- Username
- OCDlikewoah
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w ago
Worse before it gets better?
Has anyone who started ERP therapy felt that your ocd or anxiety has gotten worse (at first) before it gets better?
- Username
- MichelleVMichelleV
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w ago
Yes. In my experience, tackling my ruminations and compulsions head on with ERP made them feel stronger. For me, it was because I was practicing not giving in to them for the first time. So don’t worry if things feel more stressful in the beginning-it gets easier.
- Username
- Forever LearningForever Lear...
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w ago
Yes, my first month was rough. I had no idea how bad my OCD was....I thought I just had a little issue. Understanding my OCD triggers has been a breakthrough. Be patient and work the steps. I just began to see my own progress over the last week.
- Username
- HobbitHobbit
- Date posted
- 46w ago
@Anonymous I’m had/having this same experience ❤️🩹
- Username
- I'm>ocdI'm>ocd
- Date posted
- 43w ago
How long have you been working on your erp? I'm literally just starting. I have had 2 weeks of sessions for doing the evaluations and beginning my fears and response list. Just now starting the erp.
- Username
- gixmogixmo
- Date posted
- 46w ago
Yes, the hyper awareness was exhausting but revealing. I had to give myself some space for processing it all. Got better in a strong way. Keep working 💛
- Username
- I'm>ocdI'm>ocd
- Date posted
- 43w ago
The hyper awareness is like all the time for me, and like you said, so exhausting. I'm just starting my erp and looking forward to better days and having peace.
- Username
- smsmith_14smsmith_14
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w ago
Super common
- Username
- OCDlikewoahOCDlikewoah
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w ago
As an update, I did my ERP homework today. I was very stressed during but felt a sense of accomplishment after. Sometimes I dread moving up the hierarchy and not knowing how I will cope with it. But I have a bit of hope that I can eventually get there. Thank you everyone for your input. This is one of the hardest things I've ever dealt with!
- Username
- MichelleVMichelleV
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w ago
@OCDlikewoah Congratulations on doing your homework despite the stress!! It’s not easy. Hold on to your hope, you will get there ❤️
- Username
- gixmogixmo
- Date posted
- 46w ago
@OCDlikewoah glad you’re feeling better about it !
- Username
- arae624arae624
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w ago
Yes
- Username
- Bryar___Bryar___
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w ago
Yes, excited for when the trigger feels less immense. I am new starting, so the triggers are still quite stressing
- Username
- OCDlikewoahOCDlikewoah
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w ago
@Bryar___ Oh me also! And my triggers and themes jump around trying to latch onto anything. I have been through so many hard things before and overcame them.
Related posts
- Username
- KL
- Date posted
- 6y ago
Hi there, I recently (3 weeks ago) started ERP therapy for Pure O OCD. 90% of my thoughts are harm related. Since I’ve started the therapy, I’ve been doing the homework it’s been really tough. I’ve started to get depressed and my thoughts are totally whack-a-mole and seem to never stop. Did this happen to anyone when going through ERP?
- Username
- Anonymous
- Date posted
- 2y ago
Afraid of ERP
I’m currently in one of the worse OCD flare ups of my life. I’m trying to hold on so I can work and support my family. Purposefully triggering my obsessions during ERP sounds terrifying. I’ve heard “it gets worse before it gets better.” I can’t afford for it to get worse. How much worse can I expect my symptoms to get?
- Username
- 🚀
- Date posted
- 2y ago
Ocd getting worse?
Ever since I started ERP I feel like my OCD is only getting worse. I have more intrusive thoughts and memories and they feel worse than they did before. Am I doing it wrong?
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond