I am new to this. The first two sessions I thought were kind of hard but I left them feeling excited for a future of growth and healing and breaking out of OCD’s grip. This last session was more intense and my compulsions ramped up after; I feel exhausted & I’ve tried sitting with my feelings and it does help them calm a bit but they won’t go away entirely and I’m edgy, exhausted and discouraged. I hate OCD.
I understand the feeling. I wasn’t able to get under a level 4 anxiety my last session. We are in this together. I hear that it gets easier with practice❤️
Yes. Cutting out compulsions takes time and it is difficult and painful to not do any things to make yourself feel better. This treatment can be a bit like “put your hand in the frying pan, don’t pull it out, don’t ice it, don’t use cool water, just deal with it. Eventually it won’t hurt.” That’s what it can be like, but doing it too fast can make it worse. It takes time and is hard work, but not engaging with the thought is essential.
I started ERP therapy yesterday and had my second session today. During my session of trying to do an exposure, I started crying, and became very anxious. I know that this type of therapy is hard, but how do you know this is just some thing that you can’t do? I have been anxious all day and my exposure has been the only thing I’ve been able to think of. I want to get better but I don’t know if I’m able to push myself this much.
Just got off a call with my new OCD therapist and ERP is so exhausting 😭 Intentionally triggering the anxiety feels so wrong, I know everyone says it’s the gold standard but ugh. My body feels like it’s run a marathon. I just want a vacation from this sh*t. I’m not giving up. Just needed a place to vent and knew you all would understand. Mad respect for those of you who have been doing ERP for years. It’s so hard 🥺
Recently started ERP and first I was very optimistic and hopeful about my decision and I was managing yk being exposed to my thoughts and fears during session but now my compulsions are super super bad I feel like I’m almost like a failure and that I’m never gonna be able to get better because I am doing my homework but it’s just so difficult cause I am trying so hard to resist a compulsion but today it was just so so difficult my compulsions went out of control
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