Lunch & Learn: Real Event OCD
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- Опубліковано 11 чер 2024
- Host: Chris Trondsen, AMFT, APCC
Panelist: Patrick McGrath, PhD
Real Event OCD is a subtype where one has intrusive thoughts and compulsions around past actions. A person with Real Event OCD experiences intense anxiety over what they did in the past and spends extensive energy attempting to gain certainty about the past event and trying to figure out whether they’ve done something immoral or wrong.
False Memory OCD is a subtype with thoughts and compulsions around doubting a past event. People with False Memory OCD experience frequent doubts about things that have happened to them and they may be convinced that they have done something wrong despite no evidence of these memories being factual.
Both subtypes drive an individual to engage in mental and physical compulsions to gain certainty about their memories. - Розваги
For me, one of the most frustrating things about having this sub-type is that a lot of the ACT resources out there devote so many pages to explaining the idea that "you are not your thoughts". I *know* I'm not my thoughts - my brain can throw all kinds of sick and twisted hypotheses at me and I don't believe they have any bearing on who I am or how I behave in the real world, because I choose which hypotheses I want to "buy into".
But my real events *did* occur, they're things I really did do, that at times had tangible consequences. I still spend a lot of time thinking about how awful they were, and what their consequences will be long into the future. Of course, my memories of the past and speculation about the future are *also* thoughts, and I *do* react to those hypotheses as though they were real, or imminent. I suppose that's where learning about cognitive de-fusion becomes relevant.
It's just that, unlike with other forms of Pure-O OCD, in addition to learning about de-fusion, I think RE-OCD sufferers need more resources that help them learn about unconditional self-forgiveness and self-compassion. I'm so tired of reading these books that cite Beth from Ohio who freaked out about a thought she had about maybe touching someone inappropriately and wonders if that means she wants to do that in real life. That really sucks for her, don't get me wrong! I'd just like something to say, "OK, you really DID do that. Now that?" Because even if the treatment is the same - I have no choice to accept that and direct my attention to more constructive things - the lack of acknowledgement from OCD authors makes their work a lot less relatable for me.
I have been having a real hard time with this from March until now. Months have gone by. I don't even know what to call it. False memory / real event. I have this video saved to watch later along with many others on my playlist. One thing that sometimes helps is trying to enjoy the current today protect yourself you're not going to worry about tomorrow or the next day. On the days that are predictably nice I go outside and allow myself sometime just to enjoy in the present. We lose a lot of time to this but we don't have to lose every day
Hello Chris and Patrick
I mentioned in the live chat that you two make an excellent job of giving out valuable advice and information about OCD but what's best is that you inject some healthy doses of humour throughout the session and that is exactly the right combination.
I was laughing so much at some of the things you said and , to be fair, that , from my point of view, is a good thing as it chips away at OCD's power.
Thank you so much and keep up the good work the chemistry is fantastic!!
It’s mostly not about what if I did that or not. Otherwise it wouldn’t be called “real event” OCD. I think false memory OCD is a bit separate within the subtype. I would have liked to hear more about guilt, and moral scrupulosity around something that did happen.
I'm badly suffering from this shit called real event OCD for more than 2 and a half years. I'm a medical student I can't even focus on my studies. I keep on ruminating about something I did 9 years ago instead of studying. Life sucks! 😥😭
Hey man that sucks. I'll pray for you.
I understand you. I hope you’re better now❤
What about now? How are you?
I have hit and run OCD ,and I keep on playing past incidents in my head all the time ,trying to figure if I really caused the accident or hit the pedestrian or not,it is so much overwhelming for me ,but thanks for this wonderful video ,I got some relief.
WOW. This speaks to my brain sooo much.
What to do when you're false memory/ real event involves others? For me it's animals... I have false memory ocd and I love my animals but now I feel like I am a threat to them... It happens to me in my sleep lately. When I am in the shallow stages of sleep and something happens (like my cat laying next to me or putting her tail on my arm) and than I wake up with full on panick attacks fearing I did something wrong... Like what if I had an urge and acted on it... Even though I don't remember having an urge or any intentions to cause harm... My thoughts are mostly sexual and it's ruining my life... I love animals but I am at a stage when I don't believe in my own memories... I fear that I might be dangerous in my sleep... It is making me doubt everything... And I feel like I can't go on with life because what if I really did do those things my false memories are telling me... There is no evidence of me doing anything wrong but I've lived with the guilt and fear for years now so it feels super weird to just go on with my life like a normal not guilty person...
It feels irresponsible to just live with uncertainty when there is maybe a victim of my bad act somewhere... Especially when the potential victim lives with you and is yours best friend (my cat) ...
That's a common one. OCD attacks the things we love and care about. I know the feeling. For me past drug and alcohol abuse makes me wonder what if I don't remember something
@@Alritealritealrite It's so scary when you can't relay on your own mind... I always had an amazing memory... Especially for details and I was known as the one with a good memory in my family but ironically ocd is latched onto this topic of me not remembering properly or at all or having false memories and this combined with me being very hard on myself is a recipe for a disaster and depression... I had two huge depressive episodes because of this theme.... I overcame so many themes over the years but this one is impossible tl beat... It combines the fear of me hurting someone with the fear of me being a bad person (that's a core fear of mine) and the feeling of responsibility ... Living uncertainty seems very irresponsible to me... How can I enjoy life if there is a chance even 000000,00001% that I caused harm... And especially when it's a sexual theme ... :(
It seems so easy when other suffers say just live in the gray area and accept that you'll never know for sure... But hell how do I know who I am without knowing? :( It's making me very frustrated and angry...
@@simonamicunkova60 I honestly know how you feel. In the past I lost years over a similar theme and I remember how hopeless I felt. A few months ago I got hit out of the blue with something very similar. I definitely don't have all the answers but you're not alone when it comes to dealing with this. Right now I don't have access to therapy or medications so it's me and videos like this trying to make it through. I don't know if you go to therapy or take medications but those things have helped me very much in the past
@@Alritealritealrite I am sorry to hear you're struggling
Yes I am on meds and doing therapy but it's not doing much for me
@@simonamicunkova60 I used to take 200 mg of Zoloft along with other medications. I'm actually going to try and find a way to be put back on something. One thing that I do do is I try and pick a day where I really try and enjoy the day. Like if it's really sunny out and a really nice day I try and put everything off for a little bit. Sometimes that works and helps take my mind off for a little bit. It is hard to find the right medications and the right doses
Well for me I know what I did, but the details are fuzzy. I know the things I've done and I know the memories aren't false. That's why i think real event OCD and false memory are different.