I have a question concerning ERP. If my problem is compulsively watching videos that makes me anxious because I can’t stop myself (like an urge), or because I have to watch it to see that it’s not that scary and to get over it. If I want to apply ERP, does that mean I have to go on Internet and controlling myself and not click on stuff I dont want to watch, or actually exposing myself to them and watching them so that I get less anxious about them and eventually I won’t obsess over them anymore because they will be like neutral for me. For example now, I am thinking about a video that kinda disturbed me, but I need to remember a specific detail in the video that disturbed me so I Want to watch it again: so should I just NOT watch it because that would be a compulsion or watch it to see that it’s not actually scary and to get over it.

Moonalterego

Date posted: 5y

I used to expose myself to watch it but it would continue endlessly without a rest, everytime I see something that intrigued me I would watch it without resistance till I got enough and decided to not watch anything bothers me anymore. It's not easy at first cause the conpulsion but nowday my mind are at peace.

ha1333

Date posted: 5y

But the videos themselves would give you anxiety no? You didn’t really actually wanted to watch them but you just couldn’t control yourself right? Because what is making this harder for me to stop watching them, is because I attribute them a magical power. It’s like I believe the reason I can’t stop watching them is because the videos have a hypnotizing effect that makes me obsess with them, and not because I have compulsions caused by OCD. Basically, what I am asking is : does attributing a magical power to a video an OCD symptom, or any logical person would also be afraid of a video actually affecting them in that way.

Moonalterego

Date posted: 5y

@ha1333 I don't know exactly traits that including in OCD's symptom, but giving attributes to things is part of obsession, it called false believe, and the attributes that given by OCDs differs from each person. For me I like to atrribute stuff that people are taking as a normal things but I'm considering it as a nasty things without a real reason, and in your case it seems like you're considering some stuff have an ability or magical power. Any logical person are intrigued to watch video out of curiosity, like the're seeking for any information or stuff in the video not because some unrational obsession like what we did.

ha1333

Date posted: 5y

@Moonalterego Thats it. Like i talked to people who dont have OCD about the possibility of a video having this power, and they all said it’s impossible, it’s just something behind your cellphone screen it has no real power other than the power( or importance) that you give it. I guess they have this logical part that I lack I guess because I have OCD and am too anxious of it being actually true.

Moonalterego

Date posted: 5y

@ha1333 Seek for medication or do treatment. My advice, try ERP, at least if you do regularly it could minimalize your symtom, you can find it in this apps.

ocdjourney

Date posted: 5y

It sounds like the compulsion is watching the video, so I would say you should not allow yourself to click on it/watch it and then live in the anxiety of not knowing what the detail is that you can’t remember.

ha1333

Date posted: 5y

It is a compulsion for sure but I am wondering if anyone else were to watch the videos I watched, would they think that the videos have a power to hypnotize them or like to haunt them, or is it because I have this fear of being haunted by something, that I believe the videos have this power.

Estelle_11

Date posted: 19w

What is correct ERP for mental compulsions?

If your mind purposely keeps fetching a repetitive word, and you’re afraid it will never go away, is the ERP therapy to STOP the mind from doing it? Or ALLOW the mind to do it, and not react? Also, is repeating a word in your head a mental compulsion? Or would that be the obsession? So then what’s the compulsion? Posting on here? Lol

Anonimus ME 🦋

Date posted: 17w

Is this a compulsion? I need your help ❤️

I already wrote about this and you really helped me, but now I wondered?! During the erp, I look at a picture of that person with some grimaces that the brain sexualizes, otherwise I have incest ocd! The person is of my gender, I'm not gay otherwise. And then, based on those facial expressions, the brain creates sexual images in my head, which I often feel as sexual and mental arousel. It is enough to see the picture or hear the voice of that person! Based on the pictures it gives me the idea of sexually touching myself on it and climaxing while watching. I feel an urge (I tried something like that a few times ago and now I'm afraid of it), and then the exercise is over, but I stay until I get the answer I want and the feelings that would calm me down, but that happens less and less... Have you had any experience, and is it a compulsion? how can I stay after exercise with that feeling of reality.. Thank you in advance❤️

hbocd

Date posted: 15w

ERP Therapy

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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