Does it get better?

I struggle with suicidal and harm ocd, which have been unbearable and came back into my life. The whole month of July has been living in a nightmare, I'm starting to feel very discouraged I started erp but I feel like I'm getting worse. These intrusive thoughts are very scary and the urges feel even worse. I can't stop ruminating at all that's my only compulsion, and I'm worried of losing control and going crazy as well. I want to be happy but I'm focusing on these thoughts 24/7 because of how real they feel. 🥺

Username: NicaNica

Date posted: 2y ago

Yes, you can definitely get better. Healing isn’t linear and it gets worse before it gets better because you’re basically rewiring your brain and it freaks out at first.

Username: nattieeenattieee

Date posted: 2y ago

@Nica Thank you 🥺

Username: Evelyn4416Evelyn4416

Date posted: 2y ago

It absolutely gets better. I’m very familiar with Suicidal OCD, being my first major theme. With ERP, it can sometimes get worse before it gets better - all a part of the process. Keep going at it, continue your exposure work. With time it will improve. Mine used to be 24/7, completely wrecking havoc in my life. While I still deal with it here and there now, its like night and day compared to before, and I continue to work on it. Keep hope, we are rooting for you!

Username: nattieeenattieee

Date posted: 2y ago

@NOCD Advocate - Evelyn I appreciate it so much, thank you 🥺

Username: marcygirl23marcygirl23

Date posted: 6w ago

@Evelyn4416 Do you have any advice? Really struggling with this theme now

Username: Jo ^^Jo ^^

Date posted: 2y ago

Yes it will totally get better. Actually the reason why they feel like they are getting worse and more scary means the erp is working! I have not fully conquered my ocd yet, but there definitely is a part where it’s so much easier and you can live life again. I do wanna make this known tho, you can over expose yourself and get burnt out by all the work so make sure you give yourself a time in the day to take care of your body! like get all cozy and put on your favorite movie or play your favorite game. I did this and it gave me a fresh start again and helped come back at the thoughts stronger. You can do it I believe in you!

Username: Evelyn4416Evelyn4416

Date posted: 2y ago

@Joanna Walton I second the treating yourself afterwards thing for sure - after exposures I like to do something nice and comfortable for myself!

Username: Scc08Scc08

Date posted: 2y ago

That is literally me!!!! These 2 are my biggest themes as well and its freakin scary!!! May was my worst month and rn I just started doing erp and feel like its getting worse too! Literally the entire day I can’t stop thinking about the exposures cause im so scared of them😭😭😭 when i do them it’s fine, but after doing them, my brain keeps telling me, next time you will act out the thoughts… so my entire day im just fearing doing my next exposure again😭😭😭 and 100% im afraid of going crazy too, its common for harm ocd :(

Username: nattieeenattieee

Date posted: 2y ago

If you ever want to talk my Snapchat is Natalieabc123 🥺

Username: marcygirl23marcygirl23

Date posted: 6w ago

How are you doing?

Username: Twelve Squir...

Date posted: 2y ago

ERP Help

I need a different perspective on this. I feel like I'm being run through the ringer. I'm doing what I can to avoid reassurance and not avoid triggers but I get triggered every day. I'm trying so hard to sit with the panic and the horror but it's so hard. It gets to the point I feel physically sick. Is there anything that I can do to help with this? I feel alone. I don't feel strong, I feel like a punching bag. Why is this so hard to master? I really want to know it gets easier. I've been suffering from POCD that has evolved and gotten worse and worse over the past eight months that has been torturing me multiple times on a daily basis and I feel like I'm drowning. I want to run away and hide because my life feel like it's seconds from being ruined. Please, please tell me this gets easier. That this ERP therapy will stop making me feel like I'm dying. The small moments of victory feel so brief only for me to get hit with another wave. There is so much uncertainty over such a horrific thing I feel ill. I feel afraid to be alone with my mind. Please if anyone out there can please give me tips on how to handle ERP. One moment I think I'm finally beating this thing and the next it's got me pinned and I'm terrified my life will be ruined. I want my peace back, I need help and I'm doing everything I can to resist compulsions but I feel so alone and dirty and disgusting. Please help me. Thank you for any advice 💕

Username: libramama88

Date posted: 45w ago

It never ends

Why can't I get better? I've been suffering with harm OCD for 3 years now and feel that it must be something other than obsessive compulsive disorder. I cannot think stop thinking about harm and everything triggers me. I'm a mom to two beautiful boys but I'm starting to do avoiding of triggering situations like changing and bath. I was doing so well for a couple months and now since I've started erp therapy two weeks ago things have just been so crazy in my mind. I meditate, I pray, I try so hard to build my home to be happy and healthy but I just feel sick and broken hearted.

Username: Lexi

Date posted: 39w ago

Feeling hopeless…

Does anyone else feel like they are getting worse? I started here a couple months ago doing ERP, but I feel like my OCD is getting way worse and am hardly able to function properly most days without panic or anxiety attacks …. I try response therapy, but it hasn’t worked for me. I’m not sure what to do going forward. Any suggestions?

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