- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Trust the process, continue therapy no matter how hard, take your medication and be kind to yourself. It will get better, I promise. đ«¶đŒ
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Love the "be kind to yourself" part - such a great reminder!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
I actually write to my past self as an exposure all the time. Today, I wrote to me/her telling her not to internalize intrusive feelings, no matter how real they feel. I still struggle with guilt about them
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
It can be challenging, given how 'real' it all feels. Keep it up!!!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
@Brenna - NOCD Team Member Thank you â€ïž
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
just do it. be scared.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
You never know what's on the other side of fear if you don't try!!!
- Date posted
- 46w
There is something so simple and beautiful about this comment. Thank you
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
I would sayâ I know this is a really scary situation to be in. I know others are judging you but let them. You are not your thoughts nor what others think you are. Joining NOCD will give you the courage to live again and most importantly smile again. You will learn so much through this app and will meet some great peopleâ âJust keep swimmingâ
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
@Rissa94 Love this so much!
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
"You are not your thoughts" - SO TRUE! Great encouragement for our community!
- Date posted
- 46w
Itâs worth every penny. Steer into it hard. When it pushes, push back. Donât let it lie to you anymore.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
We're all stronger than our OCD!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Sometimes you donât need to try harder but try different. Itâs ok to change therapists if you feel like youâre not getting anywhere. It isnât hopeless even though it feels hopeless. You have the ability to do this- you just need the right people to get you there and itâs not your fault.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
OCD is not your fault - you're right! Having a support system can be really beneficial for many people as well.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Learn all the evidence based treatments that are available (erp/icbt/act) and combine them to crush the disorder
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
There's tons of hope :)
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Those exposures that you promised were absolutely impossible to do end up being exposures you do every day with very little distress đ
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
YES!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Man I would tell myself two months ago that it is possible to get better even though it feels impossible in the early stages and like you are physically dying - with help and a desire to get better man. You will.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
You're a lot stronger than you know!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Oh boy - so much đ„čđ„č itâs going to be the hardest thing youâve ever done and requires you to fully experience the things that give you the most fear but you can do this!!! It takes work but is SO WORTH IT!!!
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Agreed!!
- Date posted
- 46w
You will feel better . There is better days . You won't feel this way forever.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Trust the process and do ERP faithfully.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Couldnât agree more!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
It will get better. Be patient and be kind to yourself. Trust the process and give it time.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Self-compassion! Is SO important!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Don't believe "I'm sure I'm guilty and nothing can help" Take a leap of faith, and do the ERP, you have nothing to lose but so much to gain.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
"you have nothing to lose but so much to gain" - so much to gain, including a life living towards your values!!!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Itâs going to be an uncomfortable, wild ride but itâs going to be worth it!
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
A great reminder that OCD and the OCD recovery journey can feel much like a rollercoaster!
- Date posted
- 46w
Be strong and face your fear and discomfort, you can't run from your problems forever. It gets so much easier with time, patience, and practice. Nothing good comes easy!
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Time, patience, and practice are all great reminders throughout your OCD recovery journey!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Push through even though itâs hard and scary, you are capable of doing all the hard things, you are a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Awesome encouragement, thank you for sharing!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Donât give in to it. Just let it take you and eventually youâll be stronger than it and its power will become weaker and weaker
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
You're stronger than your OCD! Sometimes strength means not "white knuckling" your intrusive thoughts, but letting them come in without a reaction.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Be afraid and do it anyway!!!!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Anything worth it in this world requires hard work.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
This needs to be on a t-shirt! :)
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Homework and writing out WCS actually decreased my anxiety! Instead of thinking of them in my head on a loop when I write them analyze and get neural, I can disconnect from them.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
ERP is going to help you reclaim your life in ways you didnât think were possible. You wonât know the magnitude of your hard work until you feel hope again. But when you feel it, youâll know why you continue to do ERP on your hardest days. â€ïž
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Absolutely! ERP can be scary and challenging at first, but it can help you live the life you want to live.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Donât let the fear of facing your fears lead you to think that suicide is the only way to find peace and quiet the thoughts ruling your life and making you question what is real. One you face your fears and learn how to deal with feeling uncomfortable you will slowly get your life back
- Date posted
- 46w
Things can get better; your worst day in the present will still be better than your best day in the past.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
The concept of hope truly is game changing for a lot of people (including me!)
