Jamacts
- Date posted
- 3y
JoyeberryJoyeberry
- Date posted
- 3y
I think that makes perfect sense. In order to talk about your progress you become an observer of your condition. OCD is called the Doubting Disorder for a reason: it will undermine any sense of safety you find. Becoming an observer objectifies OCD which makes it feel safer and then OCD swoops in to undermine that feeling. It doesn't mean you shouldn't talk about your progress—maybe it even means the opposite! You could use the spike in distress you get from talking about your progress as an exposure. ERP is something we can use in our everyday lives and this sounds like an opportunity to do just that. It's not easy, but you're doing awesome. Just the fact that you're experiencing progress, running into what feels like setbacks, and then coming to NOCD where you know people "get it" instead of staying isolated is HUGE! Seriously. Take that win. You're doing better than it probably feels a lot of times and your recovery is in good hands (yours)!
JamactsJamacts
- Date posted
- 3y
First, I want to say thank you so much for these words. It really made my day! You have no idea! 2. That makes ALOT of sense now. It is so weird! Everytime I talk about how well I am doing I always get horrible anxiety symptoms. and then I question “am I getting better?” Here’s a great example: when I was talking to my best friend about how well I’ve been, the next day I was constantly checking to see if I am actually “healed” or “better” when I was with my boyfriend (I have relationship OCD). And instead, I began to feel horrible! 3. Going back to you Exposure comment, I never had a session with NOCD yet (my first one is today). So I am a little confused with the exposure aspect of ERP. So you’re saying that if talking about my progress is an exposure, I should tap more into it? But wouldn’t that make me more sad. I guess main question is: how would that make me feel better?
JoyeberryJoyeberry
- Date posted
- 3y
@Jamacts I’m so glad it helped! And CONGRATULATIONS on your first session today!!! Your therapist will explain the whole process of ERP better than I can, but yeah, the idea is that you purposefully expose yourself to things that trigger your anxiety so that you can use the tools you’ll get (and probably some you already have without realizing it!) to tolerate the discomfort, embrace uncertainty, and let the distress wave pass. Your therapist will help you do this in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you—you’ll start small and work up to your biggest triggers (which, by the time you get to them, do not feel nearly as scary as you think they will). What you’re talking about is what we call a “natural exposure” and my therapist always encourages me to use them as much as it feels doable! She also reminds me that I don’t owe OCD anything, too, so you absolutely don’t have to do that, it’s just an option! Talk to your therapist and I’m sure he/she will be able to help with specific tools for this exact thing. Best wishes as you start this leg of your journey!! 👏🏼❤️🎉
JamactsJamacts
- Date posted
- 3y
@Joyeberry Wow! Thank you for this. Curious, have you ever experienced “check ins” checking in mentally to see how you feel? How would ERP play a part in this?
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