Has anybody done ERP for False Memories? Thanks in advance!

Yes it’s so hard. I’m an optometrist and it’s so hard at work as mine comes from worry of misdiagnosis. I try and think if I’m questioning it then it’s a false memory. I didn’t do so well just now and checked but it’s taught me.

I have found guided imagiry to really work because it's working with body processing the memory

Hmmmm thanks guys. Has anybody tried recording and listening to your worst false memory fears?

I think I might have mentioned this before to you Lewis but I have! It definitely seemed to work Obv the trigger still happens but no longer have that horrible spike

Hey again! Yeah, I took a long time off this app. I’m a lot better, but my head is still caught up on that one memory. I don’t know if it’s the same for you, but it’s always there in my head, no matter what I’m doing. I don’t feel a horrible spike, but it’s just a low feeling all day? At night it goes pretty much haha. How have you been doing?

I agree I have been that way in the past but I actually go long periods now without thinking about it. Sometimes when I’m happy I still think “you shouldn’t be this happy remember your false memory, what if that happened?” Etc but I’m learning to just say sure ocd it happened but I’m willing to accept the uncertainty and move forward Nighttime is a bit better for me too!

Sorry guys what is guided imagery?

How long did it take you to get to that point? I’m not really sure where to go from here. I think the main sticking point that it all leads back to is “I don’t deserve to be happy”. My last therapist didn’t end up doing the recording and listening stuff. Would you say it helps a lot? I’m glad to hear you are doing better. It’s nice to know I’m not alone with this

Cjx I have no idea? :/

It’s been three years since my pocd began so it’s been a long road but two months of treatment with an ocd specialist helped the most Are you seeing a specialist? Most of them agree that this form of ERP is effective for false memories or any form of ocd for that matter. I definitely think it helped along with learning how to do cognitive defusion and acceptance You def aren’t alone :)!

Can someone walk me through this with recording?

I’m not sure if they are a specialist.. It’s with the NHS and I’ve just started with a therapist there? How much did it cost you?

Hales have you any tips how to deal with the mornings? I know I’m a long way behind you, do you get to the point where you feel how you did at night during the day? I’m a bit lost at the moment, not really sure how to help myself and basically giving up. I’m 6 months into this, it’s so much better than it was, but my days are a cycle... Morning - Wake up, terrible feeling, lost and not sure where to go or what to do Night - feeling better, seeing clearer, hope that things will improve, then back to the morning again. Does this sound familiar to you haha?

Are you in the UK? Not sure what NhS is but I looked up a specialist on the IOCDF website. Ashley Annestedt the only one licensed to practice as an ocd specialist in my state... and she was out of state, we did sessions via video chats. I had to pay out of pocket because my insurance refused to pay. It was $145 for one session. Although I have heard other insurances have accepted her. It was only two months so while expensive it didn’t put me out too much and the treatment is worth it. She knew what she was doing with ocd

And sorry your mornings have been rough :/ I can’t remember if you are on meds or not but zoloft has really helped me with my depression and guilt related to the false memory. Recognizing how to navigate the ocd thoughts and triggers is another thing. So when ocd says “oh hey you don’t deserve to have a good day or even get out of bed because REMEMBER you are a bad person because of X memory” That’s when you say ok ocd i agree sure I might be a bad person and that memory might be true but I’m going to accept the uncertainty anyway and right now I’m going out for brunch with a friend (gym, work, coffee, Park etc) It def gets easier but the more you use this kind of attitude with ocd the easier it gets. Sure ocd is gonna say at times “don’t you feel guilty for being happy you know you are just in denial about you being “x” Just keep on doing what you are doing. There is always a chance you are that person but accept that maybe you are in denial maybe you aren’t It’s the only way to kick ocd in its butt Take the leap of faith and do it The time that could be spent living a life you value will pass anyway :)

Yeah I’m on Zoloft, I’m not sure how it’s affecting me. I’ve definitely improved, but the guilt and feeling undeserving is still there. Thanks for the tips! I get frustrated because past like 5/6pm my head is clear, the thoughts don’t bother me hardly anymore, then I go back to the same in the morning. I do distract myself a lot, but I’m not sure if it’s avoidance

Ah I understand sometimes it’s like that feeling of you just don’t care anymore at night and in the morning you have to face the day and you get anxious realizing that you have to face life and get worried. Just focus more on having the “I don’t care attitude!” I hope you can find an ocd specialist my therapist helped me sooo much!

We’re you in the same sort of position 6 months into yours? I’m happy I can at least enjoy some things now and it’s not mental torture. But I feel I’m missing out on so much

Oh definitely! Three years ago I was almost suicidal, guilty and very depressed. I got better and then the second relapse last fall was bad which made me get therapy. If you feel that you are still missing out on life, keep pushing to get better treatment, you can do it!

Thank you for your help It’s nice to see somebody recovering from this. If you were to give one piece of advice from your OCD specialist, what would it be? Thanks again!

Of course. I just wish others can know that it can get better!! Also Sorry for the delay in responding. Man there is so many good things. My therapist said that ocd is like a tug of war with this scary monster So you keep tugging because you are scared and you think you can maybe win but you can’t, you just keep going. But if you just drop the rope, the game is over. Basically, that big monster aka ocd is gonna quit it’s game once we stop fighting. Invite the thoughts, exposure yourself to the anxiety the situations the triggers. Accept the uncertainty that our “false” memories really are false. Give up the fight and ocd will too. I came up with this one on my own but I like to think of ocd has a bully. Most bullies call you names and say you are a bad persons and if you let it affect you, they keep going because they know they are getting to you and that was their goal. Once you don’t let it affect you, say back” sure maybe I am those things, but I don’t care” They back off

Louiss I know this thread was forever ago but how are you doing? Had a rough thought about my false memory and had that heart racing moment when I fought the compulsion to fight wondering if my false memory is true. I need to get back to more exposures haha. Jumped back on this app to remind myself I’m not alone