Cat_attack
- Date posted
- 2y
NicaNica
- Date posted
- 2y
I haven’t seen anyone on here say it’s a chemical imbalance because that hasn’t been proven. Just like how depression was “said” to be a Chemical I’ll imbalance but that has been debunked. Regarding your situation, everyone is different and you might have extreme OCD that might need inpatient therapy. I can’t say, but a professional can. You also have to look at yourself and what you’ve been doing during those 10 years. And was ERP done correctly with a professional? How many years has that professional had under their belt to help you? Also, what else we’re you doing during this time period: we’re you giving into compulsions, ruminating, constantly seeking reassurance, not going outside and only staying inside, etc. Were you also on a daily schedule? Did you work out and did you learn healthy coping mechanisms and throw out bad coping mechanisms? If you have other mental illnesses, did you also get therapy for your other mental illnesses? Have you been told that facing your fears will feel like death but you don’t die and that yes, in extreme cases you will possibly have a panic attack—or many—during exposures because your brain/OCD doesn’t want to be face to face with triggers. But it needs to in order for you to get better. Same for trauma therapy. It sucks and I went through it and I panicked, but I was DONE, absolutely DONE not living my life and being stuck on a horribly depressing loop of nothingness. There’s A LOT of factors regarding getting better. No one size fits all and it depends on the person. But I’d definitely wouldn’t say ERP doesn’t work. For some people, if you’re at 100% anxiety but you can get it down to 50% anxiety and that’s all that indivisible can do, that’s GOOD. 100% anxiety all day every day is horrible. Been there, done that. I’d say I’m at 15-20% anxiety level throughout the day because I have 4 other mental illnesses and that’s just my state of being. But looking back 8 years ago when I couldn’t get out of my dark walk in closest or else I’d freak the hell out and go into psychosis? I’m living an absolutely amazing life. You can too.
Cat_attack Cat_attack
- Date posted
- 2y
@Nica 1. Just because you didn’t see anyone say that doesn’t mean I didn’t, because I have. 2. I have been in therapy over ten years. I have worked closely with a trauma therapist and a OCD specialist (who has been in practice over 35 YEARS! He used to run a treatment center for OCD patients and wanted to do one on one work). Both have confirmed exposure therapy will NOT work for me. Because the cause of OCD is different for everyone as you said; but that means that the treatment is different due to the reason. I have been told my OCD is due to a chronic illness I have had since I was 12 that requires constant control and I can’t handle not controlling things because of it. So your wrong it doesn’t always work. I do not qualify for in patent treatment due to my chronic disease 🙃
Cat_attack Cat_attack
- Date posted
- 2y
@Nica Adding onto that…because of my chronic disease a massive panic attack and stress can LITERALLY kill me. So again wrong. I can not allow myself to reach that point.
valkyrie2015valkyrie2015
- Date posted
- 2y
it tends to make my panic attacks hit harder when I get exposed to triggers so I can relate somewhat I’m terrified of it cuz of that exact reason idk if others have an anxiety disorder or not but I feel like I can’t breathe right now cuz the thoughts are so repetitive I cry in anger and loss of hope most of the time I will try medication next see if it eases my ocd AND anxiety but yeah I totally hear where ur coming from I’m going on year 3 with mines.. scared I might be like this forever in all honesty. Maybe get on medication that works first then go from there
Cat_attack Cat_attack
- Date posted
- 2y
@valkyrie2015 I am so sorry you are experiencing similar issues 😔 I was on medication before and they caused seizures 😂🙃 Do you live with people? I notice any time I am alone or with just my boyfriend on vacation I am so much better. The thought of knowing I can “fix” something whenever I want/need to, makes the urge to fix it way less. That’s the problem with my experience. Living in a situation where if I need to disinfect/wash/move something I can’t because I will get “ Reprimanded”
McDuckoMcDucko
- Date posted
- 2y
There are other treatments like Deep TMS and certain Neuro surgeries for treatment-resistant OCD. You may have another condition that makes ERP harder, but most people heal using ERP even without medication. Don't give up and don't worry what others say. Treatment should be between you and your provider.
Cat_attack Cat_attack
- Date posted
- 2y
@yup_its_ocd I have never gotten better from exposure therapy. As mentioned in my response to multiple other comments (🤣) I actually feel 💯 better when I am in a calmer environment. My OCD almost completely diminishes. The OCD specialist I was seeing has told me he highly recommends me moving out. But everything is so expensive and with my other health condition I can’t find it the extra money for that 😅
Cat_attack Cat_attack
- Date posted
- 2y
@yup_its_ocd Thank you for being kind and supportive 💜
dragon_calvesdragon_calves
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
I’m sorry you are struggling! Agree with what others have said. We don’t know the circumstances of your toxic environment. That can certainly be a factor here. Honestly, though, exposure therapy is complicated and isn’t as straightforward as people think. I’ve done exposure therapy before and was still engaging in compulsions without knowing—which undermines the whole damn thing. Working with a specialist that has lots of experience makes a big difference. Exposure therapy works and is the thing that works the best. Other alternatives have worse outcomes. Are you on meds? That can be an important supplement. I hope you get some relief soon :)
Cat_attack Cat_attack
- Date posted
- 2y
@dragon_calves As mentioned before I saw a OCD specialist who said himself exposure therapy does not work for everyone and it doesn’t work with me. I was not giving into compulsions. I was under close “supervision” with my therapist during this time.
