Anonymous
- Date posted
- 3y
Myke GMyke G
- Date posted
- 3y
Familiarize yourself with ACT.
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 3y
Ok
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 3y
@Anonymous Thanks for responding.
Myke GMyke G
- Date posted
- 3y
@Anonymous Of course
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 3y
I think coming into exposure therapy with a willingness to do the hard work is a great way to prepare. Exposure work is intended to increase the anxiety around your intrusive thoughts, but eventually anxiety will start to come down the more you practice exposures. The good news is you won’t be alone, you will have your ERP therapist along side you! NOCD also offers many support groups and other resources. I would recommend using as many of these resources as you can!
JoyeberryJoyeberry
- Date posted
- 3y
First of all, congratulations on starting this journey. Even just thinking about it is a big step and shows your OCD that you're not messing around! :) 1. Know that your NOCD therapist is not going to be fazed by anything you say. OCD comes up with *all kinds* of things and your therapist has heard them all (or at least enough to not be shocked haha). 2. Remember that you will go at your pace. Your therapist's job is to help YOU create your path to recovery. You will not do any exposures until you're ready (and by the time you get to your "hardest exposures" they won't be as bad anymore... that's how it works!). 3. Trust the process. My therapist told me that ERP doesn't typically make OCD worse at the beginning, but you will be intentionally doing things to trigger your distress. The cool thing is that when you do that, you're also intentionally sitting with the discomfort and watching/waiting for it to subside. And again, never to an overwhelming point. Your therapist is trained to help you get familiar with it first and follow your pace. I hope this helps. I know it is so scary, and I also know that you're capable to do this! The fact that you're here says so much. Keep going!
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izzyyyy24
- Date posted
- 25w
How to prepare for your first session with NOCD?
I have an appointment this Wednesday and it’s my first one and I’ve been told the first 2 appointments are diagnostic appointments Obviously initially im anxious as I’m sure most people usually are. I’m anxious that I’m going to be told it’s not ocd (classic) and I’m worried I’ve been doing things wrong (in how I handle my ocd) I just wanted to ask if anyone has any pointers or tips for preparing for the first 2 sessions? I want to be honest and be prepared but I also feel anxious to speak about all my intrusions, obsessions etc. Anyways if anyone has any advice I’d appreciate it, Thank you :) Izzy I’m not sure if this is triggering but I included a trigger warning just in case <3
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- Date posted
- 22w
How do I practice exposure for mental compulsions?
My NOCD therapist (who has been awesome) and I are both struggling to identify ways in which I can practice exposure therapy while in-session, because the vast majority of my OCD symptoms are mental compulsions. For example: indecision and inability to commit to a choice; seeking reassurance on decisions from friends and family; mental review of things that have just happened / social situations; over-thinking and catastrophizing. I also have some other hallmark symptoms (contamination fears, moral scrupulosity, etc) but those tend to be inconsistent too. It’s hard to really practice these during my sessions because so many are in the moment and fleeting. By the time I join my session they are no longer active. How can we establish exposure responses during my sessions, if most of my OCD involves mental rumination and overthinking patterns/thought loops that only occur “in the moments - rather than specific or consistent compulsions (such as hand washing)?
Looping
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 18w
ERP/Therapy
I find while doing exposures, rarely does my anxiety lessen. It usually amps up and stays that way for the remainder of the day. I could be having a fairly decent day, but dutifully do my exposures and then the rest of my day is anxiety filled. I guess that’s just how it is now? Also, I’m wondering if my therapist even believes I have OCD. I totally understand my therapist cannot provide reassurance. But it’s to the point it seems my therapist acts like I actually did the thing I fear. I feel so isolated.
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