Anonymous
- 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?
McDuckoMcDucko
- Date posted
- 3y
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.
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 3y
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!
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 3y
What to do with those repititive thoughts that come in mind?
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 3y
@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!
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 3y
@NOCD Therapist - Devon G. Ok thank you for your answer. I am thinking to start therapy..
D:)D:)
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
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
NicaNica
- Date posted
- 3y
Yes, it a absolutely does. And no, no mental illness can be completely cured.
Evelyn4416Evelyn4416
- Date posted
- 3y
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!
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 3y
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...
J_MacJ_Mac
- Date posted
- 3y
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!
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 3y
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
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 3y
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.
Related posts
Anonymous
- Date posted
- 21w
OCD “Conqueror”???
When you become a “conqueror” does it mean you’ve completed ERP or you’ve just gotten to a good place with it? If so, how long did it take to finish therapy and how did you finally make progress? I’m having a hard time sticking with it right now as it feels unproductive. I’ve been in ERP for about 2 months and I can’t wait to be done.
Dude01
- Date posted
- 15w
Does ERP mean you have to be delusional to move on?
I'm trying to get my head around ERP. What is the best way to describe how it's a "solution." Imo I think OCD happens with people who are very concerned with their own genuine integrity and probably their own "morality." So when something (like an uncomfortable "real event" that actually happened) messes that up, it's hard to grapple with that...hence the endless rumination and trying to "problem solve" it. But the mind doesn't let you sleep (i.e. OCD) if something is controversial and doesn't sit with you. Or if you obsess over something and it's based on a rooted fear. You just can't "let it go," it has to be addressed and dealt with. But what happens when it is NEVER dealt with? How does ERP address that dilemma as a permanent solution? Or does ERP only address compulsions and anxiety, but it doesn't actually deal with the issue causing it. Do you ever get REAL peace of mind? Or is just something to make you feel "less anxious" etc? Thanks I just want peace of mind. I haven't had true peace of mind in several years.
Dude01
- Date posted
- 15w
Did ERP not work or make anyone worse?
I had an "OCD episode" several months back from NOT doing the compulsion. Or at least not "resolving" / dealing with the intrusive thought. What if "Not" dealing with it creates an issue that never subsides or makes you worse? This sounds dramatic, but I literally feel and believe like I was psychologically traumatized by not doing a compulsion --- which for me has been ruminating and "problem solving" to "deal" with whatever "challenge" / intrusive thought comes up. When I wasn't able to "deal" with it properly in a kind of stalemate, the "anxiety" last for at least a month. And it was severe -- brain fog, sundowning, cognitive difficulties, I think maybe even disassociation. You could even call it a mental breakdown and burnout (from OCD itself). Even went to a neurologist 'cause I think thought there was brain damage or some sht. I'm STILL recovery from that. I feel worse cognitively, and even think it that episode pushed me into some type of clinical depression. So isn't that lovely that "not dealing with the OCD / not doing the compulsion" is actually a shtty choice (for me) as well.
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