What Is False Memory OCD and How Is It Treated?

False Memory OCD is an OCD subtype that involves anxiety about one’s memories, often in the form of distressing doubts about past events or fears of having done something wrong. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath provides an overview of False Memory OCD, some of its common symptoms, and how to find treatment and support if you or a loved one are struggling.

If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. NOCD Therapists specialize in OCD, deeply understand all of its subtypes, and receive specialized training in ERP therapy, the gold-standard treatment for OCD.

[DogMommy.]

That scary part is that it feels so real . And it's like u know one min that's its you're ocd but yet it feels so real

[afreensheikh]

Just had a false memory OCD episode and this described it exactly.

[iancunn]

I’m pretty sure I have this because I’m the kind of person that Has to have every single little question answered in order to be sure about certain things. Because if ONE question goes unanswered, I’ll usually have anxiety

[occasionalclipsiguess]

A story: So i have False Memory OCD. I spent the least year thinking it was PTSD, and so i believed every lie it was telling me. I spent so many nights shaking to sleep and was living in a hellhole. But YESTERDAY i decided to redearch what it was. I kept on looking up 'delusional memory from anxiety', 'delusional memory from PTSD', and i came across these videos. I checked them out and BAM; I had never related so much to these videos and peoples experiences. I feel so relieved that im.not going crazy, that im not the only one. I looked back through my life and realised that i have had the same thought process throughout it. Realising i have had OCD my entire life and that it takes trauma to unlock it has been horrific.

I wish all my fellow FMOCD brothers, sisters, and ENBY siblings a very cosy night. You all deserve it.

[robertsmith]

I pray for all of you who say they have this. I do too. Hes right. Give it time. The clouds will move out.

[chinchompa]

I suffer with this and it’s by far the most difficult thing I’ve ever dealt with . It even takes my intrusive thoughts and thinks I do some of them it’s so confusing

[milesmarquez]

I have this and it’s hell everyday I feel tired I feel guilty and anxious for things that never even happen I try to deny the things I did in these memory’s but that makes it worse every night before I sleep I have to ask did I do that or this and it’s painful to think about I feel like i don’t deserve anything I feel like I’m lying to people when I’m not I hate this feeling and I want I to stop everytime it dose stop it comes back and even worse and I feel guilt and anxious my mind keeps telling me I should be ashamed of myself and sometimes I don’t even know for what and I just agree with my mind but for some reason I feel like I deserve this

[Siouxnatty]

Thank you NOCD for being there to help us who are suffering with this cruel OCD disease!!

[MegaSaanch]

The key thing is that the person feels personally responsible for everything that happens and will then do something to avoid the guilt of the situation

[Kelless]

Oh my gosh. For YEARS I’ve suffered in anguish at times trying to accurately recall something horrific I fear I’ve done in the past... I can’t fathom how in logical actuality but I have never been able to shake this very foggy and butchered “ memory “….I am also in recovery and spent the last 20 years of my like often blacked out and or totally disoriented from alcohol, including when this event may have“ happened “.

It’s gotten so bad I can almost recall trying to cover up the evidence the next day in my mind and it’s like this ridiculous movie. It’s just not possible though I could never live with myself. I’ve always had a conscience that would NEVER allow such a horrific situation to be swept under the rug…It makes me feel crazy and honestly incapable of functioning at times because of the guilt and shame and fear.

I’ve tried to look up false memories before but I never know this was an actual syndrome. I do have ocd and ptsd from childhood. I feel like watching this was a gift from God for some peace… finally.

[williamsnell]

I have this voice in my head telling me that I did a thing which I would not do. But then I get images of me doing it and that voice is saying that i did do it. All of that is just making me insane. Sometimes I can’t get any sleep, i don’t do anything as days go by. Also having constant thoughts about what my friends would think of me if I indeed do that thing.

[xoyouaremysunshinexo]

I had a lot of false memory OCD around zoom. I still think I've accidentally sent personal files in a zoom chat or that I was unmuted in a zoom class and people heard me say something embarrassing. I have gone back and watched class recordings where I thought I was unmuted and I wasn't...but then I think maybe the professor edited it out to protect me before posting or something. I still hold shame around it. It's really annoying. The more stressed/tired I am, the worse it gets. I have false memories of sending embarrassing messages in my college group chat. Even though I scroll back and can physically see that I never sent anything, I will assume someone else deleted it to help me save face or that I deleted it and forget (even though it would say "message unsent"!). It's debilitating and I carry so much shame because I think I did these things and that other people are judging me for them.

[astrowolfy]

Dude The similarities to my own are so surreal

[Sdamn]

I just can't accept what my evil ocd is telling me about my false memory ocd, and I'm starting to feel hopeless. if a ocd therapist can't help me with my issues best believe I'm ending my life because it's everyday that I'm constantly having a warzone in my head about my false memory ocd, nd I've been constantly stressed and severly depressed about it

[hailseitan]

I believe I have this, and it's been ongoing for months now.

[miriammk]

I would have this graphic image in my head and I'd be like did my brain create this image or is it true. It's horrible...

[monimendoza]

I struggle with this. I’m having an episode now and it’s the worst feeling

[Sdamn]

Atp suicide sounds like the best treatment for my false memory ocd cuz I'm still struggling over a year now, and the worst part I keep getting more false memory and they just stacking up and making me numb.

[mancplanespotter]

I have this condition, but a more mild variation of it

It’s easy to detect false memories if I don’t have any anxiety/palpitations, don’t feel guilt or forget about the false memory within a week

But it’s still a painful ordeal to live through

[blckswn____]

I live in fear every single day not knowing if I've done somethong truly horrible or not. Its so scary to accept uncertainty