How are the other pocd sufferers on here doing? Update on my recovery- I finished doing an ERP script with my therapist on my false memory. I described the memory in detail in the script and the repercussions. I listened to it repeatedly every day for a week. At first it was very hard and I was very anxious because I felt like the memory was real, however I pushed through and told ocd ok maybe I did and accepted it. Right now my exposure is reading a triggering article on pedophiles right before I have to go change my patients diaper. The disturbing thoughts come, but I’m pushing through. Overall, ERP has been difficult, but I know I’m going in the right direction because now I spend less and less time rumination and I still have intrusive thoughts especially around my pediatric patients but I’m able to push through and live life with them. I’m enjoying life and actually enjoying things again The spikes still occur but I can deal with them easier Recovery is possible! We can do this! Xoxox

Congrats!!! You are doing great. Yes it sucks but just stay focused on what the research shows, you can beat this!!

@feburary so for me, my therapist recommended I listen to the script 10 times a day, no matter how anxious I was feeling. However, my script ended up being longer, about 2 minutes so I cut it down to five times a day, which she was ok with. And it still had the same effect :)

I think they did, but I know what you mean. I could overcome the exposure but feel triggered by the random thought “oh yeah remember how awful you should feel because you did *insert awful false memory* This is when you apply “every day life exposures” Agree with the thought. Accept the uncertainty. Redirect to what you were doing in the moment “hey ocd I’m actually going to the gym so that was a nice thought but this is what I’m doing now” picture the thought floating away. That’s some of the things I do that helps me kick it ✌️

Well done for being able to push through the thoughts, that is a big step :) I’m currently on ERP scripts as well and have a question - when you first started doing them how long did each listening session last for you to ‘peak’ at your most anxious and then return to a ‘normal’ (so to speak!) level? I’m finding it hard to gage when I should end a session so it would be good to hear from someone else who has done them! Thanks xx

Hales so are you a hospital nurse? I had you pegged as a nursery nurse! Glad to hear you are recovering. I’m quite a way into recovery now. I wanted to help others but I have to focus on getting back to me first. Or the new me I should say. The old me is what fell for this shit.

Thanks @electrolove!

Yes I do work in the hospital setting, with pediatric patients of varying ages. Yes you need to focus on yourself first! Even a new happy you is better than any form in daily distress. You can do this!

So glad to hear this! Happy for you Hales. I'm doing better with saying who cares to my thoughts, being confident instead of certain (thanks for that gem Soniclen, I use it literally all the time) and letting thoughts go instead of ruminating on them. Of course, I still have my bad days where fear and anxiety take over, but on the whole I feel like I'm doing a lot better than I was. Thanks for sharing the positivity!

Glad to help. My new motto is adapt, survive, then thrive. And goal setting. Seems to really drive your brain towards who you feel you’re about rather than bullshit ocd. Brain seems to like goals and plans, may as well direct it in the right way.

Hales - did you find that listening to scripts even when they did not provoke anxiety help you in the long run? I am listening to scripts and not getting triggered at the time of listening but get anxious when that thought comes later in the day. Thanks

Thank that’s great advice. I need to practice that more for those thoughts that pop into my head randomly during the day.