Seeking advice on ERP therapy for OCD without medication after a bad experience with Lexapro.

Hi Lovewins, sorry to hear that your intrusive thoughts are causing you so much pain. I’ve had OCD and ADHD all my life but wasn’t diagnosed until a few years ago. Just remember, you are not your intrusive thoughts, they do not define you and you did not ask for them. As far as medication goes, I have been on lexapro since the beginning, and for me the anxiety went up before it eventually came down from being on it long enough. It doesn’t help completely, more evens out peaks of anxiety and depression I’d say. Sometimes medication that takes time to build up in your system can make things worse initially before they make it better, but absolutely tell your doctor if you are having issues with it. Sometimes it takes awhile to find the right meds and dosage like with my adhd meds, we’re still trying to get that right after over a year. Everyone is different so please so not get discouraged or be hard on yourself if the first attempt at medication doesn’t pan out. I also have been through NOCD and ERP has definitely been the best thing for my recovery as well as my therapist working with me to help me realize all of the obsessions and compulsions I never realized I had and to help catch myself if I start slipping back into old ways or head off my OCD bully at the pass when it tries to ruin my days again. Many people use ERP without medication and it works extremely well for them. Living with OCD is a daily struggle for sure, and some days will absolutely be worse than others and send you down a rabbit hole, but you learn to take your life back from the OCD bully and still live your life the way you want to, not the way OCD wants you to. Stay strong and best of luck.

I dont know about medication, im just doing erp, i know it’s very exhausting and distressing but it’ll get better, i wish i could help

I hear you, and I’ve been there. I’m sorry OCD has disrupted your life so much, and also glad that you are starting to get the support you want and need now. Many people take medication while doing ERP, since it’s thought to be an effective combo. I considered it but ultimately decided to see what results I had with ERP alone, and my life has changed enormously just with ERP. (My main concern was that I didn’t want the side effects commonly experienced with SSRIs.) My understanding is that long term, ERP is what will work to “rewire” your brain, while meds help you get to a higher baseline to make ERP more effective. This video from the IOCDF explains a bit more: https://youtu.be/0eyNkeI1Bkc At the end of the day it’s a personal decision to make with your psychiatrist and therapist! There’s not one right or wrong way to go about it. I hope you can get access to ERP therapy soon! You might also be able to find someone who specializes in OCD/ERP but is just not registered with NOCD. Wishing you the best with recovery ☺️

I’m so sorry you’re struggling, it is a battle for sure of your values vs your thoughts, feels like life vs death every day☹️ I do not take medication and ERP was wonderful. My Ocd is at a place where it does not control my life and is more of worry that people without ocd have everyday🙂 I hope you are able to get into ERP therapy soon!!! It is very beneficial and will help you learn not to engage with the thoughts when they pop up and just let them be 🙂