Your Philosophizing Could Be Existential OCD

If your big life questions become recurring and distressing, it could be a sign of existential OCD.

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Everyone has the occasional existential question — Who am I? What is my purpose? What’s the meaning of life? — but when these existential questions become recurring and distressing, it could be a sign of existential obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Also known as philosophizing OCD, this lesser-known subtype of OCD is marked by unrelenting obsessions about life’s biggest questions, leading to cycles of rumination, doubt, and existential anxiety. 

Here, we’ll explore what existential OCD entails, the common thought patterns and behaviors associated with it, and how effective treatment options can help those affected regain a sense of peace and connection to the world around them.

What is existential OCD?

As mentioned, existential OCD is a type of OCD where people become fixated on deep, philosophical questions related to existence, purpose, and reality. Unlike typical forms of curiosity, these questions can cause extreme anxiety, as the mind feels trapped in a cycle of seeking answers to unanswerable questions. These obsessions often lead to compulsive behaviors like excessive reading, researching, or reassurance-seeking, all in an attempt to alleviate the significant distress caused by these existential thoughts.

Here are some common obsessions people with existential OCD may face: 

• What if nothing around me is real? 
• Is there a purpose to my existence? 
• What if my identity is an illusion? 
• What if I never truly understand reality or figure out my place in the universe?
• How can I accept that some things are unknowable?

Signs and symptoms of existential OCD

Existential OCD can be challenging to recognize because its symptoms often appear as deep philosophical musings or curiosity about life’s big questions. However, unlike typical curiosity, for people with existential OCD, thoughts about reality, purpose, or identity create significant distress rather than inspiration, and attempts to resolve these thoughts can interfere with daily life.

Here are some common signs and symptoms of existential OCD:

• Recurrent, sometimes intrusive thoughts about existential topics or questions
• A strong, distressing need to resolve existential questions
• Compulsively reading philosophy, watching videos, or seeking reassurance from others
• Difficulty accepting uncertainty 
• Emotional distress and existential anxiety
• Physical symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, or an inability to focus on daily tasks 

Causes and risk factors of existential OCD 

The exact cause of existential OCD, like other forms of OCD, is not fully understood. However, it’s believed to result from a complex mix of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Here are some common causes and risk factors associated with existential OCD:

1. Genetic predisposition

OCD tends to run in families, and individuals with a family history of OCD or other anxiety disorders may be more likely to develop existential OCD. Genetic factors are believed to contribute to an individual’s likelihood of having a more anxious, detail-oriented, or perfectionistic personality—all of which can fuel obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

2. Neurological factors

Research shows that OCD is associated with differences in how the brain processes information, particularly in areas related to decision-making, risk assessment, and error detection. These differences may make people more likely to fixate on uncertain or abstract topics, like existential questions, and experience intense distress over unanswerable questions.

3. Life transitions or traumatic events

Major life changes, stressors, or traumatic events can trigger existential questioning, which may spiral into obsessive thoughts for those prone to OCD. Experiences like losing a loved one, a career change, or a health crisis often prompt people to think about the meaning of life and existence, which can fuel existential obsessions in vulnerable people.

How to treat existential OCD

Treatments for existential OCD focus on helping people manage their obsessive thoughts and reduce the compulsive behaviors that arise from seeking answers to unanswerable questions. 

1. Therapy 

Evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP), are highly effective in helping individuals with OCD, including existential themes, find relief. ERP involves gradually exposing people to their existential fears or uncertainties without engaging in compulsive responses, such as excessive research or reassurance-seeking. For example, someone might be encouraged to sit with thoughts like, “What if I never fully understand my purpose?” without trying to resolve it. Over time, ERP helps individuals tolerate the discomfort of not having answers, weakening the compulsive need to search for certainty.

2. Medication

In some cases, medication like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be prescribed to help manage anxiety and OCD symptoms. Combining medication with therapy can often provide a comprehensive approach, especially for those who struggle with intense anxiety or depression as a result of existential obsessions. 

3. Self-care

Though not a replacement for other forms of existential OCD treatment, self-care practices can be a vital supplement to therapy and medication in managing the condition. Practicing mindfulness can be particularly helpful; it allows individuals to focus on the present moment and redirect their attention away from obsessive thoughts. Mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and grounding exercises can help ease anxiety and improve resilience against compulsive thinking. Regular physical exercise and a balanced diet also contribute to overall mental well-being, as they help regulate mood and reduce stress, both of which are essential when dealing with OCD.

How Charlie Health can help

If you are struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for young people and families dealing with serious mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, OCD, and more. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With this kind of holistic treatment, managing your compulsive behavior or existential thoughts is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.