- Username
- Anonymous
- Date posted
- 45w ago
Doing the "RP"
What differences did you notice when you started to actually resist compulsions? Are intrusive thoughts less frequent? Less intense?
What differences did you notice when you started to actually resist compulsions? Are intrusive thoughts less frequent? Less intense?
It'll get more intense and more frequent at first as you're stressing yourself out, and then will go down gradually to a point where its almost non-existent and intrusive thoughts are just like anything else running through your head. Time span is different for everyone
Thank you!!!
@Anonymous Always remember why you're doing it when it gets tough. You're not running away from ocd, you're running towards a better life. The perception helps massively. You're not doing it out if fear but out of hope
@Wolfram Thank you I needed that. I'm feeling so burnt out in the process.
@Anonymous It's OK to take little rests. It's tougher the faster you go. The more driven you are, the easier it is. I used to have a mantra I'd repeat pretty much every morning and every time I got to my limit with Erp. "I will get better. Nothing or no one will stop me"
@Wolfram I'm going to start doing that. I had that attitude at first, quit medication and had a bad relapse so I'm picking up the pieces now and unfortunately get negative thoughts like "what if this never gets better" but I know that's not the mindset to have!
@Anonymous Something I came across recently which I'm trying is replacing the "what ifs" with "even ifs".
@Wolfram Oh I REALLY like that thank you!! You've got great advice much appreciated
@Anonymous Np. You're heading in the right direction
It’s the feeling of being in denial that I struggle to deal with when trying to not do compulsions
Apparently your mind realises the thoughts arnt as important anymore because your not trying to force them anyway and get less frequent. I’ve really tried today to not do my compulsions and my anxiety is though the root when I try!! My compulsions are repeating words and ruminating!!😭😭 hope it gets easier
I was wondering if this is a thing. Like, say, especially if you are in the process of getting better. Doesn't doing ERP every day keep reminding you of your obsessions? Is there a point where you should do it less often? Or how does this work?
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.
does anyone else use the fact that they dont like their thoughts as a confirmation/compulsion, and or when you go through something stressful with little to no compulsions take it as a sign they actually like it? is this apart of usual rumination or am I expirencing something different? and how do you deal with it?
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