Anyone else feel like they just sit there during sessions? Like I can’t wait for it to be over so I don’t have to do this twice a week anymore. I think I’m putting in effort but sometimes feels like a huge waste of time and I’m not making progress but maybe that’s just my ocd?
Yes—so many people feel this way, and you’re definitely not alone. OCD (especially when it’s loud and persistent) has a way of making you feel like nothing is working, like you’re “doing it wrong,” or like the effort you’re putting in is pointless. That is the OCD talking. Doubt is its love language. Therapy—especially ERP—can feel slow, repetitive, uncomfortable, or even boring at times. It’s not always a big “aha!” moment every session. Sometimes it is just sitting there feeling stuck. But sitting with discomfort (even the discomfort of feeling like you’re not making progress) is part of the process. It’s also okay to tell your therapist how you’re feeling. If sessions feel stagnant or like you’re going through the motions, that’s important info. A good therapist can work with that—they won’t judge you, they’ll want to understand where the stuck points are. It might not feel like it now, but just showing up twice a week when you’re feeling all this resistance? That is progress. You’re already doing one of the hardest things: staying in the game even when your brain tells you to quit.
@Vamp DeVille Very well said!! Completely agree with what Vamp DeVille said above ❤️
@Vamp DeVille Did your therapist read off a script? Like for exposures they’re all just whatever the NOCD program has told them.
Definitely not worthless. Maybe try another therapist ? Your therapist has a lot to do with your progress. Mine is amazing and I couldn’t do it without her.
@Anonymous Who is yours?
@Anonymous Maybe your therpist is effective but on the other hand maybe they are not effective ( this is the stuff ocd does not like ) . Sometimes when I’m listening to my therpist my ocd tells me “ your therpist is full of 💩” I was scared of going to therapy when I first started because I had a lot of talk therpist that made me feel worst . But at the end of the day you are in the right spot.As long as your ocd therpist is asking you things that are bothering you and then helping you create exposures around the fears . They are doing A good job . OCD will try to convince you that your therapist sucks or even that you don’t even have OCD. Christmas was a trigger for me , and my therpist would figure ways to expose me to Christmas stuff. Now I would say if I am going to him talking about my fear of Christmas and he starts writing up exposures about contamination that might be a little off . Try and trust the process
@Anonymous Her name is Melanie Diderickson!!
Do you notice progress despite exposures feeling useless in the moment? If so, are you using the RPM? I found that really helped me. Also, realizing part of my OCD was wanting to do the exposure “perfectly”. Like when I started if I zoned out for when a second I thought I was doing it all wrong, the exposure was useless & wanted to give up. Giving myself the acceptance and allowance to do my exposures to the best of my ability instead of “perfectly” got me a lot less stuck. I’m not sure if any of this helps you but that helped me. If not, maybe try a different therapist! NOCD has a lot to choose from!
ERP is not worthless.
Pls don’t give up. It’s so worth it and amazing and works
Can I hear some examples of specific parts of ERP that has helped you? I've been doing talk therapy for a few years and the major issue I have with it is that I already have analyzed all of my problems from every angle, so I'm kind of just sitting there yapping about it for an hour. I need solutions and things that make me feel better.
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.
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
