Help for pure ocd

Hi. I’m 4 sessions into ERP after doing years and years of traditional talk therapy. I’m having trouble coming up with exposures for therapy because I feel like all my triggers and compulsions revolve around my thoughts. I don’t do physical compulsions per se. If you experience more of pure ocd, how do you work through things during therapy? I literally feel locked in my brain and get just a few minutes of relief in between my spirals. I’m currently on meds as well and wondering if I need an adjustment. Thanks ❤️

"Pure" OCD

Username: hajvanardhajvanard

Date posted: 18w ago

I started CBT this spring but havent come to the ERP part yet. However I had my fair shair of mental compulsions in the last 10 years or so. Rumination, reassurence seeking etc. What I noticed and later also read helps was "pushing" the thought further. Don't pull "the anxiety rope" back. Catastrophize the idea you fear. The anxiety gets worse on the beginig but after a short period of time it lowers, as if your brain gets the message: "It's not very likely" 😄 For milder episodes a simple "maybe" or "who knows ..." to your fearful questions and doubts also help.

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: William0cd

Date posted: 2y ago

I have pure o ocd, and I’m filling out my heirarchy but I’m struggling to understand triggers and therefore exposures. I generally just get thoughts for no reason, particularly when my mind is idle I just start scanning for potential worries, and there aren’t any specific triggers like with contamination ocd. When I have a specific worry, it just pops up - and although my compulsions are clear (rationalising, reassurance seeking). How do you build out triggers and exposures in this case? Do I need to just think about the worry without doing the compulsion?

Username: Lovewins

Date posted: 1y ago

Newly diagnosed

I was recently diagnosed with OCD. Probably more along the lines more of Pure O. . . Very very distressing intrusive thoughts and fears. I can see how it's likely been an issue most of my adult life but really exacerbated lately. It's exhausting. Has caused a significant disruption in my life and it Feels like a constant mental battle. Has anyone had luck with medication? I was recommended for lexapro. Tried it for 3 days and felt awful. Is the ERP therapy usually effective without medication? I'm on the wait list for a nocd therapist as they say they don't currently have any available in my state.

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Help for pure ocd

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