Contamination OCD

ERP involves sitting with the fear and being uncomfortable with being uncomfortable finding tools to get past the fear not avoid it. ALso ACT is used in treating OCD and CBT to help focus on doing the ERP not to minimize reduce or avoid anxiety. It is hard work but the gold standard of treatment for OCD. You gradually work your way up a hierarchy on step at a time doing ERP. Don't let ocd keep your from doing therapy you can do this. reach out for the support you need. Our care time can provide support and also talk with y our therapist about your concerns you have about doing erp.

I’ve heard that acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is another type of therapy that can be used for OCD!

I'm doing ACT as a supplement to ERP. The only way to face your OCD is facing the fear. It doesn't matter which therepuetic model you use. Its scary and hard and can be very discouraging, but its possible!

If the ERP is giving you panic attacks dial down the intensity and frequency.

ERP worked if you stick with it. Start small. If you have to wash your hands after touching something. Give yourself 30 seconds before washing. Then a minute and keep challenging yourself until you can go without washing your hands. ERP is about baby steps working towards a bigger goal.

I have searched many years for treatment as ERP has been very difficult for my contamination ocd as well. ERP really is the gold standard to achieve recovery. You need to make a hierarchy of challenging yet manageable tasks, where you earn victories…then work your way up. I am still working through this process. It’s fantastic that we have the research to support the effectiveness of ERP…but , unfortunately for us sufferers, the only way past this is to trudge through it. Start small…for example, if you wash your hands a lot, try to cut of 5 seconds. Whatever it takes to achieve small wins will build your confidence. You are stronger than you know!!😊