Feeling hopeless, solipsism ocd.

Philosophical warning:

For 6 months ive been obsessing about solipsism; what if nothing was real, what if my mind created everything. Sounds crazy I know. But it wont stop. Has anyone had this terribly bad and made it through? Is there hope that one day this will be behind me? This is really my first bad obsessive thought, so I don't know how much I should hope. Im trying erp by myself, should that eventually stop the anxiety, which will stop the thoughts? I just want to feel like im with my family again.

Hi! I can see how such thinking would be disconcerting. Please remember that these ideas were proposed by philosophers--and frankly, I think they had little merit.

We'll have to see if anyone else responds and says he/she has gone through the same thing.

I am thinking, though, that talking to a therapist about these intrusive thoughts would be helpful. I suggest you try that approach.

I hope someone has some good news, though I know what turned out alright for them might not for me. I just don't want to be this way forever.

ERP is a lifesaver, but I suggest seeing an ERP specialist... it is extremely hard to be motivated enough to do it on your own... sounds like OCD to me. that being said, if you can do it on your own, kudos to you! but i think a therapist would really help.

Im confused on how erp really helps though, is it when you get over the anxiety you 'realize' this stuff is pretty silly and don't worry about it anymore?

I just feel like the doubt never goes away, even with erp. Im so afraid there isn't a point where I can feel 'certainty' again.

I get so scared of that thought. It creeps me out to the point of shivering and feeling a sort of vertigo. I'm sorry you're going through that and I wish I had a solution. maybe talk to close family and friends about their different beliefs? hearing peoples thoughts on it might help you feel more grounded even if it's not what you agree with.

I have talked to some people about it, it will make me feel better for a little while, but ill start doubting again. Im putting a lot of faith in that the pdoc will be able to help me, if just a little.

“My imagination makes me human and makes me a fool; it gives me all the world and exiles me from it.” ~ Ursula K. Le Guin

Remind yourself that your solipsism is driven by your imagination and imagine something else.

I had a similar experience when I was a kid. I just started freaking out and wondering if anything I believed in was really real. My fear probably originated differently than yours, its kind of embarassing to go in to. I felt like I wasnt attached to my body, I couldnt FEEL anything. It was very very scary. I'm not sure if this is exactly what you are experiencing. But, I am not like that now. For the most part, anyway, although sometimes I still will start to feel that feeling that I'm not in my body anymore, but it doesnt freak me out like it used to. Hope that helps

Im just not understanding erp. Whats the final goal of it? When the fear is dealt with will I see this as the irrational thought I deep down know it to be?

Still struggling with this. Surely someone with ocd overcame this out there somewhere