Hello! I started NoCD three weeks ago but my therapist said I may benefit from IOP. Im in the process of being placed there. Has any one done IOP?
I have! It wasn’t for OCD though. I have done residential treatment along with php which is IOP but all day, and then finally IOP. I did it for my eating disorder (recovered now) but a lot of those thoughts I had come from OCD so if you want to talk about what IOP is like, I’m here for you
@Tidal Maéve Thank you! I might be starting end of February. I’m scared but I have had untreated ocd for 13 years now . What can I expect from iop? I so want to recover from this, but honestly I am also scared to recover
@68273 So of course I don’t know the specific program you’re doing, but I can tell you this- expect to do a lot of hard work while you’re there to get better. IOP is usually a mix of group therapies and individual therapy and for the few hours a day you’re there (or however your program works) everything will be centered on recovery and healing. I know that sounds scary, and it can be scary and hard. But if you go into it with the mindset of “YES I CAN get better” it will really work. You have to want to get better, you have to be willing to do the hard work, and if you do then you WILL feel better. But IOP isn’t only hard work, there is also Soooo much healing. You’ll make friends with people who actually understand what you’re going through like no one else does, you’ll be in a safe community where you can feel whatever it is you’re feeling, and the relationships you make with others and yourself will make you much stronger. And- what comes with IOP too, is there’s never a danger of you being alone if you have a panic attack or bad intrusive thoughts, someone will be there to help guide you through it. I know that’s a lot, but if you work at it, it’ll be a time of growing in strength and self love and confidence. You’ll do great
@Tidal Maéve Thanks !
@68273 No problem!
@Tidal Maéve My program will be five days a week for three hours each day for three weeks. I’ll have homework to do at home too 😬
@68273 Sounds about right! That’s similar to what mine was
@Tidal Maéve How effective was it?
@Tidal Maéve Also, it’s like 45 mins from my house you think I’ll be able to drive if I’m highly anxious
@68273 Did you recover
@68273 I understand getting anxious while driving but if you are super anxious I’d make sure you are calm enough to drive before you drive. I did recover from my eating disorder I went to residential, php and iop for. I am still working on my ocd but I’m a strong believer in how it gets better if you work on it
What is IOP?
@Estrid Intensive outpatient
@68273 Ok, I see!
I know I’ll have panic attacks as they expose me
I have been into treatment a few times, and "they" dont expose you, you make a plan together and take it step by step, you shall never be forced to do something. And they will teach you how to accept anxiety, not throw you into a state of panic. I wish you luck!!
@Estrid Is it normal to experience depression after treatment? Like you missed out on so many things because you thought your thoughts were real and you gave up on so many things for 13years
@68273 Yes, its normal.
@68273 You can do this!
Thank you!
i am starting NOCD therapy on monday and was just curious on others’ experiences! what happens in your sessions, generally speaking? how do you feel during and after? i’m excited but also nervous to start. i’ve been in talk therapy for years with minimal improvement with my ocd, so im hopeful to start feeling better.
I have an appointment this Wednesday and it’s my first one and I’ve been told the first 2 appointments are diagnostic appointments Obviously initially im anxious as I’m sure most people usually are. I’m anxious that I’m going to be told it’s not ocd (classic) and I’m worried I’ve been doing things wrong (in how I handle my ocd) I just wanted to ask if anyone has any pointers or tips for preparing for the first 2 sessions? I want to be honest and be prepared but I also feel anxious to speak about all my intrusions, obsessions etc. Anyways if anyone has any advice I’d appreciate it, Thank you :) Izzy I’m not sure if this is triggering but I included a trigger warning just in case <3
I've been in and out of talk therapy for OCD-related issues for years, but it hasn't been effective long-term. I am struggling with body image / eating disorder adjacent obsessions and I am really hopeful that ERP might actually give me some relief. I had my first session with my NOCD therapist a few weeks ago. It felt like a good match and I was ready to unpack my obsessions and compulsions to try ERP for the first time. The day of my second session she canceled due to personal illness. Then this happened a second time. Yesterday all of my future booked sessions were canceled without explanation. I went to schedule with a new therapist and the ones that seemed could be a good fit are filled up until at least early April. I booked a slot and sent the therapist a message letting her know I would be interested in starting sooner if a slot opened up. I am just disappointed. I could just meet with another therapist who has earlier availability, but it's most important to me that the therapist be a good fit since I've been through therapy so many times. I feel like I'm in limbo until I have an ERP plan set up and I'm not sure how to move forward in the meantime. I'm planning try out a support group but I need a personalized exposure plan and I'm not sure if that's something I should just try to set up myself? Anyone have something similar happen to them? Any thoughts or advice would be helpful.
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
