False Memory OCD: What Is It And How To Overcome It

False Memory OCD is the subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) which I struggled with the most before I recovered. In many ways, it was even harder to deal with than relationship ocd or hocd. I often felt guilty or like I'd done something wrong. Thankfully I am recovered now and this video will explore some of the techniques which helped me get there.

False memory OCD can cover a variety of topics, some particularly distressing like assault, infidelity or murder with sufferers seeking constant evidence that their memory is false and chasing an impossible feeling of certainty. This is why the right mental health awareness around this topic is vital so that sufferers can be more understood.

OCD sufferers can often struggle to let memories of the past go. It can help to begin to engage with the idea that there is no absolute truth and to view false memory OCD or real event OCD (as it is sometimes referred to) as an addiction to feeling certain.

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[wesjackson]

Just discovered you and your work. You speak well and sense of course. 🙌🏽

[jennydunn]

ive been having anxious and depressive meltdowns almost every day since my false memory/real event ocd got worse. i dont see a way out, i deny myself basic human needs and happiness because i feel i do not deserve it. everything ive ever done that could be considered immoral - and sometimes even things im not sure i even did - is always in my head and constantly hurting me. im tired of living like that. i feel guilty every single day

[Rttt]

I live in constant fear of this, the thing is, this convinces me I've done something terrible, so it's so difficult to explain it, I was walking home and I kept having intrusive thoughts, when I was about to get home, I had the sudden worry that I had done something terrible. Something had happened that day and I was constantly thinking about it when walking home, and weirdly enough, I can remember what I was thinking at certain places, apart from a very short stretch, so now I'm worried that I had done something terrible there.

Also, if someone was to ever make a false accusation against me, I wouldn't know if I had done it or not. Because I know that my mind will convince me I had. I hate this so much, I'm 15 and I've had Anxiety for around 8 months now, and OCD for around 5 months now. I have never once, told anyone what my intrusive thoughts are, or what my worries are, not even a Counselor or a GP, because I don't know how to say it, I feel like I always need prompting to open up about what they are. This is the first time I've gone into this much detail about my mental health online so it feels like a slight weight off my chest. All I ask for is to live a happy life, like I used to, and to not worry about anything my mind may throw at me. I just want to enjoy life again.

[wren]

Thank you for this. I have had OCD since I was 11. I am now 30. I've conquered many subtypes, but this one still evokes intense emotions because it stems from uncertainty surrounding a real event. I've been in therapy for three years. It took two years to discuss my OCD thoughts with my therapist. I have slowly learned to accept myself, recognize OCD, and allow the uncertainty to be there.
The idea of "needing" OCD because you don't feel worthy/need to keep yourself in check made me cry, because I feel the same way. I'm slowly overcoming it, though.

[jessicarousch]

Literally in tears😭 you are explain this to me and I have felt this for so long and though I was alone… such a scary feeling :(

[stealthmania]

My story- I developed a bad habit when I was 11 or 12 (don't want to mention 😐) and when I was 17 I realised it is bad and I decided to quit that habit but i was addicted to it, with strong will power and positive thinking I overcame it when I was 19, and I was so happy that I overcame it and I was living my dream life !! But after 4 months i came across a news related to that habit which was picked up my brain in negative way and now I feel like I am very bad person and I couldn't accept myself in this way, which is creating immense anxiety in me !! I reassured many times that I was young, it's not a big deal, nobody is perfect! And many other reassurances !! Thank you for this kind video! 😁🙏 I have some good days too in between!

[jesssage]

This helped me so much. Thank you. I love the thought that this hellish few years with ocd could bring me to the highest version on myself: there is no sweet without the sour xx

[warrenmason]

Chronic ocd is hell on a daily basis., but your words are reasuring, thank you for the insight.

[lesstalkmorepics]

you really hit the nail on the head with this one, thank you for putting this out there <3

[jessieessex]

Thankfully I have a natural propensity to accept uncertainty and allow it to be there without judgement of it. :) this video is confirmation that I’m ok, and it just rolled up on my playlist. Thank you algorithms and channel.

[jennydunn]

i get false memories all the time and its destroying my life. usually my real memories are very vivid and i can tell you just about every minute detail. unfortunately i dont have a lot of memories, let alone those i know are real and not made up.
my false memories almost always relate to race and racism - im white and i will literally be sat in bed and suddenly get the thought, "you did something racist the other day" and i will get so worked up over it that i become incredibly incredibly depressed. i will cry until i feel sick and i scream until my throat hurts. i feel like im a horrible person and i deny myself happiness all the time because i feel i dont deserve to be happy.

[gazclint]

Hi I have pocd which for me is the worst one 😢I often drive myself mad thinking I’ve done something horrible, which as led me to contemplating suicide 😢😢, so glad I found your channel

[jaguar]

Thank you for this, I’m the exact same! I constantly worry if I sleepwalk in the middle of the night and I do something terrible and then I can’t remember and then I constantly feel guilty from it and constantly think about it 24/7

[KristoffersonSheldrake]

The biggest thing that’s ruining me is the shame and the guilt from something I can never prove true or false. But the main problem is that I can’t remember when I first had each intrusive thought, it was recent for sure, maybe 2 months ago at most. If I can’t figure out when the first time was, for sure, how can I prove that the things never happened? What if I’ve always been thinking about them? I can’t tell if it’s just doubt and anxiety.

[kiamsia]

I'm so impressed with your content and delivery. Thanks for doing this.

[callazandra]

Your videos and channel have helped me and many others immensely. Thank you, and God bless you all.

[Alritealritealrite]

For going on several months now I've been dealing with this. Wondering if I did something that for years never crossed my mind. That's the only grounding I have is remembering that these things never crossed my mind before but all of a sudden wondering if I did something. I basically come up with scenario and then try to find evidence for it.

[adamdar]

Hi. I’ve suffered from ocd intrusive thoughts and false memory for the past 8 years. It simply started with over checking things such as the taps, windows, etc. Over the years other themes developed such as did I hurt someone, steal, and countless other themes. There are times where I have to record myself when I go out so I know I did not do anything wrong. There is this one thought which in the last 2 years has been causing me the most amount of stress and anxiety. I haven been married for 10 years and a couple of years prior to this, I was in a relationship with my ex. We split up and I’ve not seen her for many years. Now as I’m happily married man, I get images and thoughts of my ex being there and I will have a thought “ did something happen “ did I cheat? I could literally go out for a walk or literally anywhere, and my brain will convince me I’ve seen my ex and something may or may not have happened when she was not there in the first place! Now you can imagine the stress this causes me as a happily married man. My brain convinces me I’ve seen my ex and something may have happened. This particular thought has overshadowed every other thought over the past 2 years. How do I go about recovering from this situation ?

[DebKFairhurst]

Thank you for this ! i have suffered for a long time & am so glad i found you .I will start now with the wonderful advise you have given, I feel up lifted x

[lizkak]

I may not have false memory OCD myself, but your video was very interesting to watch nonetheless. Thank you.