Guys HELPPPP

So recently I have been doing ERP for a while now, a few months, and the results have been amazing. When I came back to school though, I got really exhausted towards the end of the week and started doing compulsions again. I ended up patching that up though and I have gotten better and more experienced with doing ERP. But I feel really really really tired trying to keep up with all my intrusive thoughts. I don’t interact with them, I don’t put meaning to them, I do what I was taught to do in therapy, notice them, and then “say alright, I agree with that” or don’t respond at all, and everything’s works out. But lately, I’ve have been feel a little woozy because I’m so out of it and it’s affecting my schoolwork, my home life, and Everything in general. I’m trying to stay motivated, trying to stay strong, but I feel so exhausted resisting compulsions. Btw, OCD affects every single part of my day. I deal with it day in and day out. From the moment I wake up til I go to bed. That’s how bad it is. My main concern is how to keep up. I am doing therapy it’s great, but I’m having trouble again because I’m so damn tired!!! I’m so mentally exhausted. I feel like I need more than just ERP therapy to manage it though. Does anyone have suggestions or advice? Please I really really need it I’m so tired

djflorio

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 49w

I'm glad to hear that ERP has been positivel! I know how difficult this can be, though, and it's understandable that you're feeling worn out from all of this work. For me personally, meditation is extremely helpful, and it pairs very well with ERP training. In both ERP and meditation, you practice being with yourself without resistance. It doesn't happen overnight, but after consistently meditating for a while I've really noticed the benefits. Also, I don't know what your general lifestyle is like, but be sure to incorporate a healthy diet and exercise when you can. It can be easy to forget about that stuff when you're so focused on something like ERP. Finally, don't forget to go easy on yourself, take breaks, and reward yourself now and then. Sometimes we get so obsessed (lol) with self-improvement that it starts to have the opposite effect. Hope this helps.

Emilia<3

Date posted: 49w

@djflorio Thank you so much 😭 I really appreciate it and I needed to hear all of this

Emilia<3

Date posted: 49w

@djflorio I’m a AP student and I do A LOT of school work, but I do maintain a good diet and I do exercise often. I do ERP regularly, but it just every time I resist a compulsion I get this wave of tiredness and fatigue. I try my best to stay in the now without forcing it but I just can’t do it. I tried doing school work today, but I got a headache…I got a unit test tomorrow and other stuff too it’s been difficult.

djflorio

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 49w

@Emilia<3 Yes it sounds like you're under a lot of stress right now. Do you have any hobbies that you can unwind with? Activates that require focus and involve your hands are fantastic for bringing you into the present and switching off self-referential thinking. Things like drawing, painting, sculpting, playing music, cooking, gardening, calligraphy, scrapbooking, knitting...you get the idea. Getting into the "flow" state has been proven to reduce stress and alleviate intrusive thoughts. If you find that you have no time for anything like that, maybe take a step back to reprioritize things a bit. School is important of course, but taking too many classes/credits simply isn't worth the stress (coming from someone who took AP calculus in high school and way too many college credits).

Emilia<3

Date posted: 49w

@djflorio Yea ok that sounds good I have been making movable wings these past few days and it has been really fun imma do that

djflorio

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 49w

@Emilia<3 Sounds awesome!

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