Ngl i kinda wanna give up on ERP not because i don’t believe it will work but im just struggling so much rn and then i have to go to therapy and struggle more
ERP is very, very effective, but it's no cake walk. Many of us find that at first it gets worse before it gets better. This is because you're standing up to OCD and it's going to do everything possible to keep you in its grasp. If you stick with it (and, really, what's the alternative but a life of misery) you will find over time that you'll get the upper hand and OCD will gradually dissipate. Bottom line: stick with it!
It is a big, scary battle! I can absolutely understand feeling like you want to give up! I think you are so brave for sharing this. It’s like you and control of your life you want back ,ERP + practice and/or other treatments, practice on one side, and over-controlling OCD with its false panic alarms that feel/uncertainty that can feel overwhelming on the other. Personal experience with ERP: it takes time and repetition + practice. When I first started I had many more unsuccessful exposures than successful. With time and practice, and a slowly growing self-confidence, I noticed the tide was shifting the other way. Rinse and repeat for next compulsion. Due to pandemic related relapse, I am currently back on I hope to be more sturdy horse (not as consistently as I need to be yet but that is the plan) getting back into battle. It will very likely involving falling off the horse and needing to get back on I recognize ERP may not be effective for everyone, but it does help a lot of people (and you may be one of them!), including myself to learn to manage my OCD more effectively. My advice - talk to your therapist about your concerns and give it enough time to see if it effectively helps you!
Over the weekend I had so many flareups and Rushes of anxiety and panic attacks. This ERP therapy is so hard but I know it’s the right course of action just feeling stuck and a little defeated. Any advice for anybody else feeling this way or going through ERP therapy?Trying to remember this is part of the process but gosh it is so difficult.
In ERP, but have made no progress. I’m also on medication for ocd. I actually feel like I’ve resorted back to when I was at my worst. Is this normal? I feel ERP helps everyone and not me. It actually makes me more anxious and want to stop, esp because my ocd is on something physical (imperfections/hair color) I’m not giving up & going to continue through this journey regardless. I long for mental stability 😭
I’m trying to do ERP therapy, but I keep thinking my subtype of ocd is the worst there ever is. I tried going on a walk tonight and the adrenaline in my body along with the shakes and the burning in my chest got so overwhelming. I felt like I was just about to lay down in the gutter along the sidewalk. I’m not trying to be super negative. I just don’t know what to do anymore. If it’s not one thing it’s another and I just wanna cry so bad and I want it to go away but it won’t I almost feel like I have to call a crisis line or something even right now while I’m writing this I’m crying so bad. I can’t enjoy a single thing. I joined a support group tonight, but I just feel like I feel so bad for everyone because of how awful it is. I know what I’m writing right now doesn’t make a lot of sense but I just don’t know what to do anymore. Part of me wants to quit ERP therapy so bad cause I don’t think it’s gonna ever help. if anyone has any advice or suggestions, that would be greatly appreciated.
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