ERP Newb

Happy Tuesday friends. Question for you all: I have recently started ERP therapy (about one month ago) and I feel in a way it has helped. But I also notice that I feel the thoughts I do have are SO intense that I feel like I’m gonna explode and then I’ll cry and get upset but then feel better after having a “freak out”. Does this happen to any of you guys? Also, I told my therapist yesterday some of the exposures we had been doing made me uncomfortable. Like really really uncomfortable. She made me feel a little bad about not doing it and stated this would prolong my progress if I didn’t do it. I’m not sure if I should push my self to do this exposure because she told me to or to stick up for myself and move at my own pace. Thanks everyone.

Username: hopefulsunnyhopefulsunny

Date posted: 15w ago

I think it’s normal for thoughts to intensify after doing exposures because you’re purposely interacting with things that are triggering for you. I also feel better after a bit of a breakdown. These past few days I’ve only gotten a sense of true relief after I cry if I’m being honest. As for the exposures you’re not comfortable with, I think you should stick up for yourself. As long as you keep up with the more manageable exposures you’ll make progress and eventually feel up to doing those more difficult exposures. I say this because when I tried moving up too quickly it backfired and I stopped doing exposures all together since it was too triggering.

Username: CorgiLoveCorgiLove

Date posted: 15w ago

@hopefulsunny Thank you!! This therapy journal is such new territory for me. It’s honestly scary, hopeful, hard. All of the above lol. Praying for your relief soon!

Username: Kayla12Kayla12

Date posted: 15w ago

Thank you for sharing your journey in ERP. We are all here to support each other!

Username: ACrumpledWhiskerACrumpledWhi...

Date posted: 14w ago

I'm new in starting ERP, too. We haven't done exposures yet, but I have a feeling it's going to be hard for me, too. Yes, I definitely cry. I don't know of I feel better, that's hard to tell, but I definitely get upset, get a lump in my throat and start crying.

Username: ocdqueenieocdqueenie

Date posted: 2d ago

Hi friend. I am also a newbie and had a similar experience where I felt overwhelmed with the exposures I planned out with my therapist. I expressed this to her and she helped me modify the exposure so that it felt more manageable and gave me the space to see how I do with this one before we add more. Still gotta see how it works out, but she told me that there is always somewhere you can start with an exposure, you may just have to break it down to something smaller and work your way up to it. I'm learning that it takes trial and error and space to explore what works and what doesnt. I hope that helps. 💜

Username: CDub80

Date posted: 25w ago

ERP isn't easy

Does anyone else feel not as triggered during your exposures vs when the intrusive thoughts come up out of nowhere???? I am starting back in on the ERP sessions for my subtypes that hold the most power over me. It is very uncomfortable. Feels so awkward and silly TBH to even entertain these thoughts and yet... HERE I AM! Thanks OCD. I am going go commit to the homework that my therapist has sent and hoping for the noise to quiet down soon

Username: sophis.

Date posted: 22w ago

Treatment - erp

Treatment - ERP Hey so basically I'm just soooo scared to do ERP. I started doing erp with one service and I couldn't cope with our first exposure which was just sitting alone for 20 minutes and accepting intrusive thoughts with no compulsions'. I found this so distressing and hard. I've been moved services and probably will be doing ERP with them but I really don't want to do it. I know it's the gold standard treatment for OCD but it scares me so much knowing I have to do it. I'm scared it will make me way more sick and at this point in my life I cannot afford to be more sick (I'm starting year 13 next month and doing my A-level exams in may) I want to trust that this will work but I'm just very scared. I'm scared that this service will be just as bad as the other one. One of my big fears that we did my hierarchy for with service 1 was around science practicals as that was the only fear that therapist 1. I'm scared that therapist 2 will focus on the same scenario (which is a scenario that I struggle A LOT with) but I can't do that, I'm not sure what my hierarchy will be this time. I can't think of any harm exposures at all but I'm sure she will be able to.

Username: mikeb31978

Date posted: 19w ago

ERP Concerns

How do you go about your life when ERP therapy is so stressful. I have harm ocd and by making me watch horror movies etc . is just making it worse. I'm really worried I'm being brainwashed into being what I dont want to be . Does this mean ERP is not for me? I also have no compulsions just pure O .

"Pure" OCD

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