- Date posted
- 7y
- Date posted
- 7y
Thank you SO much for the response. Are you feeling better now?
- Date posted
- 7y
In my experience and others that I’ve spoken to.. when you start doing ERP, it’s very normal for your OCD to actually get a bit worse because you’re changing the way you normally act when confronted with OCD. Your brain will naturally start throwing more stuff at you at the start because it’s not used to this, but as your practice and keep doing the exercises, you will become stronger and stronger and the thoughts will have much less of an impact on your life.
- Date posted
- 7y
Oh I definitely struggled. It is not easy and is honestly the last think you want to be doing. So, of course I got depressed. Starting slow and taking my time in the treatment really made it easier for me. Also, making sure I stayed in the range of anxiety that I was supposed to helped me. So, on a scale of 1-7, saying in a 4-5 range for anxiety levels and not pushing it. Just enough anxiety to make me quite uncomfortable but not enough where it is unbearable helped keep me going. After a few weeks I started getting the hang of it and my brain adjusted to these huge changes in the way I’ve handled my OCD. Knowing that it gets easier also kept me going. Sending you so much positive energy and encouragement!! You’ve got this!
- Date posted
- 7y
Yes i started feeling a lot better after a month and a half or so; you’ll gain better control over everything at your own pace though so don’t become overly concerned with timelines if you can:)
- Date posted
- 7y
That’s awesome, so happy to hear that. Do you have Pure O as well? Sorry for all the questions, just really nice to connect with someone!
- Date posted
- 7y
I have pure o as well as a mix of other types haha, my OCD is kinda all over the place. I definitely relate to the constant thoughts! Don’t apologise, i’m happy to connect with someone as well ^_^
- Date posted
- 7y
Thank you both, your comments mean a lot xoxo!
- Date posted
- 7y
That means it’s working. It’s yer brain throwing a fit so more spikes are gonna happen for awhile. Keep it up
- Date posted
- 7y
Thank you!!! Did any of you notice terrible foggy head symptoms as well? I think my brain is exhausted from doing exposures.
- Date posted
- 7y
I had the same thing happen when i started ERP; I asked my psychologist about it and she explained that this is really common. Basically everything can get a little worse because you’re challenging your OCD, which you may never have done before so it makes your OCD “freak out” so to speak. It kinda sends everything up in the air for a bit before it settles down again. Hopefully it doesn’t last too long- just push through and it’ll get easier the more you practice and do the homework ^_^
- Date posted
- 7y
@KL Yes! I think that is exactly what it is. So much emotional strain and tolerance building. It is so physically and mentally draining. I noticed after a little while the fogginess faded.
- Date posted
- 7y
Thank you!!!
Related posts
- Date posted
- 25w
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 ❤️
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 21w
I was just thinking about how OCD tries to be tricky and switches themes on us!! The amount of times I have said to myself in the past, IF ONLY I HAD THE OLDER THEME I USE TO WORRY ABOUT BECAUSE THIS NEW ONE IS SO MUCH WORSE!!! Has anyone ever experienced this before? Once I started ERP therapy, I began to really start understanding what mental/physical compulsions I was doing to really keep my OCD alive! While I did this, I would also tap into my self-compassion bucket, even when it felt like it was dry at times, because it was SO easy to judge myself for because of the sheer presence of my thoughts. I would also have the most self-compassion for myself for those taboo intrusive thoughts that really felt so strong, ego-dystonic and real!!! My OCD would hop around from theme to theme and just when I thought I figured it out (compulsion) it would hop again and make me discouraged! I noticed for me that once I really understood my compulsions, it didn't matter when the theme switched as I could tackle it at its core. If I was able to stay steadfast and resist compulsions the best I could, I started to notice that my CONFIDENCE increased in the long run! I also noticed that some of the core fears were the same for different OCD subtypes. OCD treatment is hard BUT living with OCD is harder. I have experienced subtypes including Harm OCD, ROCD, Moral Scrupulosity, Sensorimotor, Contamination, Perfectionism/Just Right, Hit and Run, Magical Thinking, Real Event/False Memory. ERP therapy allowed me to really work on stopping these compulsions and switching from theme to theme. I was fed up with what OCD took from me and I needed to do something about it. I talked to an ERP therapist and it was one of the best decisions of my life. If you are struggling, keep pushing and get the help you deserve!! You got this!!!
- Date posted
- 12w
I read about ERP and have seen information about it on here. One of the goals is to say, "maybe I am this or that...ect." That terrified me. The thoughts and images that go in my head are disturbing and upsetting. I don't want to even think about saying, "maybe this or that." It's devasting to have these thoughts and question why you're having these thoughts. Doesn't the "maybe" make it worse? The one thing that helps me is that is to remind myself that these are just thoughts and I know I'm not a monster, even if I feel like one. Is ERP not for everyone? Has anyone else had a problem with the techniques used in this kind of therapy? I had cognitive therapy for years with an OCD specialist and that seemed to help a lot. Writing out the worst case scenarios would make me suicidal. Im having a difficult time not obsessing over the "maybe" after intrusive thoughts now. It doesn't make it better.
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