I still don't understand how ERP makes you feel better. If you are questioning your thoughts and saying maybe, maybe not, that won't make me feel better. I feel like I'll only feel more sick.
When you do ERP, you desensitize yourself to the thoughts which essentially tells your brain that there’s no threat and you can handle whatever the “threat” is. When you react with fear, you’re sending the message that you’re in danger which only causes the thoughts and anxiety to come back repeatedly. ERP stops this cycle.
There is a lot more to ERP than this for sure, but a major part is learning that you can, in fact, handle or tolerate the distress that the intrusive thoughts bring. We know that OCD tends to attack a person's values. The thoughts experienced are considered ego-dystonic, meaning they go against what that individual would actually want. The thoughts they experience are not enjoyable, in fact, they are often tormented by these thoughts. Research suggests that people living with OCD have an impaired ability to block out obsessive information. The goal initially is to teach the individual to sit in discomfort for a period of time without engaging in rituals. This allows the individual to learn to tolerate feelings of uncertainty. The person learns to sit with the intrusive thoughts and in the possibility of them being true. When someone is experiencing OCD, the mere thought of not knowing something for sure can be terrifying. When the individual is able to see that they can actually tolerate the feelings of uncertainty, they feel more confident in their ability to handle the distress and the situations that trigger these feelings. They learn that by not engaging in compulsions they can obtain longer-term relief from anxiety. ERP is not, however dangerous. People with OCD experience triggers every day in real-world examples. The only difference is that in the treatment they are making a conscious effort to address these triggers and respond differently. They are learning non-engagement techniques. I would suggest it is far more dangerous to live with untreated OCD and the pain and suffering of the symptoms. That being said, I know it can feel really scary to start something new. I always try and remind people with OCD, that how they are likely living now is scarier and the feelings ERP brings with it are temporary with the goal of lasting results. If you are interested in finding out more please schedule a call with our team. https://learn.nocd.com/scheduler
Exactly! Unfortunately that’s what we have to get used to. Sitting with discomfort and learning to be ok with not knowing everything for certain. It SUCKS but it does work. I’ve been able to get over 2 huge themes that bothered me for a long time because of ERP. It’s hard but it does get better. Another thing because maybe maybe not doesn’t always work is just being like ok ocd whatever you say 🙄 and just not engaging in the thoughts, I’ve also said ok that’s an interesting thought ocd. But I’m going to get back to what I’ve been doing I know you’re just trying to protect me but I don’t need you to, I got this
What you see posted here all the time are people seeking reassurance, ruminating, and giving into their OCD constantly. The people that participate in ERP and recover don’t stick around to help—which they are definitely not required to, but you see a huge skew towards the idea no one gets better from ERP therapy. Which isn’t the case; plenty of people do. And it’s not just “maybe, maybe not.” It’s intense therapy with structure and tolerance hierarchy and anxiety hierarchy that you take on step by step with you therapist.
This video might be helpful: https://nocd.page.link/fWRriZGoEYGWAhUC7
Happy Tuesday friends. Question for you all: I have recently started ERP therapy (about one month ago) and I feel in a way it has helped. But I also notice that I feel the thoughts I do have are SO intense that I feel like I’m gonna explode and then I’ll cry and get upset but then feel better after having a “freak out”. Does this happen to any of you guys? Also, I told my therapist yesterday some of the exposures we had been doing made me uncomfortable. Like really really uncomfortable. She made me feel a little bad about not doing it and stated this would prolong my progress if I didn’t do it. I’m not sure if I should push my self to do this exposure because she told me to or to stick up for myself and move at my own pace. Thanks everyone.
i don’t think i can, i can’t stomach the possibility of these things, or maybe i can (because they might be true and deep down i know that) and just don’t want to and want to pretend it isn’t there. i can’t do ERP, i just want to pretend it isnt there and won’t happen to clarify, i know i have to do ERP, i know it’s necessary; i don’t need to be told this, this is just how i am feeling currently
I’ve noticed that I’m somewhat happier also ignoring my thoughts than I am instead of doing compulsions (I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired atp) but I’ve heard you’re technically supposed to do erp rather than pushing under the rug. But idk if I have a thought I just refuse to think about it again and im fine even if I want to do compulsions
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