Hi guys. Question so in my ERP when we do exposures I don’t get so easily triggered. I get more triggered just having those thoughts on an day to day basis. Also does anyone else ever feel numb or blank or is that just me.
I am in the same boat! I seem to be incapable of triggering the anxiety on purpose, like during an exposure. I’ve told my therapist and she just says I need to stay focused, but I really am trying! So because I can’t seem to trigger the anxiety on demand, I practice ERP every time an intrusive thought comes up on its own day by day. That has really helped me.
If you're doing this with a therapist maybe mention that and they will probably switch up the exposure.
Just had a thought. If you have a phobia or something, the therapist could use that to trigger you for ERP
Sometimes I notice my intrusive thoughts cause me to spiral and sometimes not. I've been practicing ERP for quite a while so it's a bit easier for me to not spiral. But I wonder why that happens. Does anyone else have it? Also I'm on medication idk if that plays a role.
So you got to ask me anything… Now I’d like to ask you something! I’ve heard from Members that they were so scared coming to their first ERP session. They were terrified that I would think they were crazy, that I would tell them their worst fears were true. That I would confirm they are some form of a terrible person or have them hauled off to prison for their thoughts. I’ve also had Members share how they’re very scared to begin ERP treatment because they’ve researched enough to know it means facing the fear, without the compulsions that have kept them feeling safe (but not really safe) this entire time. They struggled to see how they could be capable of doing this, while simultaneously acknowledging that they did not want to live like this anymore. If you have had your first session, what were your thoughts before? Did you have any hesitations or fears going into it? How did it turn out? If you haven’t yet begun to work with an ERP specialist, what is holding you back?
Can I hear some examples of specific parts of ERP that has helped you? I've been doing talk therapy for a few years and the major issue I have with it is that I already have analyzed all of my problems from every angle, so I'm kind of just sitting there yapping about it for an hour. I need solutions and things that make me feel better.
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
