Bullying masquerading as OCD exposure therapy

I have people in my life pretending to be therapists and psychiatrists constantly exposing me to triggering things as some horribly toxic idea of exposure therapy. It’s actually been extremely abusive and has resulted in me developing more triggers. I’ve become completely isolated and they chalk it up to me being “too fearful”. My triggers come from SA trauma and physical abuse. The idea that anyone could play around with someone else’s mind like pretend health professionals is awful. You wouldn’t pretend to be a surgeon, don’t pretend to be therapist either. Let the doctors handle medical care and apply exposure therapy the correct way instead of screwing with ppls mental health. I have actual health professionals that I’m working with that aren’t prescribing any of these methods and they’ve been a dream. That being said this is not okay. Purposely triggering people is not okay. They don’t have the right or the knowledge required to give fake healthcare. Your friends are not your therapy and shouldn’t be playing with this.

Viny

Date posted: 45w

That's something I'm fearful too. I'm sure I'm making erp wrong in a way like making the exposure so strong I end up triggering myself. But have another person do this seems just too sick

Zoë_84

Date posted: 45w

@Viny Well, teaming up with a friend to do ERP is not a bad thing, but it's important, that the person who suffers from OCD calls the shots and the friend is only there for moral support. @Doing ERP wrongly: ERP should be triggering, as intrusions have to pop up in order for you to practice refraining from doing compulsions. Where I come from ERP therapists loved starting with triggers that at least got my fears to an 8/10, but that never worked for me. When I started online therapy with a US and later Canada based ERP therapist, we started with triggers that got my fears to a 1/10 gratually increasing the fear, but only when I was comfortable with it. I had to make a trigger list and add the level of fear (1-10) those triggers will very likely cause next to it. Maybe you can identify some triggers you'd label with causing 1/10 fear and start ERP with exposure to them? There's also the distinction between in vivo and in sensu. The ERP therapy with my US therapist began with in sensu exposures.

Zoë_84

Date posted: 45w

That's absolutely horrible! I hate, when people in my life tried to for exposures on to me. I told them point blanc, that I and I alone decide, if and if yes how and when I expose myself to triggers.

joshuastone

Date posted: 45w

I'm so sorry you're going through this. It sounds incredibly distressing and invalidating, especially given the nature of your past traumas. I hear you, and you're absolutely right—exposure therapy, when done correctly, is a careful and compassionate process, carried out by trained professionals who understand the complexities of trauma and mental health. It's not something that should be attempted by those without the proper expertise and understanding. I'm glad to hear you have actual health professionals who are supporting you in a way that feels safe and respectful. You deserve that kind of care. Have you been able to communicate to those around you how their actions are impacting you? Sometimes it can be helpful to set clear boundaries with those who might not understand the harm they’re causing. Remember, you have the right to protect your mental health and well-being. Please continue to lean on your professional support system and perhaps share with them what’s been happening. They might be able to offer guidance on how to navigate these tricky interpersonal dynamics. You are incredibly strong for recognizing what you need and advocating for yourself. Keep holding onto that strength.

Becoming Whole

Date posted: 17w

OCD Is Telling Me I’m Being Harmed

I had blood work done for a test I was having a couple weeks ago. The phlebotomist hit my vein weird, my arm bled a lot, but eventually stopped. My arm is still sore several days later. The following week I had my bronchoscopy. The nurse used the same arm that was already sore to put in the IV for the meds. My arm started hurting, swelling and burning. I told her it hurt really bad but she ignored me; then I was out. It’s been a week and my arm still hurts, and my veins are tight and hard. Couple that with the white stuff all over my face, that nobody from the care team bothered to wipe off- which I didn’t know about until my husband asked me what it was, I got harm from my OCD! At first I chalked it up to the white stuff on my face was bad bedside manners. Now, I keep thinking that my doctors and everyone associated with the clinics are trying to harm me. This morning I had an incident with the fryer oven while toasting my bagel. I asked my husband about it and he says he didn’t notice anything. I was down to the last few bites of my bagel, and suddenly started feeling loopy. I spit it out and threw the rest away. After sitting awhile thinking of the doctors and phlebotomist etc… it dawned on me that it was my OCD telling me people were trying to harm me. I don’t know how to get over the fact that my arm hurts really bad and my doctor completely ignores my health concerns. I’ve been nauseous for the past two weeks or so - there is definitely something wrong! I think when they find out that you have OCD and/or Anxiety, they treat you differently, as if you’re making up the symptoms. I most certainly haven’t felt heard! My husband always says, what’s wrong now? It’s such a horrible feeling to hear him say that. Is this what you call Harm? Or is it associated with Harm? I’m not sure if this is triggering or not. I hope not.

Jinxx.4444

Date posted: 17w

Triggers

My boyfriend keeps triggering my intrusive thoughts on purpose to mess with me. I've explained how bad they are to him before but i guess he just doesn't get it. He finds it funny when I have such a visceral reaction to him reminding me of them. I hope it doesn't sound too silly but body horror really freaks me out and this one image haunts me so bad when I remember it and he knows that, I trusted him with that knowledge but he loves to just yell out what it is to mess with my head. Now it'll flow in and out of my head for days and I'm gonna have trouble sleeping tonight. Usually distraction works but this one is particularly strong. Does anyone have any good coping skills or tips for going to sleep when it keeps haunting you?

Love1another<3

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 6w

Beware of Talk Therapy/ CBT

These treatments are not designed for OCD sufferers because they treat OCD like a logic disorder when OCD is very far from that. Hence why, many patients do not recover with these treatments. ⭐️ Talk therapy involves doing a lot of compulsions like rumination, reassurance-seeking, trying to figure out your thoughts, Etc. ⭐️ Similarly, standard ICBT also involves compulsions such as arguing with your thoughts. For example, if you have POCD, your therapist might say “you know you’re not p*do so just ignore the thoughts.” This is reassurance and can turn into another compulsion called thought-blocking. ‼️A reputable therapist here (Tracie Ibrahim) has told us in a support group that ICBT isn’t even evidence-based (even though people claim that it is) ⭐️ Beware of Instagram “coaches” who want your money and say they specialize in a very specific subtype of OCD (ex. relationship OCD). A good ERP therapist would know that all OCD subtypes are treated the same way so the subtype shouldn’t matter. An ERP therapist should be knowledgeable in all of them because all OCD is just OCD. One of the only things that may differ is the type of exposures you have to do. ⭐️ Also, I suggest you do not use drugs & alcohol as a crutch. You will struggle with your OCD without those, which can possibly lead to addictions. Those substances can even increase your OCD symptoms. ❤️ What I do recommend for OCD recovery: ERP therapy, behavioral activation, ACT, mindfulness, self-compassion, OCD community support, healthy distractions, bonding time with family and friends, and healthy lifestyle habits. These habits include healthy eating (try to stay away from processed foods), going out on nature walks, consistent sleep, and consistent exercise. Let me know in the comments below if you have any extra tips for what’s been helping you through your OCD journey👇

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Bullying masquerading as OCD exposure therapy

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