Encouragement
I’m looking for some encouragement. How many of you have actually gotten better with your OCD treatment? I feel like all I’m doing is switching from one theme to another and not actually going forward. The new themes are sometimes scarier because they’re “new” and there’s more uncertainty… at least with the old ones I knew how to respond and what that looked like for me.
Pre-pandemic my OCD was way better - all subtypes I had. I was still struggling with my core contamination fears and that is what continues to be an issue. Even now I am way better off than I was before. However I did require higher level treatment. So if you are working with a therapist and not progressing overall you may want to consider someone else or higher level treatment like IOP or PHP.
@Erin P Thanks!
@KKGM Wishing you luck.
Working as a therapist here at NOCD I have seen the impact of ERP being effective for so many members. It's been pretty incredible to witness some of even the most complex cases work through their OCD by participating in the ERP protocol. It makes me emotional thinking about it; I have even benefited from ERP treatment myself. So many lives can be changed by ERP which is why it is the gold standard of treatment for OCD :) There are times, however, where higher level of care is needed (meaning you may need more support) and that can be explored with a therapist. Sometimes it takes someone else to say "hey, it's time to try something new" (as in go somewhere with more intervention time and guidance).
@NOCD Therapist - Jordan Y. I appreciate the suggestions from both of you but I cannot afford to physically or financially go anywhere to receive treatment. I can barely afford what I’m doing here at NOCD.
@KKGM There are a few places with virtual IOP if you have insurance.
@Erin P I do have insurance.. not very many people take what I have though 🥴 what places do virtual? I can check to see if they take my insurance
@KKGM It would be easier if you can share what state you’re in so I don’t have to send a long list - I looked at the whole US.
@Erin P Georgia
@KKGM Now of course I’m wondering if I checked all the IOPs out after all - iocdf lists 34 IOPs for in or near Georgia but I’m not sure which offer Telehealth without looking through all my notes. Unfortunately Rogers Behavioral doesn’t for your state. If you use the search for help feature in IOCDF you can click each of the 24 after searching by “intensive treatment programs” and then click on their websites to check. Since you are in Georgia you may want to go to Shala Nicely’s website periodically to get on her wait list when it opens up when you are ready to go back down in care. I’m on California so she’s not an option for me but I find her blogs very useful.
@Erin P I will do that! Thank you so much!
@KKGM Good luck.
Hello, me 🤓 I’ve been fully recovered for 3 years, going on 4 soon.
@Nica That’s awesome! Did you do it with ERP? Did it get worse in the beginning before it got better?
@KKGM Yes, ERP. And yes, it gets worse before getting better. Healing isn’t linear.
Still working on recovery here and I feel like even though I’m not fully in control of my ocd yet I am miles ahead of where I would be without it. We hate new things as folks with ocd so just be kind to yourself and the process. It gets worse before it gets better as your ocd tries to creep in and regain control so it’s not a continual positive trend of improvement the whole way through.
@luveytwizzles I appreciate that! I think for me I just want each day to be better than the last and that’s just not how it is. My husband says he can see progress in me but I don’t always feel it 😭 maybe I’m just being too impatient and not asking too much
@KKGM Same I find I’m using my husband to help me get a real time gauge on things but sometimes that becomes seeking reassurance and I don’t trust my own thoughts. I’m also very impatient so learning patience and how to be kinder to myself for inaction is a huge part of my therapy
@luveytwizzles Same! My husband says he makes it a point not to tell me everyday because he doesn’t want it to become a “thing” for me but he will tell me every week or so that he can see me making progress. I just don’t feel it 🥴
I was in an outpatient program a few months ago. When I left my ocd was definitely better. So it did get better. But it doesn't just go away. It's coming back since I didn't work on it enough and thats why I'm here. But now I can catch it before it becomes worse. (I have it because of PANS/PANDAS, so in fairness part of it going away was my flare ended.)
I’m feeling super discouraged with my ERP progress :( I’m starting to fear that I have treatment-resistant OCD or something, or that it’s not even OCD :( I’ve got harm-OCD which it’s a tricky one to tackle bc it’s pure O. i’ve been working on ERP for about 4 years now but nothing seems to spike my anxiety enough at the time of the session. I feel safe doing the ERP, but when I get alone with my thoughts/idle mind, that’s the only time I get anxious. I’m super discouraged and anxious rn so any insight is so appreciated. xoxo
For anyone who has recovered or found ERP helpful, can you please share your best tips pr words of encouragement for doing the hard work of leaning into uncertainty? So many of us on here, myself included, are really struggling to accept uncertainty and not seek or give ourselves reassurance. It's really fucking hard not to, especially when our OCD is demanding that we find answers, resolve our worries, and get rid of the anxiety. I feel like hearing even just a few words of encouragement from those who have done the hard work could be so helpful for those of us who want freedom from OCD but are so afraid to give up our compulsions.
Hello all, I’ve been dealing with OCD for years, and doing ERP therapy for several months to a year, and trying to really dive into doing exposures. I’ve done better with some triggers, and have improved since I first discovered I had OCD, but I still have the almost constant undercurrent of anxiety and I can get so tired. I don’t want to fall into feeling like this is going to last forever, but I also want to be realistic about the chronic nature of OCD. Do you have any tips for how you keep yourself encouraged even after what seems like a long recovery journey?
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