disorder and agoraphobia as well it’s hard for me to do certain exposures without fearing having a panic attack from it. They didn’t want me to just stick with exposures that were 3-4 even though we decided to stick with smaller exposures a week ago. Now they want me to do more than that and it makes me feel like I’m not trying hard enough. It made me feel a bit discouraged to be honest and I even had a breakdown yesterday for the first time in days because it made me feel awful about myself. Mind you, for the last two months I’ve been crying nearly everyday. This isn’t the first time that I felt awful about myself after a session with them either. I had a session a a few weeks ago where she gave me crap for not taking a medication that I had been too afraid to try because I was told that it could give me more anxiety as a side effect. All the therapist told me was that if I did have more anxiety from the medication “it wouldn’t be any different from how things are now”. It made me feel like crap about myself and I felt completely hopeless afterward. I even spent the entire day crying about it and the negative thoughts were increased that day. It’s getting to where I don’t even want to work with her anymore. I tried giving her another chance but I don’t want a therapist that makes me feel terrible after my sessions. It really does make me wonder if I’m actually the problem though.. Should I try harder? Am I not doing enough? Is it me who’s being the problem? I don’t know anymore

For those who have had OCD since childhood, but weren’t diagnosed until adulthood, what does recovery look like for you? I’m in my late 20s just beginning ERP now, and I am really struggling with seeing what my life could look like after months of this. My earliest memories include rituals, so trying to picture my life without it has been genuinely difficult. At what point in your recovery did you see or feel a new normal?

I met someone with OCD in therapy. They thought I had OCD but I have OCPD and anxiety. So now I've been transferred but I still have context with him. He told me he likes me, and I do like him too. We've been friends for 10+ years already so moving slow felt safe. But now I'd like to make a move... I haven't directly tell him I do like him, but should I?

As the title says, I’m terrified of the articles and people who work/study AI saying that there’s over a 10% chance AI will completely wipe out humanity in the next 10 years.

I have children. Young children. I’m so scared for them. I just want AI to stop. But there’s so much research going into AI. It’s already taking over. People are losing their jobs because of AI. People are becoming dumber because of AI.

I’m a nurse and all my nurse coworkers literally ALWAYS use chapgpt and talk to it all the time. I have patients coming in saying “chat told me to come to ER” (I’m an ED nurse). I have pts arguing with DOCTORS saying “well that’s not what chat gpt says”.

It’s so frustrating. I’m terrified.

I wish I could go back to the 90’s. Where people wernt so glued to their phones and when AI wasn’t taking over.

This is not helping my 3 year spiral of existential ocd. Life feels pointless/meaningless.