Feeling “not ocd enough”

I am struggling with a lot of the concepts I'm learning about OCD and whether they actually apply to me.

hmmmm....that's a good question. Just today I was thinking about how my suffering is so much less than other people with OCD, and that I didn't know how to quantify my suffering. It is true that mine is much, much less. It's also true that sometimes I want to express how much suffering I still have. I think it's kind of a philosophical question. The same is true with people with cancer. Every treatment is different. Some people suffer more or less. But you still acknowledge everyone's journey.

Ocd definitely exists on a spectrum. Some people have a really really hard time with it, some people just have a few ocd-esque behaviors. Ocd isn’t a label you have to live up to. Each person’s experience is valid and unique. You are a person who struggles with ocd sometimes. Regardless of the frequency or severity of your struggles, knowing how to handle your obsessions/conpulsion can help your ocd from growing and getting worse.

Do you care to share what your experience has been like?

Yes to all the questions lol, everyone’s ocd is so different and manifests itself in so many different ways. Not to be cliche but it really is like comparing apples to oranges sometimes

This has been something on my mind as of late because I feel like I have mild manifestations of OCD and it isn’t enough (in my head) to be considered actual OCD and because I don’t do any outward compulsions, and my themes ‘feel’ brief and constantly jump around on any given day…. though I have moments of huge obsessive thoughts and feelings that feel overwhelming, but when they pass I feel like I made a big deal out of nothing and I either move on or just replay it in my mind…idk. I guess its different for everyone.

I felt that, definitely. It was an OCD thought for me. Whatever prevents you from living your best life is OCD.

No same but I think this is part of it and the fear of being in denial

Hello, That's a great observation! Yes, you can have obsessions about questioning if you really have OCD. Luckily, the way to practice ERP with this type of obsession is the same as any other obsession. Sit with the uncertainty and resist the urge to engage in any compulsions. If you are unfamiliar with ERP it is the gold standard for OCD treatment. Additionally, we specialize in OCD treatment using ERP at NOCD. Here is a video talking about ERP. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEWzOAGaypY

yes this is meta ocd in itself

Yes I believe it is. I have this thought also. I will compare my situation to others’ and it will make me worried that what I’m going through is not even OCD. Some people seem “more” OCD to me at times. But not everyone’s experience is a size fits all.