- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
Anxious
I’m beginning to start ERP next week with my therapist. Can anyone share what starting ERP is like? Will it drive me on edge?
I’m beginning to start ERP next week with my therapist. Can anyone share what starting ERP is like? Will it drive me on edge?
Hi Matthew L. Often beginning ERP is one of the biggest steps, as many people are confronting their fears for the first time. Some people describe a slight increase in symptoms at the beginning of therapy because of this; however, this increase is usually short-lived, with a large portion of our members experiencing a 35% (or more) reduction in symptoms within the first several weeks of treatment.
I have done ERP in an outpatient program and it changed my life. You get to choose your exposures that you are ready to challenge. It is uncomfortable but the end result for me was always "Oh! that wasn't so bad and I am totally fine!" Once you learn how to do them you can do them on your own and at your own pace when you're not in therapy. I did many at home and I made quick progress. I understand the anticipatory anxiety but it was life changing for me. Good luck and happy healing!
That's great to hear!
So you got to ask me anything… Now I’d like to ask you something! I’ve heard from Members that they were so scared coming to their first ERP session. They were terrified that I would think they were crazy, that I would tell them their worst fears were true. That I would confirm they are some form of a terrible person or have them hauled off to prison for their thoughts. I’ve also had Members share how they’re very scared to begin ERP treatment because they’ve researched enough to know it means facing the fear, without the compulsions that have kept them feeling safe (but not really safe) this entire time. They struggled to see how they could be capable of doing this, while simultaneously acknowledging that they did not want to live like this anymore. If you have had your first session, what were your thoughts before? Did you have any hesitations or fears going into it? How did it turn out? If you haven’t yet begun to work with an ERP specialist, what is holding you back?
i am starting NOCD therapy on monday and was just curious on others’ experiences! what happens in your sessions, generally speaking? how do you feel during and after? i’m excited but also nervous to start. i’ve been in talk therapy for years with minimal improvement with my ocd, so im hopeful to start feeling better.
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 ❤️
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