A few hours ago I had my first ERP session and I am currently feeling nauseous and nervous at the same time. Right after my first exposure I wanted to quit right then and there, but I know I cannot. Does anyone have any tips for sitting with this level of discomfort? Anything is appreciated. Thanks! :-)
Hi. I just started in December. I think that it’s good to sit with the discomfort, while still doing your activities of daily living. I like the suggestions above and also anything you like. But don’t block your thoughts. Continue to sit with the discomfort. I also think that ERP is the hardest most scariest thing in the world. But I’m already seeing great results and my assessment scores have gone down!!! Good luck!!!
@HRG Thank you so much. You’re right, it’s super scary. I have to keep on moving through. Thank you for the inspiration. I look forward to making make the same progress you did!
Value based activities help me a lot!:) for me that’s watching comfort YouTubers, reading, taking a walk, doing school work, talking with a friend, or doing yoga :)
@KhloehasOCD May I ask who your comfort YouTubers are? I’m trying to find new comfort content
@ElusiveButterfly I really like Smosh pit, they’re a comedy YouTube channel. Brittany broski is very funny, and then if u like mystery stuff I recommend Wendigoon, The Lore Lodge, and Watcher !:)
@KhloehasOCD I love Brittany Broski and Smosh pit!! I’ll check out the others 💖 thanks for your response friend!
That’s a good idea! I have some legos at home I could do. I went to visit a friend at her job and get some dinner (she’s a hostess), but I’m sitting here finding it difficult to mask the anxiety and nausea. But, I knew I needed to do something rather than sit in my bed and mope. I appreciate your comment back. Thank you ❤️
The only way to get over the discomfort is to sit through the discomfort. As awful as it sounds, just know you are not alone in those feelings. I just started back up ERP after 20 years and it’s certainly challenging. We are definitely more resilient than we give ourselves credit for. You are right where you need to be and I’m proud of you for not giving up even when it feels overwhelming. Us OCDers are in this together!
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?
I’m starting NOCD. I had several years of cbt as a child (well over 20 years ago) and I see a trauma therapist. But now I’ll be seeking further help for OCD and just really scared. CBT wasn’t helpful for me. How has ERP been helpful for you? Do you feel like you’ll finally get your life back? I’m consumed by my obsessions 😢 Would love others feedback if ERP helped you ❤️
I find while doing exposures, rarely does my anxiety lessen. It usually amps up and stays that way for the remainder of the day. I could be having a fairly decent day, but dutifully do my exposures and then the rest of my day is anxiety filled. I guess that’s just how it is now? Also, I’m wondering if my therapist even believes I have OCD. I totally understand my therapist cannot provide reassurance. But it’s to the point it seems my therapist acts like I actually did the thing I fear. I feel so isolated.
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