Does anyone find (believe) their OCD is as bad as it is because of the situation they’re in? There is a lot of talk on here that OCD is a chemical imbalance and that exposure therapy works. I’ve had this over ten years and can say with absolute certainty that exposure therapy has NEVER worked for me. It makes it worse. This whole idea of “exposure therapy lets you reach a level of anxiety and realize you’ll be fine” is very toxic. I have done this. Had a massive panic attack. Collapsed. And ambulance had to be called. My living situation is horrible and makes my OCD spiral. And because of the way the world is right now moving isn’t an option. Which has made my depression spiral. I honestly don’t know what to do anymore. All I do every day, every moment, I’m not at work, is lay in bed and cry.

@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 🙃

@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.

@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”

@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 😅

@yup_its_ocd Thank you for being kind and supportive 💜

@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.

@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.

@dragon_calves I find that pretty f”ing” sad that an entire support group is based on ONE treatment plan. Wow

@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.

@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

@XMASEVE2008 Thank you so much 😔💜 I will pray for you to find peace