- Date posted
- 3y
Does ERP works?
Does ERP works for OCD and how much time it takes for contamination OCD? Secondly, is it completely curable?
Does ERP works for OCD and how much time it takes for contamination OCD? Secondly, is it completely curable?
Recovery time is not a guarantee but generally the more exposure you're able to do the better. OCD is chronic, however I have several themes that were of great distress to me which I can actively think about now with no real anxiety. The general issue is OCD can latch on to anything, this is why constant ERP is a must.
Hi Anonymous, Your peers' responses are spot on. ERP is the gold standard evidence based practice for treating OCD, meaning that it's the best therapy that has been studied and proven most effective. There is no specific timeframe for recovery, but we know from our research that concentrated ERP (twice weekly sessions for 4-6 weeks, decreasing in length and frequency as symptoms improve) has the best success rate, and many people experience significant improvement within that 1-2 month mark. We don't consider mental health conditions to be "cured," but we do consider them to no longer meet criteria and to be "in remission." I hope that helps!
What to do with those repititive thoughts that come in mind?
@Anonymous You let them be! Trying to make the thoughts go away means you're doing compulsions. Let the thoughts come, let yourself feel however you feel, and don't try to *do* anything about it. When you get out of the way and stop trying to fix it, they tend to go down on their own. It sounds like right now you're doing E without RP which typically makes OCD stronger. I really encourage you to at least start with an ERP therapist who can teach you how to do it effectively and become your own ERP coach!
@NOCD Therapist - Devon G. Ok thank you for your answer. I am thinking to start therapy..
im sorry i can’t answer the first question because i don’t really know much about erp specifically, but unfortunately i don’t think ocd is curable. i could be completely wrong haha but i don’t think it is
Yes, it a absolutely does. And no, no mental illness can be completely cured.
ERP is the best treatment out there right now for OCD! There’s not necessarily a time frame for it and depends on the work you put in. Even from the first session though you can maybe see a little difference! Not curable per say, but can go into a remission/much lower frequency and intensity. It’s completely worth it!
I am self practicing ERP through which i do expose myself to those fears and try not to do the compulsions but there are thoughts in my mind everytime that do not leave me. I feel pain in my brain...
Yes, ERP works. Providing that you fully engage with the therapy (if you don't - you only undermine your efforts and prolong recovery) And no I don't believe the condition to be chronic. I do believe this can be overcome, but you have to let go of all previous thinking and literally live a new life. No safety thinking/ doing ever!
Thank you for your positive answer. I am really hopeful to get well soon. Wish me good luck everyone... i really want to live a normal life
I found ERP to not be helpful. I focus on eliminating the compulsions and ruminating. I don't focus on habituation. There isn't a cure.
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