- Date posted
- 3y
Contamination OCD
Is there another treatment for OCD than ERP ? I really can't support ERP that hurts I got a lot of panic attacks and can't deal with them
Is there another treatment for OCD than ERP ? I really can't support ERP that hurts I got a lot of panic attacks and can't deal with them
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!
Thank you. I will search for it
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!!😊
I read about ERP and have seen information about it on here. One of the goals is to say, "maybe I am this or that...ect." That terrified me. The thoughts and images that go in my head are disturbing and upsetting. I don't want to even think about saying, "maybe this or that." It's devasting to have these thoughts and question why you're having these thoughts. Doesn't the "maybe" make it worse? The one thing that helps me is that is to remind myself that these are just thoughts and I know I'm not a monster, even if I feel like one. Is ERP not for everyone? Has anyone else had a problem with the techniques used in this kind of therapy? I had cognitive therapy for years with an OCD specialist and that seemed to help a lot. Writing out the worst case scenarios would make me suicidal. Im having a difficult time not obsessing over the "maybe" after intrusive thoughts now. It doesn't make it better.
My theme is suicidal OCD. I’ve been doing ERP since last year November and the overall intensity of my thoughts have not reduced at all. I have these thoughts 24/7 and my life feels like a living hell. Not two minutes goes by throughout the day where I’m not suffering from relentless thoughts. I don’t want to take meds because of the side effects and my insurance is coming to an end so it’d be difficult to ween off them by myself. I’m starting to feel so hopeless because I’ve done the toughest of the toughest exposures and I’m not getting better at all. My life is a living hell and I don’t see my condition with OCD getting better anytime sooner.
i suffer from severe contamination ocd and I'm starting to think i will never be "normal" again I have already done 20 sessions of ERP I've also tried 6 different medications so far The medication and ERP have so far reduced my OCD by 25-35% but i remain very limited and far from "normal". have any of you who also suffered from severe contamination/disgust OCD managed to recover fully and have a normal life? is it even possible for someone like me to ever have a normal life again after 7+ years of severe contamination OCD?
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