Existential OCD (E-OCD*): a subtype of OCD where obsessions are centered on existential questions about the nature of life, death, existence, humanity, and other philosophical, spiritual, and psychological topics where there is no known true answer. While non-pathological “deep thinkers” may also spend time and have great interest in the same questions, for them the process is enjoyable and/or engaging- however, for those with E-OCD, the process is extremely distressing and induces overwhelming existential dread. It can cause someone with E-OCD to question everything about life in such a way that it prevents them from living their lives normally, because they can’t stop obsessing over finding answers to the questions that terrify them. Compulsions can include hours of research on one’s fears, excessive anxious introspection, avoiding feared topics (e.g. unreality, alternate universes, eternity, simulations), and and asking others to reassure them about the existential possibilities they fear. Like all subtypes of OCD, the manifestation varies with each indivual that has it- religious people with E-OCD may compulsively pray for answers to remove the doubts they have, someone who fears that they aren’t real may compulsively physically check to reassure themselves, and so on.
The colors represent the vast unknowability of the void.
Learn more about Existential OCD.
*E-OCD is a shorthand to go along with the other subtypes that have them.