- Date posted
- 46w
I would say...don't expect overnight results. I would tell myself to keep a journal an go back and review certain situations and how I managed them in the past. The number one thing I would say is to...love myself no matter what. And , know that I am God's beloved.
- Date posted
- 46w
It's a never ending journey. Try enjoy it when you can
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Don't place a time stamp on when you're supposed to be "fixed". You're going to have hard days and that's okay. Rest and continue working and using your tools. Keep them close to you and don't be discouraged because things get tough.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Exactly!!! There's no timeline for OCD or for OCD recovery. Everyone is on their own path!
- Date posted
- 46w
Just start. Tiny baby steps in the right direction, don't expect massive overnight changes.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Stay the course! Try to be patient. Self-compassion really helped through my journey.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Same here!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
There is such relief in facing thoughts head-on! Recovery is so possible đ«¶đŒ
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Yes!!
- Date posted
- 46w
@sincerelyme Thank you for that!
- Date posted
- 46w
I would start by saying Welcome to the journey! Itâs not a race itâs a marathon and itâs going to require hard work, patience and love. You were made to do hard things and you can ! No matter what it feels like, no matter how it comes in - be strong, be courageous and stick to the tools you learned to overcome this obstacle once and for all.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
It's definitely a journey! "You were made to do hard things and you can" - love this!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
That I can be afraid and still do erp. That once I try it and am able to do it my confidence will grow
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
You CAN handle uncomfortable feelings!!!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Itâs going to be alright, not all your thoughts are you. KEEPGOING.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
& no such thing as "bad" thoughts! Keep going!!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
You're in such a better place than you were before starting treatment! You got this đ
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
...and learning so much about yourself throughout it all!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
You are not crazy. You just have OCD
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
...and you're stronger than your OCD!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
I think I would tell myself âit truly wonât feel like this forever, even if thatâs what your brain says. You are going to gain so much confidence in yourself and your strength through ERP. And working on ERP for OCD will make everything in your life better, even when itâs hard or scary. You are stronger than you know, and you will conquer!â
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Love this! Agreed that ERP can help many different aspects of life, not just OCD. Facing your fears is a great lesson for all!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Never give upâŠ. Believe you can⊠the other side of this will be better
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Thank you for sharing!
- Date posted
- 46w
Trust the progress you will recover
- Date posted
- 46w
You are not those thoughts. Remember who you are. You will find out what you are going through soon and one day you will be happy again. I love you<3
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Love the self-compassion!! We all need more of that!!
- Date posted
- 46w
It's worth it. It gets better. With every moment you hold strong, it gets better
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 46w
Donât let the shame of these thoughts and fear of judgement stop you from getting treatment, you deserve to have everything you ever wanted in life.
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 46w
Agreed!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 45w
I would say: please hold on. Thereâs help for this.
- Date posted
- 46w
Itâs going to be tough to go through ERP but it will be worth it
- Date posted
- 46w
Trust the process, and aim toward your values.
- Date posted
- 46w
There is help out there. You donât have to suffer. Donât hesitate to reach out for help. Reaching out for help sooner rather than later will result in you feeling better sooner.
- Date posted
- 46w
Be kind to yourself! Way kinder. Focus on the good that is in front of you. It makes sense that being present is scary...take that risk
- Date posted
- 46w
ocd will interfere with the things you loved to do and will take away the extent of the happiness you felt while going on trips and doing things you previously thought were fun. it sucks, but maybe itâll go one day.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 45w
Stop praying for help....go out and look for it..... after 5 decades, waiting for religion to help miraculously, was a terrible mistake....be proactive maybe that is God's help.
