My last ERP therapist was aggressive. Not sure if it’s supposed to be that way but I always felt worse after our sessions. Is that suppose to happen? Can ERP not work for everyone?
For me, I didn’t like therapy because my therapist did not give me reassurance for my anxiety. That can be off putting for someone with OCD that is used to everyone reassuring them. But the goal is to not seek reassurance anymore
Hello! Generally speaking, I think that you have to find the right therapist, I think the development of rapport is key to any good therapeutic alliance. If the first therapist wasn't a fit then I think you keep looking- I went through a few before finding the right fit. In terms of OCD- I would just caution that OCD may try and convince you that you don't want to do the treatment or find sneaky ways to sabotage your progress. Not saying that is what this is- just keep it in mind. Make sure avoidance isn't at work. But if you felt like you needed something else then definitely find what you need, you deserve that.
Hi, I went through a couple of therapists before liking one. Make sure they are experts at OCD and have treated others before. I can see why after a session you feel worse. Your therapist gives you/ you do exposure during the session that heightens your anxiety. When you leave the session you have to deal with that anxiety alone. Maybe ask your therapist for ways to deal with anxiety afterwards if that is the reason you feel worse after.
I am sorry that you are having a difficult time. It is common to feel worse after doing ERP at first, because we are learning something new and it will take our brain a while to accept our new response. That being said, I think it is important to be comfortable with the therapist you are working with or I would think, although I can't be sure, that it would have an impact on your recovery. Communication is key - so if the therapist is moving too fast or asking you to do something that you are not ready to do, you need to voice that to the therapist. You are in charge of your care, but if the therapist is unaware of how you feel, then he or she cannot fix it. I hope that you find someone that you are comfortable working with and are able to continue the ERP therapy.
Anyone find that ERP is not helping with the ocd? I’ve been going up me hierarchy slowly but I’m not getting any real relief from obsessions or anxiety - at times it seems to just get worse. My therapist says until I have gone thru my entire hierarchy I won’t feel much change in my symptoms. Anyone else going through this? I feel kind of dejected and hopeless about it like this is never getting better. My therapist even said I should maybe stop ERP because it’s not working (she might have been baiting me, tho - I don’t know)...
Well, ERP is not working out for me. In fact it has only served to make me more depressed because the idea of accepting I might be a "bad person" or pervert (or whatever) just makes me feel, well, bad! I'm not sure how this could help anyone honestly. Has anyone else experienced this and had luck with other treatments?
Hi! I'm in therapy right now, my therapist is fine but she doesn't do ERP... I'm always afraid I will get worse, but unfortunately I don't know what else I can do. For all of you who are in therapy with an Erp specialist, may I ask what do you do during sessions? Do you do exercises together? Do you have to do some exercises at home? Thanks to everyone who will answer!♡♡
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