dragon_calvesdragon_calves
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
@Cat_attack I’m sorry you feel disgusted by these comments. And I’m sorry treatment hasn’t worked for you. This community is ERP-based, as that is the gold standard treatment. If you OCD goes away from easing environmental stress, great. Most people with OCD don’t experience that. I hope you find relief, escape from toxicity and treatment that does work.
Cat_attack Cat_attack
- Date posted
- 2y
@dragon_calves I find that pretty f”ing” sad that an entire support group is based on ONE treatment plan. Wow
McDuckoMcDucko
- Date posted
- 2y
@Cat_attack There's always a possibility of talking about other treatments, but even ERP is a new treatment by comparison. Prior to ERP there were no treatments for OCD. It was a hopeless disease you were essentially stuck with. Right now though we have Deep TMS and Neuro surgeries coming out as bleeding edge, but last I checked most people on here haven't had those yet. I personally was looking into Deep TMS, but it's super new and expensive.
[Deleted][Deleted]
- Date posted
- 2y
Comment deleted by user
Cat_attack Cat_attack
- Date posted
- 2y
@Cutegiraffes Thank you!! It is disgusting that people in the comments are so certain if I tried it more it would work. It doesn’t. For me personally if I am under less stress (away from certain people I currently live with) my OCD almost completely disappears. When I am able to relax my blood sugar comes down and I can think more clearly and the obsessions are way less, causing the compulsions to be way less. Blood sugar is a huge factor in OCD control (if you didn’t know). If I am away from my living situation I also find peace in the fact that I can clean whenever I need to. Which actually makes me want to clean LESS. It makes me relaxed and comfortable
XMASEVE2008XMASEVE2008
- Date posted
- 2y
I hear you I’m the same right now you are not alone please remember that
Cat_attack Cat_attack
- Date posted
- 2y
@XMASEVE2008 Thank you so much 😔💜 I will pray for you to find peace
Related posts
Kammy
- Date posted
- 24w
This is draining
I started dealing with OCD when I became fixated on health issues, particularly the fear of contracting a life-threatening disease. If I experienced any kind of medical symptom, no matter how small, that even remotely hinted at something potentially fatal, it would drive me crazy, and I couldn’t stop obsessing over it. Then one day, I started having intrusive thoughts about accidentally hitting someone with my car, and I would end up driving in circles to check if I had. Eventually, I found myself overwhelmed by a flood of new obsessive thoughts and compulsions. One day, while I was at the park, a squirrel came near me, and for some reason, I felt like it attacked me. I Googled it and learned that squirrels could carry rabies, which spiraled me into a deep fear of rabies. I became consumed with the thought I received a bite from a squirrel, raccoon, or bat any time I’m in areas that trigger me. It started off only being inside then transferred to even being in my own home. This made me obsess over every physical sensation in my body, compulsively checking to make sure nothing was wrong. One compulsion that I hated the most would to be putting rubbing alcohol on me to make sure that I had no open wounds. Every day feels like I’m walking around in a fog of anxiety, constantly worrying that I won’t even make it to old age. Sometimes, it gets so overwhelming that I just want it all to end. It stresses me so bad at times to where my brain feels like I’ve been studying all day.
Dude01
- Date posted
- 17w
It's about the Themes, you can't convince me otherwise
"The themes don't matter, it's the OCD that's the real culprit!" I don't buy that. How's that? I didn't have this crap until the real event themes came along. I wasn't born with OCD, I didn't have it from a young age, etc. This was learned, this was real event theme triggered, this was a bad habit that kept on on going and never died, the frequency just picked up and now it's a daily hell. This wasn't happening before the actual themes. Which makes sense. It's a result of being "stuck" in a cycle of guilt, shame, and constant cognitive challenges to "deal" with past deeds. I've very skeptical of any future solution. The fact that there doesn't seem to be any permanent solution for real event OCD is defeating and depressing. I don't know how people "beat OCD" without some level of delusion mindset or baked out of their mind in medication. Doesn't seem to be a holistic or real solution to this. Just more of the same hellish routines. I'm just very pessimistic, it's been years. Where is the hope. Sick of being stuck like this.
Looping
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 15w
ERP/Therapy
I find while doing exposures, rarely does my anxiety lessen. It usually amps up and stays that way for the remainder of the day. I could be having a fairly decent day, but dutifully do my exposures and then the rest of my day is anxiety filled. I guess that’s just how it is now? Also, I’m wondering if my therapist even believes I have OCD. I totally understand my therapist cannot provide reassurance. But it’s to the point it seems my therapist acts like I actually did the thing I fear. I feel so isolated.
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