Related posts
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 20w
Hi everyone, Iâm Andrea and I am a member of the Intake Team here at NOCD. In junior high, I was known as the âaneurysm girlâ because I was convinced any small headache meant I was dying. At just 12 years old, I read something that triggered my OCD, and from that moment on, my brain latched onto catastrophic health fears. Any strange sensation in my body felt like proof that something was seriously wrong. I constantly sought reassurance, avoided being alone, and felt trapped in an endless cycle of fear. Over time, my OCD shifted themes, but health anxiety was always there, lurking in the background. I turned to drinking to numb my mind, trying to escape the fear that never let up. Then, in 2016, everything spiraled. I was sitting at work, feeling completely fine, when suddenly my vision felt strangeâsomething was âoff.â My mind convinced me I was having a stroke. I called an ambulance, launching myself into one of the darkest periods of my life. I visited doctors multiple times a week, terrified I was dying, yet every test came back normal. The fear never loosened its grip. For years, I cycled in and out of therapy, desperately trying to find answers, but no one recognized what was really happening. I was always told I had anxiety or depression, but OCD was never mentioned. I was suicidal, believing I would never escape the torment of my mind. It wasnât until 2022âafter years of struggling, hitting rock bottom, and finally seeking specialized OCD treatmentâthat I got the right diagnosis. ERP therapy at NOCD was the hardest thing Iâve ever done, but it saved my life. Today, Iâm 34, sober, and living a life I never thought was possible. Do I still have hard days? Absolutely. But I am no longer a prisoner to my fears. The thoughts still come, but they donât control me anymore. They donât dictate my every move. Life isnât perfect, but it no longer knocks me off my feet. If youâre struggling with health OCD or somatic OCD, I see you. I know how terrifying and isolating it can be. But I also know that it can get better. If you have any questions about health & somatic OCD, ERP, and breaking the OCD cycle, Iâd love to tell you what Iâve learned first hand. Drop your questions below, and Iâll answer all of them!
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 19w
December 14, 2024, marked two years since my first ERP therapy session with my NOCD therapist, Mixi. And October 2024 marked a year of being free from OCD. It was not an easy journey, confronting my fears face to face. Exposing myself to the images and thoughts my brain kept throwing at me, accepting that I might be the worst mother, that my daughter wouldnât love me, and that I deserved to be considered a bad person. It was challenging having to say, âYes, I am those things,â feeling the desire to run, but realizing the thoughts followed me. At the start of my therapy, I remember feeling like I couldnât do this anymore. Life felt unbearable, and I felt so weak. I longed for a time before the OCD, before the flare-ups, before the anxiety, the daily panic attacks. I thought Iâd never be myself again. But I now know that ERP saved my life. The first couple of sessions were tough. I wasnât fully present. I lied to my therapist about what my actual thoughts were, fearing judgment. I pretended that the exposures were working, but when the sessions ended, I went back to not sleeping, constantly overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. But my therapist never judged me. She made me feel safe to be honest with her. She understood OCD and never faltered in supporting me, even when I admitted I had been lying and still continued my compulsions. My biggest milestone in therapy was being 100% transparent with my therapist. That was when real change began. At first, I started smallâsimply reading the words that terrified me: "bad mom," "hated," "unloved." Then, I worked on listening to those words while doing dishesânot completely stopping my rumination, but noticing it. Just 15 minutes, my therapist said. It wasnât easy. At one point, I found myself thinking, âWill I ever feel like myself again?â But I kept pushing through. Slowly, I built tolerance and moved to face-to-face exposuresâsitting alone with my daughter, leaning into the thought that my siblings might die, reading articles about my worst fears, and calling myself the things I feared. Each session was challenging, but with time, the thoughts started to lose their grip. By my eleventh session, I started to realize: OCD was here, and it wasnât going away, but I could keep living my life despite it. I didnât need to wait for it to be quiet or go away to move on. Slowly, it began to quiet down, and I started to feel like myself again. In fact, I am not my old self anymoreâIâm a better version. OCD hasnât completely disappeared, but itâs quieter now. Most of the time, it doesnât speak, and when it does, I know how to handle it. The last session with my therapist was emotional. I cried because I was finishing therapy. I remember how, in the beginning, I cried because I thought it was just startingâbecause I was overwhelmed and terrified. But at the end, I cried because I was sad it was ending. It felt like I had come so far, and part of me wasnât ready to say goodbye, even though I had already learned so much. It was a bittersweet moment, but I knew I was walking away stronger, equipped with the tools to handle OCD on my own. If I could change anything about my journey, it would be being open and honest from the beginning. It was the key to finding true healing. The transparency, the honestyâit opened the door to lasting change. Iâm no longer that person who was stuck in constant panic. Iâm someone who has fought and survived, and while OCD still appears from time to time, I know it doesnât define me. I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments. Have you started therapy, is something holding you back? Is there something you want to know about ERP therapy? I'll be live in the app answering each and every one today from 6-7pm EST. Please drop them below!
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 19w
So you got to ask me anything⊠Now Iâd like to ask you something! Iâve 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. Iâve also had Members share how theyâre very scared to begin ERP treatment because theyâve 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 havenât yet begun to work with an ERP specialist, what is holding you back?
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