How long for ERP to work ?
Hey guys! How long did it take for you to see positive results with ERP? I suffer from existential / spiritual OCD, obsessing over my own ego and spiritual enlightenment… I’ve been doing ERP for 2 months now and have not been seeing a big improvement.
Hey there! OCD makes it seem like you are often starting from scratch! Specially during those bad days when it feels like you have always felt bad and you have never experienced happiness. This is why it is important to notice the small improvements. I have been dealing with OCD for over 6 years and I have known about ERP therapy for a long time. Sometimes I still feel like there hasn't been any improvement. However, I know this is not true. I have grown and learned a lot over the years. Feel free to let your therapist know how you feel. You can tell them you have not noticed a big improvement. Maybe they can try a different approach. It will also feel good to express your frustration. I wish you the best!
@HenryMP27 Hey Henry, thanks for your comment! You’re right: OCD makes you believe that there’s is and will never be any improvement… Do you do ERP everyday ?
ERP will work on different timelines for everyone. Depending on how you integrate it into your life, the amount you do ERP and so on will make a difference. For me, it took atleast 6 months of doing ERP to start to see changes. But now I am really seeing my life change drastically as my OCD takes a backseat. Keep working hard and continue to be dedicated to your recovery. It is worth it! You are worth it!
@EmilyCruce Thanks Emily, this helps a lot, knowing that for some people it might take a longer period of time to eventually work. May I ask: how do you do exposures ? What do you recommend for pure OCD? I am planning on writing scripts and listening to them. Exposing myself to my core fears (the world is an illusion, I am trapped inside a dream etc)..
@Lennart.. Hi Lennart! I do all kinds of exposures, I have done scripts, facing my fears straight on such as touching something, putting myself in situations I would normally avoid, etc. many of my exposures now I do in daily life. For instance I use to not want to go outside when it was dark so I intentionally go out at night now throughout my week. For the pure OCD scripts can be beneficial. Also taping triggering words around your room can help! Let me know if you have any other questions
It wholly depends on the person, how much work you’re putting into ERP therapy with a specialist, and how deep you’re in the OCD rabbit home to begin with. It’s not abnormal to for it to take years to get to the point of recovery. Honestly? Two months is nothing. Keep going and don’t give into your OCD, do the work, create newer and better lifestyle choices. It’s all a process and it’s a long road but it is absolutely WORTH it.
it took me about 2-3 months to recover from my episode using ERP but i was putting my whole soul into it and trusting my therapist with my life!!
I believe performing ERP is a lifestyle. In your everyday life you are going to have to make choices where you will choose between doing a compulsion and not. On the other hand, I created my own ERP exercises with the help of my therapist. I am currently doing those exercises around every 2 days. In my case, exposures can be compulsions because they allow me to "check". Doing them every 2 days prevents me from turning my exposures into compulsions.
Hey Lennart! Since you asked about ways to expose yourself to triggering things. Have you tried TikTok? There are plenty of accounts there that all they do is talk about how life is a simulation, that we are all NPCS, etc. I think that would be a great wait to get yourself triggered. Maybe you could watch 10 minutes worth of videos every 2 days and do absolutely nothing afterwards. And with nothing, I mean nothing! No researching, no messaging anybody for reassurance, not checking, not benting, etc. You might feel anxious, obsessed, depressed. You might ruminate and suffer with intrusive thoughts. You might have trouble sleeping at night. You might feel like that for several days. Sitting with the anxiety and with the frustration that comes from thinking you are not getting any better is part of the process. I know it's extremely hard, but you will definitely be stronger afterwards!
If you did ERP using this app, how long do you think it would take to get better?
I know everyone is different, but I want to hear about your recovery journey. How long were you in ERP before you started to see results? I’m three weeks in and struggling!
Can anyone share any success stories from doing ERP therapy and anything else that may have helped you? I understand now that I've probably had OCD most of my life, but getting started and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel are two completely different things. I really want to recover from this. Mine stems mostly from real events, but I have other themes as well.
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
