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!!
Moment of honesty here: I’ve been resisting compulsions pretty consistently the last day or so and I feel absolutely terrible. I’ve been doing ERP and I feel absolutely terrible. Plus my OCD is telling me that, since the things that the things I’m told will help me aren’t yet, I must actually be trans. Though it’s a slightly different kind of terrible. Of course this makes sense. With ERP you’re triggering yourself on purpose, and by refusing compulsions you’re cutting yourself off from the thing that would give you (very short term) relief. I just have to sit with the doubt, the uncertainty, the fear, the possibility, and try to accept it. The near constant anxiety, of always having that vague feeling of being on the verge of tears, or like I’ve been crying even though I haven’t. Of course I feel terrible. But it’s also hard not to be discouraged. Especially when I hear people say they felt some manner of relief from the start of therapy. I’m told that this will eventually subside, that I’ll feel normal again, but that feels like a very long way off, if it ever even comes.
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.
Hi all. I felt better yesterday afternoon. I promised myself I wouldnt look up about OCD. It was hard but I did it. I felt much better last night but then I wake up this morning feeling like I am back to square one as have huge anxiety again. I have done my ERP this morning for over 20 minutes but anxiety has only gone down from 7 to 5. Feeling better one day and then not the next.....is this how the erp is starting to work? I have only been doing it for a week and a half. Just need some support at the moment. Thank you xx
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