I am just so frustrated right now. I’ve been in ERP with NOCD for almost five weeks and I can see a little progress but yesterday I got triggered and did not handle it well. I couldn’t stop crying and today I am struggling too. Is this apart of recovering? Ups and downs like this??
yeah , that’s 100% the process, even my therapist said that. i beat myself up all the time, ive really been trying hard not to do certain compulsions like asking for reassurance on something, but i did yesterday and couldnt stop crying as well. i hate it because then people think youre not trying or something , but i am, i really am. but don’t worry its apart of recovery
@hiddensquid How long have you been in ERP?
I once learned that healing is a journey filled with waves. We have to learn to embrace the ups and downs. I know it’s easier said than done. Self compassion and acceptance is key ✨
@Itsanina Thank you. I struggle with self compassion a lot of the time. How do you give yourself self compassion?
@Rcope09 It’s truly not easy but one of the ways I practice self compassion is by not judging myself and just simply being aware and observing my experience and not allowing it to define me. And most importantly, I remind myself that it’s normal to experience set backs but we have to keep pushing forward. Hope that helps ✨
I also have been crying for the past 2-3 days and I was diagnosed with ocd back in 2021 and it comes and goes. I feel you!
https://youtu.be/JlVID74KTOM I’m a therapist myself who has OCD. Please consider subscribing to her YouTube videos. I love the way she describes what recovery looks like. Without the bad days, recovery isn’t as successful. It’s your moment to regroup and be reminded that you are capable of handling what comes your way. If you can think of a time when you were doing well and handling stress that always reminds me of what living with OCD looks like. We can have very amazing lives despite its existence and our bad days.
@AcceptUncertainty I’ve been watching these since you posted! These are really good.
@Rcope09 Yes, they’ve helped me so much.
I have been in therapy with NOCD for a year. After the first two months, my symptoms (mainly rumination) seemed to really recede. Almost entirely. Then, after maybe five or six months, OCD decided to return with a vengeance. It was then that I REALLY learned how to do ERP and listen to my therapist’s advice and wow…it’s not easy but it does work. But yeah, there are times when I slip back. OCD is tough. Hang in there!
I can relate! I only started ERP last week but had a very triggering thing happen on Friday that has had me upset and just distraught all weekend long. I’m having a hard time even identifying some exposures I could do that aren’t over a 5. Everything feels so stressful and intense right now!!
@megbrown4 I definitely know the feeling. We can do this!!
I’m having a meltdown! Help! I have been reducing my reassurance lately. I went from 250 to now like 20 times. Huge jump in last month. But I feel absolutely awful still because it’s ERP and it gets worse before you get better. I’m so on edge so the slightest things trigger me. I’ve been having a horrible meltdown for an hour screaming at top of my lungs. I just want ERP TO Work!!! I’m putting in so much effort. I believe I’m getting closer but these meltdowns are horrible. Hopefully it’s a good sign that erp is working because the ocd is mad. Anyone else experience this in ERP? It’s such a huge change and I want my life back so bad! During this meltdown, my ocd has told me that I’m never going to get better and I’m scared.
Just kind of an ERP vent. Anyone wanna talk about this experience? It’s bumming me out. So I’ve been doing ERP exercises daily to help myself get over this theme. I started out with ERP towards the gender I have had intrusive thoughts about (men), and it helped knock out a lot of the intrusive stuff and false attractions, but working on my ERP towards women has been rather difficult. I’m still getting mental blocks. I’m trying to expose myself to them and get over false anxiety and other negative false emotions. It’s worked, but it feels like I’m stuck right now. Anyone else getting frustrated? I know ERP is a process, but it feels like it’s taking absolutely forever. Anyone wanna talk / vent about ERP frustrations?
It feels like I can never even get to be able to get there. It shakes me to my core and writing out my fears, triggers, and compulsions today for my therapist made my OCD finally feel real and that it’s not just my anxiety. Has anyone else struggled with this? Any tips for newbies who are scared 💩less?
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