- Date posted
- 2y
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
I have had similar experiences! My therapist told me if you’re at the point of doing the same ERP every day, not getting triggered really, and doing it as a preventative measure so you don’t slip back, it becomes a compulsion in a way. I also heard the Dr. From NOCD say something like when you get to that point, “flip a coin to decide if you are going to do ERP that day.” I think everyone is different, and people have to come to that conclusion on their own!
- Date posted
- 2y
I’ve found that mindset before going into an exposure plays a huge role. If I attempt to get through an exposure but I’m unsure of what will happen (if it will cause more intrusive thoughts, the anxiety doesn’t go away, ect) then it makes the exposure the way you described it. If I go into an exposure excited because I know it will only help me in the future, it makes it a lot easier to the point where I get through it and see the real side of things. Feeling weak or feeling strong, basically. You have to build yourself up.
- Date posted
- 2y
I feel this way about therapy and ERP since starting I have more a lot more thoughts pop in. But that wasn’t the case the first time i started doing ERP. Maybe b/c it was already so bad it couldn’t get worse.
- Date posted
- 2y
That has been my experience too! The first time I did ERP there was almost no way for it to get much worse. The thoughts were nearly constant and I wasn’t functioning. But now I am functioning and the thoughts are intermittent, so it felt like ERP was making the thoughts more frequent by making me dwell on the thoughts intentionally for over an hour each day. It felt like I was ingraining the thoughts and fears even more in my head
- Date posted
- 2y
@n.celeste Yes, 100% you articulate it well.
Related posts
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 25w
I used to get caught in a loop with existential thoughts very frequently. Every question made my stomach drop: (TW: existential questions) … … ... "Why does anything exist at all? What will death be like? Is anything even real? Is there any meaning to this? Is the universe infinitely big, and if not, what's beyond it? Are there multiverses? Has the universe been around forever? Will the universe end for good, or will it keep going forever? What is forever like? What even IS reality?" It would get so overwhelming that I remember lying on the floor in a fetal position for hours because I felt like there was no escape. I spent most of my days reading articles and watching videos about theoretical astrophysics and philosophy in a desperate attempt to "figure it all out." Of course that only made me more anxious, raised more questions, and kept me trapped in the cycle. Things started to improve once I learned to turn TOWARD reality, rather than away from it, and ERP really helped me do that. I learned that these questions weren't the problem. I learned that I can actually handle the anxiety that arises when exposed to these ideas and concepts. I don't have to figure anything out to make the anxiety go away; it arises and passes away on its own. Ironically, bringing myself into the present moment and becoming more aware of reality helped me escape the cycle of existential dread. Because of that, this topic no longer takes over my life. If I'm triggered by something I see, hear, or think, I may still feel a little twang of anxiety, but then it just goes away. "Maybe, maybe not" has been the single most useful phrase of my life. Do you ever get trapped in a cycle of existential questions? Are you worried that the ERP approach would be too scary to handle? If so, I'm happy to give my advice.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 21w
I find while doing exposures, rarely does my anxiety lessen. It usually amps up and stays that way for the remainder of the day. I could be having a fairly decent day, but dutifully do my exposures and then the rest of my day is anxiety filled. I guess that’s just how it is now? Also, I’m wondering if my therapist even believes I have OCD. I totally understand my therapist cannot provide reassurance. But it’s to the point it seems my therapist acts like I actually did the thing I fear. I feel so isolated.
- Date posted
- 14w
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.
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