Hi everyone, I will have my 1st therapy session Thursday afternoon. Just looking for some hope though… does ERP work well for Harm OCD? I’m still having trouble trusting myself that I have this particular illness. I know that I don’t want to physically hurt anyone ever, and I never have. Can someone help shed some light on the intrusive thought problems associated with HOCD?
Congratulations on your first session! That is a big step. ERP is the gold standard for the treatment of all subtypes of OCD. OCD is known as the doubting disease so it is common to doubt that you even have it. ERP will help you to address these intrusive thoughts without compulsing. Intrusive thoughts happen to everyone - but those of us with ocd give it important meaning and it isn’t true. Our brains are sending us false messages.
yes, in my heart, I know my mind is send false messages. I am doing this for myself, but also for my husband. He needs me, because this was all brought on by something I did to our marriage, that I truly didn’t mean to do. The very heavy guilt is probably what gave me so much self-doubt. I just need to climb out of the hole.
Yes, of course ERP works for Harm OCD. ERP is the golden standard for ALL types of OCD.
Ok. because I’m going to put a lot of trust in it sometimes. I just can’t go through this everyday or let it get any worse. I love my husband and family so much. If could just make it do that I never latched onto the thoughts. I want to let go so badly.
The OCD is trying to make me end relationships with my loved ones. And I really don’t want to.
@Anonymous Share everything you have with me to your therapist on Thursday so you have a good basis of where to start with ERP 😀
I will. I tend to be a very impatient person and I’ve always been a little stressed in my life. I’ve only had my parents to support me. I don’t have any friends. I guess until tomorrow’s appointment I’ll just try not to think about things.
It’s always best to stay in the present moment by practicing mindfulness. It takes a while to really grasp but starting now as you head into ERP therapy will be very helpful. I suggest looking into Thich Nhat Hanh for mindfulness support online. He has great guided meditations and talks.
@Nica Ok, I will try. I’m sort of looking for permission to let everything go out of my mind. Like this thought wasn’t my fault, and I’m sure I’ve let so many strange thoughts slide away. So I can try to let these slide away too, right?
@Anonymous Treat every thought as a passing cloud in the sky. You’re aware of them, but you don’t interact with them.
@Nica Nica, would it be strange if I go buy a big bag of onions to chop them with a knife, then walk around my house with the knife? as some self ERP? because in a strange way, I feel like that would relieve me a bit… does that sound crazy??
@Anonymous Sounds fine to me! Just don’t rub your eyes or else you’ll be in physical eye pain. Did that before… big regret.
@Nica you know what, I’m going to buy some jalapeños too then. just to add a little extra risk 😆
@Nica Hey Nica, sorry to keep asking you questions 😆 but I’m just trying to do things that should be normal, or at least they are to me right now. I just did my own ERP “session” I guess you would call it. And I didn’t really reassure myself very much, I just tried to be neutral about my thoughts, maybe even got a little graphic. Is that bad to do without a therapist? Obviously I’m still not a crazy person, I actually feel some decent relief.
@Anonymous You should be talking to your therapist about how to do ERP sessions without them present as you can easily not do it right and make things worse.
@Nica ok I see. but I did hold the knife, walk around my house with it while my husband is home, and chop a bunch of vegetables. feels nice I was able to do that
@Nica I also reviewed and intrusive thoughts just to let it pass through. I know I’m not a bad person and I feel very validated tonight after doing that.
I had such a wonderful life. I don’t know why this had to happen to me.
I’m starting NOCD. I had several years of cbt as a child (well over 20 years ago) and I see a trauma therapist. But now I’ll be seeking further help for OCD and just really scared. CBT wasn’t helpful for me. How has ERP been helpful for you? Do you feel like you’ll finally get your life back? I’m consumed by my obsessions 😢 Would love others feedback if ERP helped you ❤️
Hi all, I deal with HOCD and been seeing a therapist for about 3.5 months. It has definitely got better but still affects me very much. Was wondering there is anyone out there who has dealt with HOCD as well and has recovered. I would love to message or even chat just see how your experience was and hear what was beneficial to you.
I’m on track to getting my diagnosis and i’m already questioning it. Pocd feels so real, and even though i once saw someone say “it has to feel real or you wouldn’t worry” which is like god level reassurance honestly, it hurts. I can’t look at children, they deserve better. My usual attraction seems to be gone and i can not think about anything else. At the same time i don’t really feel anxiety. I’m scared i don’t feel bad enough, if i just smiled maybe i honestly wouldn’t feel bad? I don’t have many other ocd symptoms either, except for some stuff when i was a kid and like questioning everything about myself. I’m clinging to the hope that this is Pocd instead of me being a Monster and at the same time i’m so sad that i have to go trough this. I don’t like myself but i’m sorry for my younger self. I just want to be held and be told that everything will be okay but how can i know? Even then i feel like comfort of that kind only really applies to others who are struggling and aren’t horrible like me. In so many ways i sm convinced i am a monster even though it might be a bit irrational. Maybe i’m a monster after all and then i should really get away from everyone i love. They deserve better :( After a lifetime of struggles (nothing super serious) i’m just getting started with therapy and i’m so.. scared. What if it won’t help? What if it turns out i’m the bad person i fear to be. Is there any way i can prepare or some tips or literally anything else? I would appreciate any wise words
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