Memories aren’t perfect; they can change over time. Many people experience false memories that are innocuous. For instance, you might think that a member of your family was present at a vacation that took place years ago when they weren’t. For people who have OCD, false memories can cause a lot of distress. Most often, they worry that they did something bad or feel like they’re a bad person because they can’t remember exactly what happened.
A meta-analysis of 19 studies showed that people with OCD performed worse than others in cognitive tests. However, their performance was better than they had predicted. This means that people with false memory OCD may be underconfident in their ability to recall certain events.
In this blog post, we’ll talk about how false memory OCD can impact a teen’s mental health and how treatment can help.
What is false memory OCD?
False memory OCD is a type of OCD symptom that causes a person to seriously question their memories of certain experiences. It’s not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), as subtypes of OCD aren’t formally recognized. People who have these symptoms usually worry that they did something wrong or hurt someone. They may even convince themselves that something bad happened or that things were worse than the reality of the situation. For example, a teen might feel regret over how they treated their sibling when they were younger. With false memory OCD, they might start to worry that they beat them up frequently when, in truth, they had few fights, which were nothing more than some pushing and shoving.
[Quote]False memory OCD can leave teens questioning their own reality and identity. With proper treatment, they can reclaim their confidence, develop powerful coping strategies and build resilience that will serve them throughout their lives.
The thing that separates false memory OCD from typical worries and regrets is that it drives the person to do compulsive behaviors. They might ask someone to confirm what happened with them more than once, or they might replay their memories in their mind over and over.
The following are some obsessions and compulsions associated with false memory OCD:
- Fear of having done something terrible
- Doubt that one’s own memories are accurate
- Concern that bad feelings or guilt means that something bad has already happened
- Mental checking or replaying memories
- Seeking reassurance or self-assurance
- Confessing
- Avoidance of people, places or things that might trigger worries or guilt
Impact on teen mental health
False memory OCD can quickly undermine a teen’s mental health and their relationship with themselves. Doubts about their actions and their character can make them start to think they’re a bad person. The anxiety of their obsessions can make them tense and restless, depleting their energy. It can also cause changes in appetite or sleep disruption. All of these symptoms can add up to constant anxiety, depression or a combination of both. Teens may not have the capacity to stay connected with their peers or keep up with their schoolwork.
False memory OCD can impact a teen’s life in the following ways:
- Academic disruption
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Strain on family relationships
- Depression and anxiety symptoms
- Low self-esteem and identity confusion
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Physical symptoms like stomachache or headache
3 key benefits of treatment
Teens who have OCD need personalized treatment that supports life processes like healthy coping strategies and relationships. Treatment shouldn’t focus on symptom reduction alone. It should also help them build up their skills and emotional resilience.
The following are three benefits of comprehensive treatment for false memory OCD:
- Restored confidence in memory and perception — Mental health treatment can help your teen rebuild trust in their own memories. Developing a healthy tolerance for uncertainty is also an important part of the treatment process. They’ll learn to differentiate between their natural thoughts and false memories related to OCD.
- Improved daily functioning — Rumination and compulsions can take up a lot of focus and time. Treatment can help your teen take back their focus so they can use their time as they choose. They’ll learn strategies for managing their anxiety so it won’t interfere as much with their relationships and activities at school and at home. They’ll have more mental and emotional bandwidth for the important things.
- Development of lifelong mental health skills — Teens learn skills in treatment that they can use to maintain mental wellness for the rest of their lives. For those with false memory OCD, this means developing an awareness of their thought processes and the emotions attached to them. They’ll learn anxiety management techniques that they can modify for different situations. They’ll also build up emotional resilience so their obsessive thoughts won’t be as distressing.
What treatment approaches are helpful for false memory OCD?
Most teens who have false memory OCD can benefit from a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Comprehensive treatment for false memory OCD includes group therapy and family therapy in addition to one-on-one treatment. During family therapy sessions, caregivers can learn how to best support their loved one without accommodating their OCD.
The most effective evidence-based treatment for OCD is exposure and response prevention (ERP). In this treatment, teens face their fears and uncertainties, starting with the most manageable. They gradually work their way up to their most upsetting triggers. These experiences function as new “evidence” that worries and guilt don’t change their character or the reality of what happened. Teens learn that they can free themselves from false memories by choosing not to engage with them.
Explore your options for false memory OCD treatment in Lightfully Teen programs
False memory OCD can leave teens questioning their own reality and identity. With proper treatment, they can reclaim their confidence, develop powerful coping strategies and build resilience that will serve them throughout their lives. At Lightfully Teen, we provide treatments that support teens in every area of their lives. We also help families understand what their teen is going through and learn the best ways to support them.
Our Precision Care Model (PCM) ensures that each teen receives personalized treatments that support their overall health and well-being. The process begins with an in-depth assessment. Then our licensed clinicians will make treatment recommendations and will work with you to create your teen’s treatment plan.
Are you considering more comprehensive mental health care for your teen? Reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team to get the conversation started. You can also contact us with any questions about treatment.
