hello, my psychiatrist told me that she thinks i need to either be in a residential specific for OCD or do a virtual IOP. she sent me a list of potential programs. has anyone ever done a virtual IOP before? did it help? they’re really expensive and take up a lot of time, i want to make sure im doing the right thing.
So these are two VERY different things...residential treatment is meant to stabilize and begin treatment. This is for people who's lives have ground to a complete halt...like, out of work, non-functional. Residential is a 24-hour monitored facility, extremely structured environment. An IOP, especially virtual, allows you to still work, and generally function but is still a higher level of therapy than individual 1-to-1 with a therapist/pyschiatrist. They are typically in a group setting for 3-4 hours a day 2-4 times per week. Definitely do what you think is right, but I can't emphasize enough how different these two settings are. And yes, both are very expensive, especially residential which can cost upwards to 120k for a full 30 day stay.
@Anonymous i think IOP would be better for me. she only she sent IOP options anyways. but i think she meant if i wanted to go to a residential that i could. i know what they are, and i have problems leaving home and there are none here. i’m really leaning towards the IOP.
@Hana 🐰 I profusely apologize....I misread your post as if you were contemplating which one to do. I guess I was surprised those were the two options given because they are so drastically different. As with all therapy, you get out what you put in...but I personally found that IOPs are a waste of time. Too much group, not enough focusing on MY issues and general information. To be fair, I started in Residential, was kicked out because I didn't "qualify", was bumped down to a PHP program for 30 days, then moved to an IOP. The PHP helped A TON, but I had to move to a city I didn't like, to live without my family and be in therapy for 8 hours a day 7 days a week...needless to say I broke down a few times....but it helped me get my life back. I apologize again for not answering your specific question and giving you more than you asked for. I know you'll make the best decision for yourself. 😀
@Anonymous it’s ok!! and that’s what i’m scared of i don’t think i could move. but the list i was given are specifically for ocd and seem very patient centered. they’re not like when you’re placed in a group with a bunch of people with different mental illnesses if that makes sense. i’m still trying to learn and figure this out tho
@Hana 🐰 The flexibility of a virtual IOP is it's main selling point. In person IOP I have no info on as I haven't done that. I live in a pretty rural area where it's not offered. Virtual is the only option. If it's OCD specific and you are ONLY in groups with OCD'ers, I mean, that's great! I know IOPs work for some, they just didn't work for me. I would get frustrated with people wanting to share their life story and not keeping the therapy back on track...but I didn't realize this was therapy for THEM. I'm just impatient and want to "get better" as soon as possible...which isn't a thing with OCD, lol. Anyways, you've probably heard enough from me...I'm sure others will chime in and hopefully give you a better idea if an IOP is the best thing for you. I wish you nothing but the best!
I did a virtual IOP and I found it helpful to get through a difficult time but it wasn't super helpful for OCD specifically, if you can afford it I think it's a good way to continue your normal day to day life.
I've been in and out of talk therapy for OCD-related issues for years, but it hasn't been effective long-term. I am struggling with body image / eating disorder adjacent obsessions and I am really hopeful that ERP might actually give me some relief. I had my first session with my NOCD therapist a few weeks ago. It felt like a good match and I was ready to unpack my obsessions and compulsions to try ERP for the first time. The day of my second session she canceled due to personal illness. Then this happened a second time. Yesterday all of my future booked sessions were canceled without explanation. I went to schedule with a new therapist and the ones that seemed could be a good fit are filled up until at least early April. I booked a slot and sent the therapist a message letting her know I would be interested in starting sooner if a slot opened up. I am just disappointed. I could just meet with another therapist who has earlier availability, but it's most important to me that the therapist be a good fit since I've been through therapy so many times. I feel like I'm in limbo until I have an ERP plan set up and I'm not sure how to move forward in the meantime. I'm planning try out a support group but I need a personalized exposure plan and I'm not sure if that's something I should just try to set up myself? Anyone have something similar happen to them? Any thoughts or advice would be helpful.
I went in to a psychiatric hospital 2 days ago for help with OCD and the anxiety relating to it. I did this voluntarily because the anxiety was a lot. I ended up being bunked with drug addicts who talked about violent topics all day and it just made my OCD worse because the staff didn't care at all about anything but the people on drugs. I went in to get help and I feel like I was just treated like a prisoner and none of the people there were knowledgeable of OCD like their website claimed... I just needed to vent. It's been a long 2 days and I'm sick of "professionals" knowing absolutely nothing about OCD and how painful it can be...
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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