Date posted: 7y

Is there anyone here currently doing/ or has done ERP for contamination ocd? I am about to start ERP for my severe contamination ocd here in the next few weeks and I’m very reluctant and scared. I’m hoping someone could give me some idea of what is has been like for them and how they feel about ERP? I’m worried that it might not be successful and I’ll be putting myself through all of the stress for nothing. Thanks y’all!

David Lebowitz

Date posted: 7y

I have done ERP for contamination OCD and have improved dramatically. I used to wash my hands until they were so dry they would crack and bleed, had elaborate cleaning rituals, avoided all sorts of perceived contamination etc. I have taken ERP one step at a time and gone gradually and have improved so much. I still wash my hands somewhat more than most people and have some issues with food contamination, but overall my level of distress has decreased so much and my life is so much better.

Becky B.

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 7y

My OCD started with contamination back when I was in elementary school. This was when OCD was just beginning to be researched and it was rare for a child my age to be diagnosed. So, ERP was not really a thing yet but I had a school counselor who I had to see regularly who did something similar to ERP with me. She made me say out loud the things that grossed me out and made me feel like I had to wash my hands. Even when it made me gag, she made me say it out loud and wouldn’t let me run to the bathroom to wash my hands. I hated it at the time and threw some major tantrums because she wouldn’t let me do my compulsion (I was only 7) but it did help me overcome the contamination piece. Obviously, I still have OCD and I struggle with obsessions and compulsions daily but the contamination OCD is not a very big part of my life anymore at all. Now that ERP is actually a type of therapy and is in fact considered the golden standard for OCD treatment, I believe it is probably extremely helpful for people with contamination issues. I hope it will help you in the way that counselor helped me.

AshleyLM

Date posted: 7y

I’m about to start intensive treatment as well and I am terrified. I purchased a book that I heard about on The OCD Stories podcast. It’s called Daring to Challenge OCD by Joan Davidson. It’s about overcoming your fear of treatment. Hope this helps and best wishes to you in your recovery.

Date posted: 7y

Thank y’all so much! That’s is all so encouraging. I am so happy to here that y’all have been successful with this. I hope so much that it will work for me as well!! Thank you all so much

TrustGod24

Date posted: 25w

ERP

I’m thinking about doing erp but my ocd is so severe the thought of accepting my fears happening to me makes me sick to my stomach. I also believe in the power of my words and saying I accept this Bad thing will attract it into my life. I’m not sure what I should do🥲

hbocd

Date posted: 24w

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.

Anonymous 25#

Date posted: 16w

Anyone?

Hey everyone it’s been a while since I posted on here. Honestly, I try to stay off of this app unless I really need advice because I find it triggering at times. But right now I’m feeling pretty down and just would like some hopeful and helpful advice. Has anyone ever felt like they’re just not capable of getting out of this? Has anyone ever felt like ERP therapy isn’t working or that they just can’t get it’s a click? . I’ve been in ERP therapy for over a year just about a year and a half actually and I literally feel so stagnant and stuck still. I show up every week I do my exposures, but my body is in such a chronic fight or fight all the time that it feels almost impossible to apply the tools. I’m super sensitive to begin with and I feel things very deeply and because of that it feels like I’m not gonna be able to ever change. It feels like no matter what I do or experience I’m just gonna always feel it so deeply and it’s gonna just rattle me all of the time. I’m honestly so frustrated. I’m tired and I’m overwhelmed. I so badly wanna change these patterns that I have and grow and be out of this OCD spiral, but everything just feels impossible. I’m just wondering if I’m alone here?? Has anyone ever felt this way? Has ERP taken a long time for anyone else or am I the only one that just can’t get my brain to click with it? Any encouraging and helpful words would be greatly appreciated thank you 🙏

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond

Related posts

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Be a part of the largest OCD Community