Why isn't my ERP helping with my depression despite progress with OCD?

OCD better, Depression worse

I still don't understand why my ERP is not affecting my mood much. I have been able to maintain my composure and let my thoughts pass by for the past week but I still feel like I just want to do nothing. Even when I force myself to do chores or engage in fun activities I just feel depressed. Am I just not disciplined enough in ERP yet or am I going to need something to help with the depression aspect of this? I'm curious what others who have been through this kind of feeling think.

Username: Jesse M.Jesse M.

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

So I'm almost a year into ERP. When ERP started to achieve results and I had some relief from OCD symptoms, my brain and body could finally rest, and I had some months where I just needed to rest. I'm still in this. I can't wake up before 9am, working full time is unfathomable, it takes a lot of energy to start things. The generous assumption is that my brain and body have been on high alert for a few decades and need to recoup some energy. I'm trying to give myself time to recover

Username: Jesse M.Jesse M.

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 1y ago

I don't consider myself depressed. I wanted to share the perspective that OCD is exhausting and giving myself grace for that has been important.

Username: Ocd surferOcd surfer

Date posted: 1y ago

Hey there. I can totally relate to you. I go through the same stuff. Like the part where you described doing something forcibly and still feeling depressed. You are right ERP doesn’t set our mood right. It takes a lot of time for that to happen. At first you cut your compulsions, then you find what your true values are, then you align with those values. Then the periods of depression will be less frequent. This is what I am going through now. Hoping to reach the finish line where I no longer feel depressed. I read somewhere when you begin to exercise you don’t expect to get buffed up after a few days. You’re just increasing your strength. Consistently exercising will grow your muscles. The same way it is for building mental well being too

Username: McDuckoMcDucko

Date posted: 1y ago

Thing is I've been "working out" for almost ten years. I feel like I'm not yet skilled enough.

Username: Ocd surferOcd surfer

Date posted: 1y ago

@Asdfjklz I think you should be proud of yourself for not giving up. Don’t worry about not being skilled enough. Remember OCD doubts everything in your recovery. And I feel that during recovery we can never go back to feeling/ being the old ‘us’. We have to make peace with the new found self. Anyways cheers to you for not giving up. I’m sure you have come a long way in your recovery

Username: hen7hen7

Date posted: 1y ago

OCD and depression are 2 different things. So when you’re working on your OCD, also working on your depression would be like having 2 jobs. I also agree with Jesse: OCD is also very exhausting. So not wanting to do much sounds logical to me. Of course it sucks to not feel good and I hope that changes for you in the future, but it also sounds like you’re still in the middle of your process. I’d give it time and when you have a little bit more breathing space and energy after the OCD ordeal, who knows…

Username: KL

Date posted: 6y ago

Hi there, I recently (3 weeks ago) started ERP therapy for Pure O OCD. 90% of my thoughts are harm related. Since I’ve started the therapy, I’ve been doing the homework it’s been really tough. I’ve started to get depressed and my thoughts are totally whack-a-mole and seem to never stop. Did this happen to anyone when going through ERP?

Username: abbyvaph

Date posted: 2y ago

Hello- question about ERP

Hello- I have been battling many types of OCD on and off for 25+ years. Medication works but wanted to go off for 1st trimester of pregnancy. I am doing a good job deploying ERP tactics for pure o and real event ocd and it has removed physically anxiety symptoms and I can concentrate in life. However I do have a big sense of fear and all day gloomy feeling knowing that the thoughts that are disturbing are sitting out there and fear I will come up with new ones. Will this get better the longer I keep deploying the ERP tactics? I never have this when I am on medication. Thanks in advance.

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 1y ago

Not understanding ERP

I am new to NOCD and I have been really battling to understand and accept ERP. I feel intense sadness all day everyday, I feel no relief from feelings of intense depression, which is probably caused by the OCD. I can't fathom how I am supposed to just accept this state of depression and constant fear and not allow myself any room for trying to fix myself. I want to fix myself, I want to get better, but apparently I am not supposed to feel that, I need to say that maybe I will get better or maybe I won't. I am not supposed to do anything and I just can't understand it. Please help

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Why isn't my ERP helping with my depression despite progress with OCD?

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