- Date posted
- 2y
Triggers
I've been exposed to an absolute barrage of triggers over the last four days after months without any exposure. Doing my absolute best to practice ERP but almost in a state of shock.
I've been exposed to an absolute barrage of triggers over the last four days after months without any exposure. Doing my absolute best to practice ERP but almost in a state of shock.
Ugh, I’ve been there, this sounds so hard. Shoutout to you for doing your best to practice ERP even in the midst of all the triggers. Be gentle with yourself, too. Even when you do engage in a compulsion, you can always undo it or try again with the next exposure. Perfection isn’t the goal, just practice. For what it’s worth, for me when I am exposed to a lot of situational exposures I create a couple of lower-level intentional ones, too, so I can get back in the practice of choosing to do them rather than constantly feeling like I’m on the defense. It helps remind me that I’m in charge, not OCD. You got this. Rooting for you 💜
Thank you, fantastic advice! Really appreciate the support 🙏
You’re not alone! I have felt that way lately too, like it’s just one thing after another that really messes with me. Do your best not to let it get you down ❤️ try not to let OCD brain spiral 🌀 and try to treat it all as opportunities for ERP that can benefit you in the long run. Short term discomfort and anxiety for long term happiness and a better life for future you. I just had to do exactly that ^ yesterday because someone had to come in to my apartment, and with contamination OCD I swear I can almost SEE the germs coming out of people’s mouth and nose and landing on all my stuff 😱 and it was really really hard but I didn’t sanitize anything afterwards. There have been a lot of other triggers lately that I won’t overshare and haven’t been 100% successful ERPing, haha! My point is that if I can do it, you can do it. You got this!
Thank you so much ❤
Can earbuds help
I'm not sure? Have you heard about ways in which they can?
@Anon2294 Soundproof ear buds block out outside noise
Hi! I've been on my OCD healing journey for about half a year and I have seen a lot of success. I'm reaching out for advice, I am very willing to do exposures because I know the more I do them, the more I get better, but I struggle with the response prevention part. I don't know how to control my brain when it comes to facing the fears especially since most of my compulsions are mental. I can tell myself the typical things "I am okay with the uncertainty of this happening", etc. but its like my brain doesn't believe them. I've been stuck in this disconnect for a while and would love advice you have heard from a therapist or learned that has really help you.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) isn't always easy, but as one of the most effective treatments for OCD, it's worth it. If you've started ERP, what has been the biggest surprise you've experienced in learning to resist compulsions? If you haven't started ERP yet, what is holding you back from starting?
these days I feel particularly bad. I can't let the thoughts and those scenes be there without going deeper into it. Everything about my sister has become a trigger for me, and I have the impression that she "turns me on" and creates a big panic. I feel like I can't breathe because I don't know how to let it all go and I don't attach importance... 5 months of ERP and now this, I can't do it, I don't know it...and I don't know what else to do...
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