Why you have FALSE memories and what to do about it

It's normal to have a memory about something that actually didn't happen. When it's attached to OCD, it can cause a whole slew of problems.

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– – – Disclaimer – – –
For information purposes only. Does not constitute clinical advice. Consult your local medical authority for advice.

[ocdandanxiety]

Do you have a memory that you're unsure of? 🤔

[j.c.denton]

When you said "your job is not to be an investigator" it really resonated with me. For years I have been driven by OCD to be a full time investigator for my own past and it keeps me constantly locked in chronic guilt.

[chrissanchez]

This is very scary when it comes to POCD people tend to suffer in silence.

[crescentmoongirl]

I had finally proven to myself that the false and distorted memories I was having were truly a lie and then my brain just came up with some more and threw them in my face I’m so tired of this I just want to crawl into a hole and disappear 😭

[kaihartmann]

Does anyone else develop false memories about very recent events (like same day or a few days later) where your feelings tell you you did something, but logically it seems otherwise, and your imagination seems to hijack your memory and makes it seem real?

[lihamedi]

The problem is that we often don’t recognize that the unnecessary thinking of the past is stealing from my time today. We often don’t recognize that the thought is a false thought. We often don’t recognize that we take it way to serious and we think that it is super important that we think it through. It is all about recognizing and realizing the thought.

[XOWOART]

My false memories are of losing money or gold or accidentally giving someone money or gold, it’s my severe obsession and your video really helped me today to let go of my past thoughts that are still in my head and I’m unsure of . Thank you for this amazing video, you’re saving lives like mine ❤

[dogman]

"Haha I remember!"
"it's all fake."

[mallowjim]

This video is honestly a gold diamond because it brings me so much relief without looking for certainty. Everytime I get into the loop I just watch this video, I accept uncertainty and I accept that I can reach for happines without guilt, fear, shame or concern.
Thank you Nathan you really help me a lot❤

[pangyang]

I have OCD and it's very difficult to survive with this order.

[cfjohnson]

True memories will heal me? No? Mind blowing. Even memories that hurt someone might be an exaggerated interpretation! Difficult for me to get my mind around

[Pinkponk]

I experience cptsd and ocd, so false memories can really get in the way of trauma recovery 😞 ive had to learn that i may never know the full truth about the things i experienced, but can still give all those feelings and strange flashbacks love. Ocd wants to fill ALL the gaps, and point fingers... but thats often more harmful than good.
Certainty is not a vital step towards giving ourselves compassion

[therealb]

Important cases where false memories get very problematic & the ERP of not reacting & letting it be there is when your job relies on accurate memories.

Let's say you are victim, witness or an investigator, etc.

Or even something as simple as recalling your own experiences to discuss them with your therapist. You need that accuracy, something OCDers struggle with is verification of false memories, leading to endless loops.

[julia]

Thank you for the wonderful video!) I experienced both real event OCD and false memory OCD. I think that these types of OCD are the most torturous😣

[duncanhough]

Thank you for this video. I suffer with both real event and totally made up false memories. One real event false memory has been torturing me for 23years. Even in the past when I have been able to completely disprove a false memory it isn't long before it's replaced with another. When I try to analyse the content of a fase memory it changes in a negative way and I end up with a false memory of a false memory. 🤔 It is only now I realise I truly need to try and embrace uncertainty (not just say I will), which will then change my response to any false memory.

[TheFloridaTraveler]

I have a bunch of false memories of previous girlfriends, all mixed up in different situations. It's scary sometimes, because I really do think they were in certain places when it was actually somebody else.

[soundscape]

Loved the inclusion of the old footage... it makes you quite relateable to all of us.
The topic of false memories is quite interesting... thanks for another great video.

[pangyang]

I have lot's of memories that I'm unsure really it's very difficult to live in OCD.

[shawnleong]

You mentioned that all ocd are the same, but in this video you said there are “scarier” false memories? It’s very triggering Nathan! It made me feel like my false memory that I’ve harmed a stranger (I don’t dare to say the word k*ll) is the worst and most incurable

[Eibethh]

Your videos are amazing. I’m a young mom with OCD & this is so helpful. Thank you, God bless.