Does anyone else feel like ERP is making things worse? I haven’t been doing it long but it feels like I’m struggling more than I initially was. Would love to hear any success stories or anyone else who can relate?
It gets worse before it gets better. You have to retrain your brain and of course it’s going to push back because you’ve given in for SO LONG that it is confused when you drastically change.
I think that ERP makes you more aware of what you were previously unaware of. That awareness makes me think about things more specifically and clearly; and that has made things more overwhelming. As I applied the response prevention, I have been noticing that I either resist the thoughs and do not ruminate as much as I have in the past, or think of the opposite alternative of what I was afraid of. Its kind of like when you are cleaning and things get messier before they ultimately get cleaner. Hope this helps.
It gets worse before it gets better. It’s heightening your anxiety! Also make sure you aren’t compulsing during exposure as this could make it worse. Accept uncertainty in this and everything though
Can someone please tell me at what point did you finally accept that it’s OCD? When did the ERP click for you? When did you just stop buying into the lies of OCD and finally let go? Like what does it take. It’s been 2 years of this for me and I’m in ERP currently and it’s just not clicking 😣 is it just me???
Can I hear some examples of specific parts of ERP that has helped you? I've been doing talk therapy for a few years and the major issue I have with it is that I already have analyzed all of my problems from every angle, so I'm kind of just sitting there yapping about it for an hour. I need solutions and things that make me feel better.
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 ❤️
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