OCD Fear of Going Crazy

Please note:  The information on this page should not be construed as medical advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any condition. The content on this page is written by recovered OCD sufferers, not by clinicians. Read More

OCD Fear of Going Crazy: OCD and the Fear of Losing Control

Do you ever feel like you’re going crazy? Like you might lose control at any moment and do something that you can’t take back? If so, you’re not alone. Many people with OCD experience this fear of going crazy. It’s one of the most common fears associated with OCD. This blog post will discuss the fear of going crazy and what to do if it becomes a problem for you.

Why do you often have a fear of losing control?

It could be that you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. People with this condition often fear losing control. Their disorder causes them to feel like they need to do things a particular way to avoid something terrible. Thus, your life can feel challenging and stressful, as you constantly worry about whether or not you’re doing things correctly. 

There are many different types of OCD, but all involve having obsessions (recurrent and unwanted thoughts, impulses, or images). Also, compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts that you feel like you have to do to relieve anxiety). For example, some people with OCD might be obsessed with germs and contamination. As a result, they might wash their hands over and over again or avoid touching things altogether. Others might be obsessed with symmetry and order, and they might spend hours arranging objects in a certain way or cleaning their house.

Below are some of the main OCD symptoms you need to pay attention to. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please seek professional help:

• Intrusive thoughts or images that won’t go away
• Repetitive behaviors that you can’t stop doing
• Feelings of being out of control or insane
• Excessive worry about germs or contamination
• Extreme anxiety about making mistakes
• Obsessive thoughts about death or violence

Even though individuals with OCD often realize that their obsessions and compulsions are irrational, they feel they can’t control them. Those situations can lead to a lot of anxiety and distress. 

Thus, this condition can interfere with your ability to work, go to school, or even take care of yourself. In some severe cases, people with OCD become housebound because their compulsions are so overwhelming. 

Can OCD cause fear?

OCD can cause fear in a few different ways. One way is that individuals with OCD may worry about losing control. These feelings can manifest as a fear of going crazy or harming oneself or others and can be highly disabling.

Another way OCD can cause fear is by causing intrusive thoughts or images that are disturbing and make the person feel scared, anxious, or disgusted. These thoughts can be so upsetting that you may avoid certain places or situations because they are afraid they will have another thought. 

Furthermore, OCD can lead to anxiety about not performing specific tasks or rituals perfectly. This type of anxiety can be very frustrating and discouraging, leading people to believe that they cannot do anything right. 

For instance, someone with contamination OCD may worry about getting sick even if they have just washed their hands thoroughly.

The critical thing to remember is that these fears are usually unfounded and based on irrational thoughts. 

However, that doesn’t make them any less real or scary for those who experience them. All those types of fears associated with OCD can be intense and significantly impact the individual’s quality of life. Thus, many people with OCD feel like they live in a constant state of danger, which can be very frightening.

Can OCD make you go going crazy?

Individuals diagnosed with OCD often worry about “going crazy” in two ways. Either they will have a sudden, uncontrolled outburst of chaotic thoughts and emotions or become permanently fixated on a single disturbing idea or image. 

Either way, the fear of losing control is incredibly distressing. It can keep people from living their lives to the fullest. For many OCD sufferers, the fear of going crazy is genuine. That is because OCD can cause a person to feel out of control and unable to cope with their thoughts and feelings. Therefore, they often worry that they will “snap” and become out-of-control, violent, or irrational one day. It can also be hard to understand why you feel this way, which can feel like you are losing your mind. 

OCD fear of going crazy may also relate to the fact that the disorder causes a person to experience intrusive thoughts and images. These thoughts can be frightening and overwhelming, leading the person to believe that they are going crazy. It is important to remember that these thoughts are not valid, and you will not lose your mind. However, it can be hard to shake this fear when it is a vital part of OCD.

Can OCD make you feel crazy?

The answer to the question is Yes. OCD can make you feel crazy, and the reason is that this condition is all about control. We already know that It’s an anxiety disorder for which obsessive thoughts and compulsions are specific. And those obsessions and compulsions are all about controlling your environment, thoughts, and behavior.

Therefore, when you have OCD, you’re constantly worried about losing control. You’re worried that you’ll do something embarrassing or that you’ll get sick, or that something terrible will happen to you or someone you love. And all of those worries can make you feel like you’re going crazy.

What’s more, people with OCD often try to control their symptoms by avoiding certain situations or doing things repeatedly (like hand-washing or checking locks). But that only makes things worse because it just reinforces the idea that you’re not in control.

Nevertheless, It’s normal to feel a mix of emotions when you’re first diagnosed with OCD. You may not know what is happening to you, and the fear of losing control can be terrifying. It’s natural to understand your condition and learn all you can about it. Thus, don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Make sure to get plenty of rest, eat healthy foods, and exercise. These things will help you stay strong both mentally and physically as you work on overcoming OCD. Remember that there is hope, and you can overcome this disorder with time and effort.

How to deal with OCD fears of going crazy?

The good news is that there are treatments for OCD that can help you regain control of your life. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments. It teaches you how to challenge your obsessive thoughts and resist your compulsions. 

There are also medications available that can help reduce the symptoms of OCD. If you are struggling with OCD fears, it is essential to remember that these thoughts and feelings are not reality. They are just symptoms of your condition. You have not lost control – even if it feels like you have.

There are several things you can do to help manage your fears:

• Talk to someone about how you’re feeling. It can be a friend, family member, therapist, or support system.

• Challenge your negative thoughts. When you have an intrusive idea, try to question it. Why am I thinking this? Is there any evidence to support it?

• Accept your fears. It can be tempting to try and avoid anything that triggers your fears, but this will only make them worse in the long run. Facing your fears head-on is often the best way to deal with them.

• Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. These can help to calm you down when you are feeling anxious.

If you are struggling with OCD, please know that help is available. There are many effective treatments available, including therapy and medication. 

A final thought on fear of going crazy

OCD can make you feel like you’re going crazy, but it’s important to remember that these thoughts and feelings are just symptoms of the disorder. There is hope, and you can overcome OCD with time and effort. If you are struggling with OCD fears, please talk to someone about how you’re feeling. You don’t have to live with the fear of going crazy. You can get better. If you need support during your recovery journey, you are more than welcome to join our OCD community. We are here to help and support each other.