What is Existential OCD?
By : Katherine Pica LCSW
When you’re younger, you learn a lot of different things. You learn the basics like how to spell, how to read, how to count, and how to tie your shoes.
As you grow a little older, you learn how to form sentences and paragraphs, and how to write short stories or papers. You learn how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Your parents teach you about house chores and rules like washing dishes, mowing the lawn, or doing laundry.
You learn a lot throughout your lifetime. But life has some unanswered questions that can lead to a lot of uncertainty, especially for individuals suffering from existential OCD.
What is existential OCD? Let’s find out!
What is Existential OCD?
Existential OCD is a form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder generally involves intrusive or unwanted thoughts that drive a compulsion to temporarily relieve fear or anxiety.
Existential OCD involves obsessing over philosophical ideas in relation to life, the universe, and human existence in general. Typically, the questions or obsessions that an individual with this type of OCD has are questions that cannot be answered.
Here are a few examples of the thoughts of someone struggling with existential OCD:
Am I really here?
What is the point in life?
Is there a God?
Does anything I do really matter?
What is my purpose in life?
What happens after death?
The Symptoms
These are some of the most common signs and symptoms of existential OCD:
Anxiety
Constantly questioning the reason for the existence of others and oneself
Depression
Doubting any answers to philosophical questions
Fear of being on the wrong path in life
Feeling that the world isn’t real
Not being able to apply logic to philosophical thoughts and questions
Not having the ability to reason with philosophical thoughts and questions
Not being able to handle any uncertainty
Repetitive thoughts
Refusal to accept answers to questions they may have
Ruminating
Seeking reassurance
The constant need to double-check the decisions of others and oneself
The Obsessions
Obsessions are the reason for anxiety in individuals with OCD. These are some of the most common obsessions of someone who is struggling with existential OCD:
If they’re on the right path, religiously
If they’re on the right track, philosophically
If they truly exist or not
Figuring out the point of life
Nature of Reality
Nature of the universe
The purpose of living or life itself
The Compulsions
Similarly to other forms of OCD, individuals with existential OCD will feel the need to perform compulsions in order to help ease some of their obsession-related anxiety. These are some of the most common compulsions when it comes to existential OCD:
Feeling the need to find the truth
Excessive googling
Mentally working through answers to their obsessions
Researching, reading, or furthering their education to find answers
Ruminating on past thoughts, actions, or experiences
Seeking reassurance from others
Testing to see if items or people are real, including themselves (for example: checking a mirror to see if there’s a reflection)
Treatment Options
Just like the other forms of OCD, existential OCD can be treated with the help of therapy. Exposure and Response prevention (ERP) therapy is recommended for other types of OCD, and the same applies to existential OCD. This type of therapy approach gives clients quick glimpses into their negative thoughts. It can help you learn new ways to change your ocd. OCD treatment gives you the control to change your way of thinking so you can move past your need to obsess and perform a compulsion.
Next Steps for therapy
If you’re struggling with existential OCD, you’re not alone. You also don’t have to continue to have these intrusive and unwanted thoughts. Help is available to you!
OCD treatment near me
If you have tried therapy before with no success, do you know that there is hope. ERP is evidence based in proven to be effective for the treatment of OCD. All therapists at Resilience Counseling are trained in ERP. We have helped so many overcome the grip that OCD has on them. There is hope and there is help available. If you’re interested in seeking therapy for existential OCD, reach out to us today to set up a free consultation.
Author Bio: Katherine Pica OCD Treatment - San Diego, CA
Katherine Pica is the owner and clinical director of Resilience Counseling. She supervises all the therapists at Resilience Counseling. At Resilience Counseling we specialize in OCD treatment. Katherine has been practicing since 2007 for over 17 years! Trained in ERP for OCD and EMDR for Trauma. Katherine brings years of experience working with OCD to you. Available in San Diego, CA for session in person and all over California for virtual therapy.
OCD treatment near me
Disclaimer : The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional and or medical advice, diagnosis, and or treatment. It is important to always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a mental health and/or medical condition. Never disregard any professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Resilience Counseling website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 or local emergency number immediately.
