starting therapy

Yknow I feared the same thing but then I started it and it's not as scary as you think. It gets easier overtime and you start low and build up your tolerance. Theyre not throwing you to the sharks don't worry :) more like. showing you a picture of a shark, and then overtime as you grow less scared of sharks, they'll let you dip your feet in! Lol 😊

It’s way less painful than you think and way less painful than continuing to let OCD run the show and cause all the pain it wants. If you remember anything though, remember that what you put into it, you get out of it. I was afraid to trust the therapy and take the leap of faith for a long time, when I finally did I saw the results start. It’s not easy all the time, but with gradual progress, you do feel better. =]

The things you'll be facing in erp are things you already face the difference is you'll get a say. Instead of sitting around waiting for ocd to come and ruin your day erp gives you the ability and tools you may not have right now to say "no ocd ima deal with this at 5 pm with xyz so you can just wait until then." You're right thou erp isn't a quick fix and those who have symptom reduction with medication my opinion is they don't end up doing erp and getting the tools to handle ocd when the meds stop or if they need adjusted and delayed or didn't so if you do go that way pls still do erp. Stories... I am a paramedic who had a horrible back door spikes that put me out of work for 3 years and in the hospital. I started therapy here at NOCD with a great therapist Judy in November of last year. I am not "cured" but I am back in school, back on an ambulance, and back to enjoying life. Do I still have rough days? Yes... do still have intrusive thoughts that like to surprise me? yes... I am 80% better than I was last year at this time. I may never be 100% but I am happy and I am living. Don't let the boogie man jump out whenever he wants. Take charge of this and make him a kitten instead. You're def strong enough. 💪🏻

Figure this by far and large the therapists have heard it all before and are on the most part equipped to deal with you and your issues. They are paid professionals. I state these comments in the hope to loosen the grip a little of the the therapy anxiety that you are having. Personally I feel OCD and most other things turn out to be a manageable condition where you can have a good quality of sleep if you apply yourself. ERP has helped me a little in combination with other things for example a secondary therapist for other issues , proper diet , exercise, vitamins and supplements, meditation and other things . Lower the bar a little with your expectations it is not all or nothing. Hopefully you did your research on selection of a therapist that you feels aligns with what you want in a therapist.

That is quality of life

So many good answers here already! I just wanna add that a part of the ERP was a really a boosterfor me, when I had done a hard exposure it was like "wow, if I did THIS I can do more" it was a very special feeling and since therapy I know this deeo inside even days shen I'm struggling a lot. I know the tools and I kniw that I am a fighter. Wishing you all the best! Trust the therapist (if it's a good one;-)) and the process, one step at a time.