- Username
- hlrose
- Date posted
- 421d ago
Well, there's a bit more to it, but it is allowing fear and discomfort without engaging in behaviors (compulsions) to neutralize the feelings if that makes sense. I recommend watching some youtube videos by NOCD or Nathan Peterson- they will give more detailed education on OCD treatment. It is believed that people who suffer from OCD misinterpret the importance of their thoughts. In other words, they want to know why they have them in the first place. They give the thoughts meaning, particularly if the thoughts are bothersome to them. Individuals with OCD often experience an inflated sense of responsibility, believing that they are able to control external events and prevent “bad” things from happening to themselves and others. People who have OCD also tend to feel the need to control their thoughts and they often view thoughts in and of themselves as being dangerous. It makes sense then that ERP would work to disprove the person’s fears through exposure. ERP is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, that focuses more specifically on the behavioral components. The goal of ERP is not to get rid of intrusive and unwanted thoughts. ERP teaches the individual that everyone has similar thoughts, they just respond to them differently. The more the person with OCD responds to the thoughts, or engages with the thoughts, the more likely they are to continue to have these.
I look at it like leaning into the fear, while resisting reactions and compulsions. When we can limit our reactions to something, it can lose meaning. And that can stick over time! The key in my opinion is resisting compulsions. ERP can teach you many ways to go about this.