- Date posted
- 3y
ERP Question
I haven't officially started ERP sessions yet with my therapist here and I may have to delay due to financial reasons but has anyone tackled a situation head on with good results?
I haven't officially started ERP sessions yet with my therapist here and I may have to delay due to financial reasons but has anyone tackled a situation head on with good results?
Thanks for your reply! I have had OCD for at least 30 years and I have been able to manage it for the most part but this time around it has really been intense and spiraling out of control. I catch myself attaching this thought to everything which amplifies the thoughts even more and I don't feel like I am strong enough to tackle it head on like I need to or used to and that is adding to my anxiety :( I know the thought that is doing this is not true which is what is making me more angry because in the past I could just ignore the thoughts but this one is throwing me into a spiral :( I freaking hate OCD!
Thank you! The only therapy I have had is CBT and that was in a group setting and I didnt get much out of it just distractions you could use to help. I was on medication twice but weaned myself off and did just fine for years in between. Mine started as a teenager and I had little quirks that I hid very well but they worked for me so I kept doing them, they didn't take up too much time or anything like that so I didn't mind them actually. I didn't tell anyone about what was happening because I didn't even know at the time, just thought I was weird. Over time the compulsions would get a little stronger but I was able to defeat them. This one however has knocked me for a loop and I know it's not true and my mind is playing tricks on me but I just can't seem to shake it like before :( It's crazy how OCD can turn your life completely around in no time.
Hi! I've been on my OCD healing journey for about half a year and I have seen a lot of success. I'm reaching out for advice, I am very willing to do exposures because I know the more I do them, the more I get better, but I struggle with the response prevention part. I don't know how to control my brain when it comes to facing the fears especially since most of my compulsions are mental. I can tell myself the typical things "I am okay with the uncertainty of this happening", etc. but its like my brain doesn't believe them. I've been stuck in this disconnect for a while and would love advice you have heard from a therapist or learned that has really help you.
I've been in and out of talk therapy for OCD-related issues for years, but it hasn't been effective long-term. I am struggling with body image / eating disorder adjacent obsessions and I am really hopeful that ERP might actually give me some relief. I had my first session with my NOCD therapist a few weeks ago. It felt like a good match and I was ready to unpack my obsessions and compulsions to try ERP for the first time. The day of my second session she canceled due to personal illness. Then this happened a second time. Yesterday all of my future booked sessions were canceled without explanation. I went to schedule with a new therapist and the ones that seemed could be a good fit are filled up until at least early April. I booked a slot and sent the therapist a message letting her know I would be interested in starting sooner if a slot opened up. I am just disappointed. I could just meet with another therapist who has earlier availability, but it's most important to me that the therapist be a good fit since I've been through therapy so many times. I feel like I'm in limbo until I have an ERP plan set up and I'm not sure how to move forward in the meantime. I'm planning try out a support group but I need a personalized exposure plan and I'm not sure if that's something I should just try to set up myself? Anyone have something similar happen to them? Any thoughts or advice would be helpful.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) isn't always easy, but as one of the most effective treatments for OCD, it's worth it. If you've started ERP, what has been the biggest surprise you've experienced in learning to resist compulsions? If you haven't started ERP yet, what is holding you back from starting?
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