Let me be honest.

I think you’re right but also wrong. For some it can definitely make things worse but for others the sense of community helps a lot. A big part of my OCD recovery was helping offer advice to others and seeing how it feels from an outside perspective.

Agree 100% it became a compulsion for me to try and find people with similar stories to mine or similar situations and if I could find any it fueled my ocd even more and just left me worse off. At the start when I was using it it was pretty productive I was learning more and seeing other people’s stories but now it’s become that when I turn on my phone I dread opening the app because I feel like I’ll be triggered

yes i agree

Couldn’t find any*

I think this app could be helpful, or triggering, depending on how you interact with it. I do see a lot of people who confess or post multiple times. It can be difficult to navigate this forum if you’re addressing your own triggers. I personally find this app as a helpful tool to feel connected to a community when I am struggling with my OCD. It makes me feel less alone. But, I have used it compulsively too. I’ve taken breaks from reading the posts when I needed to. But I do want to say this app is a wonderful connection tool to your therapist, when you start therapy. I’ve been in therapy with NOCD for almost 3 years. Through the app, from a therapy side, you will see and go to your virtual appointments, you can message your therapists, and there’s an SOS feature for when you could use a little reminder when you’re struggling (though this may be a public function, I’m not sure). You’ll also have access to support groups when you start therapy. You can also connect with member advocates too. There’s also a sort feature on the app, to only see posts from those in therapy. This is a helpful filter I’ve used to see less reassuring content. I hope your experience on the app doesn’t derail you from finding a specialist. ERP therapy overall has made my life so much better. If you have any questions, im happy to answer them.

Hi Derrick, Everyone has such great insight. First thanks for being honest, I just want to say that it's totally okay to feel like the app might be triggering, but consider using it as an opportunity to expose yourself to your fears and practice sitting with the distress. If you're using the app to seek reassurance for whatever OCD is telling you, it might be worth considering deleting it. Anything can be triggering, but it's how we handle those triggers that really matters. I'm glad you're taking the step to meet with a specialist. Were you able to connect with one?

I think these posts can be triggering, but look at that as a way to expose yourself. By exposing ourselves to triggers we face our fears so that we may better overcome them. Beyond that, it's nice to know we have support and that there are more folks out there like us dealing with the same stuff. In conclusion, though I understand your perspective, I actually think this app is the opposite of counterproductive.

Hi Derrickk, you make good points. This is a public forum and such posts are inevitable. IT sounds like you have been reding quite a bit. However, I hope you won't pass up the opportunity to see a specialist. There re free support groups concurrent with therapy and specific videos that address OCD without the clutter you mention above. Check us out here: treatmyocd.com and let me know if I can help.

Therapist chiming in! Connecting with others who are experiencing similar symptoms can be a valuable source of support. People can openly share their experiences, which can help them realize they are not alone in their struggles. I understand that seeing other people's posts about their experiences might trigger your symptoms, especially if you need treatment. However, this exposure (see other people's post) can also serve as a part of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, our treatment for OCD. As you receive care for your OCD symptoms, you may find that you become less reactive to these triggers.

theres one girl on here in particular that posts for reassurance at least 5-10 times a day. constantly, and she wonders why she isnt getting any better. so yes i agree. people are not using it correctly.

Maybe but do dr really have to heal you? If you think they do then you have alot to learn.