Question for someone that's fairly far in recovery: Do you still so ERP every day? Or just when you feel like ocd is taking overhand again? I sometimes have weeks (or even over a month) where I feel absolutely fine. Then out of the blue its there again for a few weeks etc. I'm wondering if I should do ERP even when I'm feeling fine for a while. Bc doing it is kinda re triggering and I'm happy when I can get my mind of it. Thoughts? :)

Think about erp like training for the big game even though it isn't here yet. That way you're prepared for when it does come. I've come to believe that good patches and healing are not the same thing. Consistency is the only way to get ahead of this shit.

Try to look at ERP as the new way of living with OCD. When you say it isn’t there for long periods, it is, you just successfully normalised it. The ocd isn’t coming back, your just questioning yourself again. Turn the volume back up with the ERP, resist the urges just like you did before and because you have managed to get a grip Of things the ERP technique won’t be obviously for long, you will normalise it again. It’s like loosing weight and gaining a pound, you just cut out crap For a week again, and go back to feeling ok again. X

I struggle with this as well,when I’m well I just want to enjoy life instead of remembering the thoughts but I think keeping a journal is a good idea so you can look back and see you had long periods of peace as well as hard times x

I was in remission for 7 years .... Totally forgot everything... And am now climbing out of a hole so I'd make sure not to let it catch you off guard.

Precisely.

Maybe keep a journal for you to look back on in the future... I know my ocd repeats a lot of the same thoughts.

I am done with treatment and in recovery. I asked my counselor this question. She said that the purpose of doing planned exposures is to teach you ERP so you can do it in real life situations as they come up. So its kind of like riding a bike with training wheels. Eventually they need to come off. Also, don't get too hung up on theme. OCD is OCD regardless of what disguise it is currently wearing. ERP works regardless of theme.

Thanks for your advise guys! I totally get that and you're probably right. But when I don't think about it I'd rather keep it that way, bc when I do ERP again is comes back a bit.. But yes, consistency is key 🗝️😊