User type: Therapist

Date posted: 20w

Motivation

What is motivating you to keep pushing in treatment or to take the first step to start ERP treatment? For my OCD treatment, I wanted to feel more present in what I was doing and I wanted to live a life that aligned to what was important to me. I love to golf, fish, be out nature, walk my dogs, read, listen to music, and eat some good food! When I was in ERP treatment, I made sure to align my treatment to my values! I would construct exposures that were valued based which really motivated me to keep go towards my goals! What is your motivation?

GoDownSwinging

Date posted: 20w

I’ve beaten OCD before and I can do it again. OCD is trying to tell me this one is different, but I know that’s its trick. I’m trying to do my best to just trust the process again.

Dreamydream

Date posted: 20w

@GoDownSwinging Love this! Same exact thing with me

Anonymous

Date posted: 18w

I have HOCD (intrusive images & thoughts) I keep going because one day I want my partner and I to have a baby. Right now HOCD has stopped me from continuing on my journey to becoming a mommy but I’ll keep fighting no matter what.

Crook

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 20w

The same as you, I really just want to be more present. Were you able to find this with ERP?

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 20w

Yes, I was able to find this with ERP! I feel more present because my brain is not constantly firing off the false alarms about xyz. I am able to sit with uncertainty and tolerating distress which counterintuitively habituates faster when we don't push these away. ERP allows me to spend less time compulsing and more time focusing on everyday things. Sometimes I get pulled in but I use my skills and don't resist! You got this!!

OCDWarr1or

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 20w

I wanted to be an example to my children. I wanted them to see someone take on healing myself and living the best life I can. The reality is, they may end up with, and because I went ahead on the journey, their experience with the disorder will be different. They won't suffer for almost two decades before learning about the proper treatment. ❤️

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 20w

Love this!! I DEFINITELY understand the suffering for almost 2 decades. I didn't get the right help for about 15 years. I have a child and they may experience it as well but like you said, there road to recovery will start a lot sooner than mine! You are a warrior, keep up the great work!!!

Anonymous

Date posted: 20w

I want to be there in the moment for my family and to enjoy the things I usually do. Not allowing OCD to control my life is pushing me to start my ERP therapy!

JimWithJam

Date posted: 19w

I’m young and have dreams and aspirations - don’t want them to fall victim to this.

Bun2.0

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 20w

Originally I started ERP because it was effecting my relationship and I wanted to heal that, now that handling my ROCD kicked off it became about being more present in my life and knowing I needed to be able to handle uncertainty to have a fulfilling life

RadiantlyRed...

Date posted: 20w

By the end of this year, I’m going to be a wife. My fiance and I have talked about having children, we both want to be parents. When I don’t have the energy to improve for myself, I work to improve for them.

WitchyW00ds

Date posted: 18w

The hope that one day I can let me shoulders relax and take a deep breath and GENUINELY believe it will be ok

HunterB

Date posted: 17w

My husband and son. I want our house to feel like a home. Our relationships to be a warm, safe place to land. I want us all to feel free from rigidity and rules that probably don’t serve their intended purpose.

Anonymous

Date posted: 17w

I want to feel like I did before. Just like being out of shape physically. Just need to exercise the mind with good habits.

Becoming Whole

Date posted: 17w

I want to be better. I want to accept invites without hesitation and making excuses why I can’t be there. I do however explain my OCD to the person who has invited me. I used to hide it but now I’m open. Many don’t understand- they think it’s all about cleanliness and it’s hard to explain to them that it’s more, it’s broader than that. Perhaps one day they’ll get it! So for now I’ll stay with the community because I’m still on the fence about ERP. Reasons: I’d be watching tv or playing a relaxing game and some horrific commercial would come on tv. I’m itching just thinking about it. Or an horrific ad will show up while playing a very relaxing game. Still itching… I can’t imagine being exposed to some of that stuff. Oh my! Too much! Just thinking about it is too much!

Jeffrey M

Date posted: 17w

My family

Anonymous

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 17w

I started ERP about 1 month ago. God is helping me to confront my fears and my Therapist has been a great guide for me to understand how to deal with ocd lies. My Wife and children’s are my motivation to keep going with my healing and restoration. One day at a time. I appreciate NOCD for the support.

lhohertz

Date posted: 14w

I want to get back to living life like I used too !! Enjoying my wife and my family and friends! And enjoying going places and going camping and all of the things that I used to love to do !!

Jennifer Dal...

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 25w

Let’s talk about Therapy

So you got to ask me anything… Now I’d like to ask you something! I’ve heard from Members that they were so scared coming to their first ERP session. They were terrified that I would think they were crazy, that I would tell them their worst fears were true. That I would confirm they are some form of a terrible person or have them hauled off to prison for their thoughts. I’ve also had Members share how they’re very scared to begin ERP treatment because they’ve researched enough to know it means facing the fear, without the compulsions that have kept them feeling safe (but not really safe) this entire time. They struggled to see how they could be capable of doing this, while simultaneously acknowledging that they did not want to live like this anymore. If you have had your first session, what were your thoughts before? Did you have any hesitations or fears going into it? How did it turn out? If you haven’t yet begun to work with an ERP specialist, what is holding you back?

WorryBrain

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 22w

What are you waiting for….

My struggles with OCD began in childhood, but it wasn’t until after giving birth to my first child at 30 that I finally received a diagnosis. For years, I suffered in silence with intense anxiety, insomnia, and intrusive thoughts, but because my compulsions were mostly mental—constant rumination, reassurance-seeking, and avoidance—I didn’t realize I had OCD. I experienced Pure O, where my mind would latch onto terrifying thoughts, convincing me something was deeply wrong with me. After my son was born, I was consumed by intrusive fears of harming him, even though I loved him more than anything. Seven weeks into postpartum, I hit a breaking point and ended up in the emergency room, where I was finally diagnosed. For the first time, everything made sense. I didn’t discover exposure and response prevention (ERP) until years later when my son developed Germ OCD during COVID. I went through the program myself first, and it completely changed my life. ERP helped me sit with my intrusive thoughts instead of reacting to them, breaking the cycle that had controlled me for so long. Life isn’t perfect, but it’s so much better than before. I can finally be present instead of trapped in my head. Now, I’m working on trusting myself more and handling challenges without fear of “losing control.” As I prepare to help my daughter start therapy, I feel empowered knowing I’m giving my children the support I never had. If you know you have OCD but haven’t started therapy yet, what’s holding you back?

"Pure" OCD

Patrick McGrath

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 20w

What's been the biggest surprise from ERP?

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) isn't always easy, but as one of the most effective treatments for OCD, it's worth it. If you've started ERP, what has been the biggest surprise you've experienced in learning to resist compulsions? If you haven't started ERP yet, what is holding you back from starting?

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