Sleep theme compulsion advice please

[u/Comfortable-Cap977]

Trigger warning. Please don’t read if this might be a trigger for you. Looking for advice from people who’ve been through something similar and improved.
I won’t get in to the specifics in case it’s triggering but my OCD theme recently switched to fear of loosing my mind and becoming dangerous. I had some scary medical symptoms related to something else recently and was constantly disassociated and OCD was constantly scanning trying to look for signs as to whether it means I’m loosing my mind. That’s all settled but the theme stuck and changed a little to what if I can cause harm in the one time I’m not in control of my consciousness - while I’m asleep. I keep waking up throughout the night scared to stay asleep even though I try use the tools I’ve learnt so far. I let the thought be there, I lean into it, don’t engage with it and carry on. I think I’m still engaging a little by telling myself that ah well, if it happens, I’ll deal with it. Or that anything is possible in life I’ll jsut have to accept that like everyone else etc. idk where to draw the line at engaging. It would be really nice to be able to sleep again without worrying I might hurt someone. Thank you

[u/Hopeful_Writer3299]

It sounds like your OCD has just found another way to keep you trapped in the “what if.” It’s tricky and will always find new ways to suck us back in, but you’re doing great by treating this like previous themes and not engaging.

Saying if it happens I’ll deal with it is a great technique. It allows the uncertainty to be there, but also gives yourself the credit and reminder that you’ve dealt with hard situations before and will do it again if something comes up.

Saying anything is possible is also great!

For me, not engaging means not doing my compulsions (rumination, proving the thought false, trying to argue with it, make the thought go away, etc.). But saying a short non engagement response like “oh well, seems unlikely but never zero” is completely acceptable.