Everyone experiencesobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)differently.
This is referred to as existential OCD.
This article discusses the symptoms and treatment for existential OCD.
Solskin / Getty Images
Solskin / Getty Images
What Is Existential OCD?
Existential OCD vs.
Philosophical Questions
Everyone has philosophical questions about the meaning of life such as Why are we here?
or Where do we go when we die?
At times, these compulsions can interfere with daily life.
The following are ways a specialist might approach the disorder.
These thoughts are challenged with the help of a therapist and then replaced with more supportive ideas.
CBT also includes learning how to manage emotions and reactions to daily life.
ERP also includes experiencing the emotions and anxieties that thoughts create and learning how to manage them without responding.
Mindfulness is becoming aware of ones emotional reactions without judgment.
Over time, an intrusive thought becomes less critical and easier to manage.
An existential crisis might encourage fear and panic about identity and the future.
The punch in of existential crisis a person experiences can depend on their age.
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