I’m new to being as open with my ocd as I have been in the past, and I think this is the place to feel safe. I’ve been tackling my ocd with ERP (exposure response prevention) and it’s been extremely successful in the past and now. Just right now, and I’m about to start new medicine for my ocd that I’m hopeful about, I just feel tired. I’m making myself get up and do things but it’s almost like my body is on one big come down from maybe all the anxiety added up over the weeks. It’s just making me feel slumped and like I could almost start feeling depressed. I just wanted to know if anyone had any personal successes on how to overcome this feeling. Thank you all and much love to all who deal with this.

It is super normal - when you have been doing ERP hard core you progress and then you hit a stage of lethargy that feels like depression and lots of tiredness. Don't know why that is but have heard many people going through the same - that is the place where many relapse. You need to push through and do lots of self care and behavioural activation. Friendship and distraction at this stage is crucial.

By relapse I mean going into full blown panic attacks and anxiety and doing compulsions. -- Behavioural activation is restarting all those activities you've been putting off and/or avoiding due to anxiety and/or treatment such as friends, hobbies, work, school, relationships, etc.

I appreciate that a lot! It’s mainly worse when I’m home alone in my own thoughts. It’s the best time to practice ERP but with the fewest distractions so it’s a catch 22. Should give me some resilience but sucks in the moment. It seems so simple to do some of my compulsions but I know it isn’t beneficial. Thank you for the response! I rode my bike up and hunt with some friends and it was very fun and gave me the boost I needed, even just for those few hours.

@FernandoV - how does one relapse when it comes to forms of OCD? And what is behavioral activation? If you don’t mind me asking.

Ahhh, ok. Thanks for takin the time to respond. Ya learn something new every day.