So I've been doing ERP therapy for almost a year now. Doing exposures but still feel stuck. Just started reading "brain lock". Not sure if anybody has read it. Omg so far so good. It makes sense now. Why our brains get "stuck". Has that book helped anyone in our group?
Very good book. First time I really learned about what I have. Has helped alot.
It's nice to read the specifics on OCD and the steps that actually help manage it. Wish I would've found this book sooner ❤️
Thanks for the tip! I will check it out
You're welcome.
So good to hear. Just found it on Libby!
Nowadays that book is not so often recommended among OCD therapists - because it's easy to fall in the trap of developing new compulsions when you use the method. I thought it was good when I read it 15 years ago - but now I can see it wasn't that useful. There are many other books I rather should recommend. But: give it a try! We are all different.
I skimmed through it. Took notes on the 4 step method. It was great to read about how our brains work though. Especially about the difference in the activity of our brain on scans. The OCD themes he used for reference (besides one that he only quickly glossed over) I couldn't relate to so I quickly lost interest. If a book doesn't catch my attention in first few pages I won't continue reading it. What other books would you recommend?
@Estrid Like which book
@proudmommy I agree! My favourite books are: everything written by Jon Hershfield, Stopping the noice in your head- Reid Wilson and Needing to know for sure - Sally Winston and Martin Seif - it's a really good one!
@Estrid Thank you! I'll check those out.
I personally love Brain Lock by Dr. Schwartz! I recently wrote a book as well....but full disclosure - it is written from a Christian perspective....if interested you can see more at WagingWarAgainstOCD.com
Love the name "waging war against ocd! I'll check out your site and book.
@proudmommy - Great and thank you!
I’ve completed 11 sessions so far and I can honestly see progress. I’m not back to my “normal” self but I’m gaining parts of my life and my personality back. I never knew I had OCD. I always attributed things to anxiety. Being diagnosed let me know I’m not alone, I’m not crazy, and that there’s help for me. I have a long list of OCD subtypes. As you can imagine, the thoughts and images in my head were extremely distressing and I was concerned for my quality of life and my sanity. 11 sessions in and I’m able to watch shows and movies without being scared I’ll see a trigger, I can practice exposures and navigate through my obsessions better, and I’m finding joy in the little moments in life. I used to avoid so many things and people because I was scared I’d have intrusive thoughts. I still struggle with intrusive thoughts every single day. Some days and even weeks are bad and I struggle more than usual. I have mood swings, extreme irritability, and even sometimes experiencing depersonalization. Sometimes I just plain out feel uncomfortable and weird. But like my therapist said, progress is not linear. I’m learning to count my wins instead of always counting my losses. I’m learning to enjoy the little bits of life that are ok, and I feel proud when I get through hard moments. I’m excited for the future. I’m excited to see how much I progress. Sometimes I’m still scared but I know that’s my OCD trying to get me to quit because we both know this ERP therapy is helping. If you’re struggling, please seek help. It does get better. I wanted to quit after doing my first exposure. I’m so happy I didn’t. And on hard days when I want to give up, I know this is what I’m supposed to be doing to help myself.
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.
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