OCD, Dreams False Memory?? Helppp

Hello, I have suffered from various types of OCD in the past ranging from HOCD, Scrupulosity, POCD, and a big one for me right now Schiz-OCD. I am writing because recently I had am experience that scared me.

I am Catholic and have been in the process of stopping committing a certain sin, and I have been quite successful so far! It is something that tempts me everyday but I have remained strong. But I had a dream that I was committing the certain sin, and it felt so real and left me questioning for a brief period of time if it actually happened. Now I know deep down that it didn't happen or I would remember it clearly and feel extreme guilt. But it's troubling me that I had to contemplate if it happened or not, it's mainly scaring me into thinking I have schizophrenia. I am scared that I will start to believe that it actually happened and I will start to not be able to separate dreams and reality, the thought terrifies me. Also I am scared into thinking well what if it happened and I can't remember or I was hallucinating or something. It does make sense that I would dream something like it though because thoughts of the sin cross my mind quite often.

Sorry if that was confusing but I'm just quite anxious at the moment, thank you if you can help.

Have you ever been officially diagnosed. With all that suffering, have you ever seen anyone?

Anyway, fear of schizophrenia is one OCD/anxiety theme that many people have suffered. I am not trying to take away from the pain you are feeling, but I wanted you to know that you are no alone in this.

OK, so, that nightmare. I think what happened is, you had a vivid nightmare, and then your anxiety kicked in, making a new kind of "fear" which mutated into a fear of schizophrenia (because it had to find a cause - that is the desire of all anxiety, first a sense of fear, then the subject, and then an elevation of fear).

There is nothing in your post that suggests psychosis. But you do seem to have a high level of anxiety working. Have you ever considered seeing someone? It seems like you are a devout Catholic. Have you ever talked to your pastor?

Otter.

Try not to worry about it. Sometimes dreams can seem very real. I've sometimes woken up to find I was still dreaming, I've woken up feeling as if the dream was real. It's all just dreams. You've been particularly concerned about the sin you're trying to quit, so it's natural you'll dream of it, because it's on your mind. Every new job I've ever had, I've done countless times in my sleep. I'm anxious about it. Other things I'm anxious about I've dreamt, and sometimes quite vivid. As Otter said, the OCD wants to latch onto something to worry about.

Otter wrote:Have you ever been officially diagnosed. With all that suffering, have you ever seen anyone?

Anyway, fear of schizophrenia is one OCD/anxiety theme that many people have suffered. I am not trying to take away from the pain you are feeling, but I wanted you to know that you are no alone in this.

OK, so, that nightmare. I think what happened is, you had a vivid nightmare, and then your anxiety kicked in, making a new kind of "fear" which mutated into a fear of schizophrenia (because it had to find a cause - that is the desire of all anxiety, first a sense of fear, then the subject, and then an elevation of fear).

There is nothing in your post that suggests psychosis. But you do seem to have a high level of anxiety working. Have you ever considered seeing someone? It seems like you are a devout Catholic. Have you ever talked to your pastor?

Otter.

Thank you very much for your reply, I really appreciate it! To answer your question, no I have never seen someone for this, my parents have talked about me getting counselling many times, but I've always been to scared to go through with it. I know it would help me but I don't know why I can't seem to bring myself to go through with it. But I have for sure thought about talking to a Priest, next time I make a confession I do think that I am going to mention something. I have found ways, such as these forums to help me out, and my dad also suffers from OCD so I will always talk to him about things and he completely understands, so that is a huge help. Once again thank you very much for your help

snaga2.0 wrote:Try not to worry about it. Sometimes dreams can seem very real. I've sometimes woken up to find I was still dreaming, I've woken up feeling as if the dream was real. It's all just dreams. You've been particularly concerned about the sin you're trying to quit, so it's natural you'll dream of it, because it's on your mind. Every new job I've ever had, I've done countless times in my sleep. I'm anxious about it. Other things I'm anxious about I've dreamt, and sometimes quite vivid. As Otter said, the OCD wants to latch onto something to worry about.

Thank you very much for your help, I really appreciate it! Dreams are something that seem to cause me anxiety quite often. Also something I'm scared about is doing something and somehow not remembering, that may sound odd but its something that makes me anxious. And I also get scared that I didn't actually experience something and I was just hallucinating, I guess its all just part of my OCD making me doubt my own memory, at least I hope. Anyway I'm glad someone else has similar experiences haha, thank you again!!

Oh yes, I have intrusive thought OCD that tells me I might do things in my sleep and but be in control of myself. I've learned to usually put the more outrageous ones in their place.