ape7

Date posted: 2y

My conclusion for now

I’ve discharged from NOCD. My therapist was very supportive, understanding, nice, funny, & cared. But ERP has not worked for me & its been almost 6 months. I’m in talk therapy somewhere else & they are trying to get me another type of specialist. I just cannot resist the most important thoughts & trying to solve them. I’ve tried & tried but it’s too much. I think this was a good experience to learn from & got help with some things for sure, but it did not solve my issue & I’m effectively worse today then when I started. This is by no means a reflection on my therapist who was amazing, but the ERP just hasn’t worked for me. Take from this post what you will, but I’m very sad but trying to be hopeful I can find the correct care for me.

Estrid

Date posted: 2y

Sorry to hear but know that you are far from alone. Maybe it wasn't the right time for you, or maybe you need another form of therapy. I know some people have found ACT helpful, even DBT, or a more CBT approach- and THEN they have git back to ERP and it has worked out. Maybe you need some meds. Dont give up. I have been through many different kind of therapies...Hang in there!

ape7

Date posted: 2y

@Estrid Thank you.

Estrid

Date posted: 2y

@ape7 You are welcome😊

donnocd

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

I've had three different therapists here since mid last year... The first one was very friendly but ultimately ineffective I didn't do a single erp with her she moved off NOCD... The second I was paired with was the complete opposite.. Stoic and unfriendly.. So that didn't work out and I'm now on the third one and the first session we did last week was more comprehensive than the last six months.... The type of therapist has a significant impact on this I feel.. I don't know if this current therapist will work out but I remain hopeful On the app here they are very accommodating about changing therapists as well

ape7

Date posted: 2y

@donnocd Yes mine offered to try a different therapist here but I felt the ERP would be basically the same & is/has not been helpful for me.

donnocd

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@ape7 I'm at this point too.. But I'm trying again this time I'm trying to be more involved in the treatment... I've researched by core fears and will be bringing that to her this week.. From that we will pepare the erp work She explained that the approach would be to habituate and manage and not remove the unease but learn to lean into it.. It will take some time but I'm willing to try

donnocd

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

Speaking for myself only.. I have to figure out how to respond to the thoughts... That's the issue for me.. I get anxious with the thoughts and I have to find a way to reprocess the thoughts and not jump into the anxiety right off the bat

Estrid

Date posted: 2y

The thing is that we have to learn to let the anxiety wash over us and do nothing to the thoughts. Dont try to figure out. Use mindfulness, notice the thought, take a step back, breathe and go on with the task at hand. It takes time and practice.

donnocd

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Estrid I come up short with that... Any tips at the OCD trigger point? I just go 100% down that rabbit hole... I try to pause etc just don't catch it in time and immediately ruminate.. Any ideas?

Estrid

Date posted: 2y

@donnocd Yes, I know, it feels like an automatic response. You can practice mindfulness, short meditations two times a day, when you aren't triggered to build your mental muscles. Or...you can (and I like them) search for attention training exercises on you tube, where you learn that you can chose how you direct your attention.

donnocd

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y

@Estrid Thx so much incredibly helpful thank you Do you have have any Web links for the above?

Estrid

Date posted: 2y

@donnocd There are different levels, here is for the beginner https://youtu.be/BTqYv83yZYo

Estrid

Date posted: 2y

Jon Hershfiled is one of my favourites, has written excellent books, he has OCD himself is now a therapist:

Estrid

Date posted: 2y

https://theocdstories.com/podcast/jon-hershfield-on-mindfulness-erp-and-acceptance-for-ocd/

Anonymous1990

Date posted: 25w

ERP

I’m starting NOCD. I had several years of cbt as a child (well over 20 years ago) and I see a trauma therapist. But now I’ll be seeking further help for OCD and just really scared. CBT wasn’t helpful for me. How has ERP been helpful for you? Do you feel like you’ll finally get your life back? I’m consumed by my obsessions 😢 Would love others feedback if ERP helped you ❤️

"Pure" OCD

annabanana248

Date posted: 21w

In limbo between therapists and feeling discouraged

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.

hbocd

Date posted: 11w

ERP Therapy

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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