K.G
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
Advice
For those how have done ERP how do you deal with the intrusive thoughts?
AnonymousAnonymous
- User type
- NOCD Alumni
- Date posted
- 2y
It was useful for me to try to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Sit with intrusive thoughts and they will eventually change. I reviewed the reassurance seeking vs information seeking page if I thought I may be seeking reassurance. Also I found it helpful to acknowledge that the intrusive thoughts are from OCD and not a reflection of your character. Sometimes I tell myself "I don't have to figure it out right now".
hellopeoplehellopeople
- User type
- NOCD Alumni
- Date posted
- 2y
ERP is great for dealing with intrusive thoughts. When faced with them, inject uncertainty. Maybe it’s true, maybe it’s not. Stay in a state of not knowing and be ok with it not knowing. Soon you’ll have intrusive thoughts and not feel a need to “figure them out” 🫶
K.GK.G
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
I’ve been doing that and then putting the thought in box? I’m worried I’m not doing it right
AnonymousAnonymous
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 2y
I really like this article about what to do with intrusive thoughts. I think it can be easy to get caught up in the obsessive roller-coaster of whether I am doing treatment correctly, or am I "right". There can be different ways that ERP teaches to handle intrusive and unwanted thoughts. The main thing is that you do not respond to them with compulsions, that you allow yourself to sit in the discomfort and uncertainty, the anxious feelings, and see that you can tolerate this.https://www.sheppardpratt.org/news-views/story/how-to-respond-to-unwanted-obsessive-thoughts/
Related posts
Jessie-
- Date posted
- 24w
Thoughts during intimacy
How do you ocd sufferers deal with thoughts during sex Have you done erp for this? Do you stop or continue?
Gmoki
- Date posted
- 20w
How to be alone with your thoughts besides ERP?
Hi - just for some context, I have OCD and ADHD. I hate bringing this up, but with these diagnoses, when intertwined, there is ALWAYS a thought. I never stop thinking. This is really hard, especially because I feel like I always need to be talking to someone. Whether it’s my friends or family, talking to people brings me down to earth from certain kinds of thought spirals. However, when I’m alone it is the hardest. When my friends don’t reply I have this compulsion to text again or I need to constantly check my notifications so that I have none left to check. But then to them or new people I talk to, this behavior probably comes across as overwhelming or too much. I’m trying to control it and use erp, but also, I have my moments where I’m just vunerable and give into the compulsion. It’s genuinely so embarassing and maybe not as big a deal as I’m making it out to be but, how do I manage? And how do I relax?
hbocd
- Date posted
- 18w
ERP Therapy
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.
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond