Anonymous
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 2y
Magical thinking and OCD
MichelleVMichelleV
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
When I’m driving, and I see pedestrians, or people on bicycles, I have to think the word “safe” when I see them, as my ocd has me believe that this will protect them from being hit by a car, or injury (especially children). If I don’t think the word “safe,” something might happen to these strangers. It is absolutely a heavy burden, and I really didn’t question it until I started ERP.
AnonymousAnonymous
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 2y
YES- this is a common way in which OCD can show up
dan_stardan_star
- Date posted
- 2y
Unfortunately sometimes it seems even if u don't do the compulsion, you still have anxiety about it weeks later, especially when bad things r happening so u feel responsible and that if u just give into the compulsion bad things will stop happening and u won't be anxious anymore
NODANODA
- Date posted
- 2y
Yes, exactly. Does dmthis put us in the 20% who are not benefiting from Erp?
NODANODA
- Date posted
- 2y
Stacy, could you please answer my question. As a therapist I believe you should have an ansawer to my question. Although everybody throws the words gold standard around for erp as it was all there was for treating ocd, since meds help but even less than erp, I do not appreciate the words hold standard. Why? Because the 80% of people that it does help is a lot, but so is the 20% that it doesn't. 20% out of estimated 70 million people with ocd is A LOT. So, although it works, Erp can't be the only technique to help people with ocd (let's leave the meds out of this for the sake of the argument, since they are never 100%effective and psychiatrists consider it a success if they lower the symptoms even just for 20-30%). It doesn't work for 14000000 people. 14 milion people! There must be sth else out there, right?!? Does anyone here know what it is or are we just lost cases?
AnonymousAnonymous
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 2y
ERP is not the only treatment for OCD- however it is the first line of treatment and as you mentioned, the best therapy for many, many sufferers. We also know that OCD is considered a chronic condition- meaning it can wax and wane over a lifetime. I do not believe in 'lost causes' personally- I think everyone can live a life based on their values- in spite of whether they have OCD or not. There can be many reasons why ERP doesn't work, my first recommendation is to make sure that you see a specialist who can walk you through it and problem solve reasons it may not be working. OCD can be so creative and so nuanced, sometimes people don't even realize that they may be doing safety seeking behaviors and other behaviors that are interfering with the benefits of ERP. It may also be that in these cases where ERP truly isn't providing a significant enough improvement that a add on treatment may be very beneficial. ACT for example. I think we have to be cautious about all or nothing thinking when we look at recovery- what is someones definition of recovery? When we say 80% of people with OCD get better it is important to realize that doesn't mean they stop having intrusive thoughts or are completely symptom free, in fact many are not, they just are able to recognize the illness and use appropriate tools to handle the symptoms and manage it more effectively. When I was growing up with OCD- there were not anywhere near as much known about OCD or it's treatment so I went mostly untreated. Over time more and more effective research has been done and we are always learning and growing in our understanding of this condition, there is so much hope. Who knows what the future of treatment may hold? It is never hopeless. Everyone's journey looks different. I did 7.5 years of therapy, combined with medication management (which took some time). This therapy was a combination of treatments, with ERP being the most effective ultimately. I still took valuable insights and contributions from other therapies. I hope this helps a little. OCD has historically been know to be one of the hardest mental health conditions to treat for various reasons, so 80% is huge. Yes we need to find ways of helping the other 20% and I believe it is possible.
NODANODA
- Date posted
- 2y
Thank you!
AnonymousAnonymous
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 2y
of course :) I wish you the best in your recovery!
NODANODA
- Date posted
- 2y
If ERP is 80% effective with magical thinking ocd, what helps the other 20%?
dan_stardan_star
- Date posted
- 2y
Meds 🤷♀️
NODANODA
- Date posted
- 2y
But meds never work 100%, only relieve symptoms up to like 50% if one is lucky and even that for around only 60% of the people. So, what if in these remaining 40% are those 20 % from Erp? Is there help for them?
Jennica B.Jennica B.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
I’ve had this one too then 🫣
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