- Date posted
- 1y
ERP Therapy
Anyone here who tried doing ERP themselves? How is it? Is it effective? Is it even possible??
Anyone here who tried doing ERP themselves? How is it? Is it effective? Is it even possible??
Erp is so much more than just exposing yourself to the triggers. It’s consciously allowing these OCD thoughts enter your brain and not reacting. Once you stop reacting your brain will slowly begin to take the hint. You to become comfortable with the terrible ocd thoughts. No matter how disgusting they are. They aren’t true. Allow them to come and go.
I hope I can do it! 🙏
@OCMinimalist Just do the best you can and be compassionate with yourself. This takes time and is a learning process so don’t give up and don’t be too hard on yourself. You can do it
@ivrec Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
I did it and still do. I had to educate myself through my old therapist though and lots of other resources before I fully understood it.
Yes and learning the most about OCD really helps. Knowing that by letting the OCD false thoughts come and dealing with the anxiety while going about your day you learn that you can handle the anxiety and by not pushing the intrusive thoughts away you are training your brain the proper response to them.
Thanks! I've been planning this for a long time but I don't know how to start. I'm trying to do it now.
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.
I’m starting NOCD. I had several years of cbt as a child (well over 20 years ago) and I see a trauma therapist. But now I’ll be seeking further help for OCD and just really scared. CBT wasn’t helpful for me. How has ERP been helpful for you? Do you feel like you’ll finally get your life back? I’m consumed by my obsessions 😢 Would love others feedback if ERP helped you ❤️
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond