It has to be the most frustrating thing in the world. My OCD is mainly about doing physical compulsions in order to make sure that nothing bad happens to myself or my loved ones The really annoying thing is that by doing these compusions a bad thing is already happening because it absolutely dominates my life and stops me from living properly I've tried ERP and it didn't help
ERP will likely work if you dedicate time to it. 6 months in for me and it’s hugely effective. It takes a lot of commitment and dedication.
ERP isnt a one time thing. Its a lifetime commitment. Everyday until youre able to respond to the thoughts correctly.
I sometimes have days where I'm super productive as in I'm up early, I get straight outdoors into the fresh air, I go for a run or to the gym. I find these things help and make me feel a bit better I've just started to apply for jobs after having a long while off due to the ocd. I feel proud of myself for doing this and although I feel nervous about going back to work I feel it's a step in the right direction to beating the OCD Would you say that these actions are part of erp?
ERP is anything you do that allows you to confront your obsessions and NOT respond with your typical compulsions to seek relief. So, by living life and not giving into the desperate need to do a compulsion, that is ERP.
ERP is an every day thing. Also, it doesn’t mean you won’t have bad days. Recovery isn’t linear too. Medication along with ERP is a the best combo to fight OCD
ERP has to be done over over and over, it does not work immediately, and it also is rendered ineffective it you turn around and do compulsions. ERP PLUS stopping compulsions is how you beat OCD, and in some cases, medication is necessary to fully make it stop.
Do any of you guys that have commented believe that it could well of been going to talk therapy that has triggered the OCD response in me? Prior to going to talk therapy I had no signs of OCD whatsoever other than some occasional overthinking just like any person. I went talk therapy due to continuous pressure from my mother and this is when I allowed all of my intrusive thoughts and previous trauma come to the front of my mind and began over anylysing every little thing in my life. This is when I began doing physical compusions and began over ruminating and feeling like I needed the answer for every question
I started dealing with OCD when I became fixated on health issues, particularly the fear of contracting a life-threatening disease. If I experienced any kind of medical symptom, no matter how small, that even remotely hinted at something potentially fatal, it would drive me crazy, and I couldn’t stop obsessing over it. Then one day, I started having intrusive thoughts about accidentally hitting someone with my car, and I would end up driving in circles to check if I had. Eventually, I found myself overwhelmed by a flood of new obsessive thoughts and compulsions. One day, while I was at the park, a squirrel came near me, and for some reason, I felt like it attacked me. I Googled it and learned that squirrels could carry rabies, which spiraled me into a deep fear of rabies. I became consumed with the thought I received a bite from a squirrel, raccoon, or bat any time I’m in areas that trigger me. It started off only being inside then transferred to even being in my own home. This made me obsess over every physical sensation in my body, compulsively checking to make sure nothing was wrong. One compulsion that I hated the most would to be putting rubbing alcohol on me to make sure that I had no open wounds. Every day feels like I’m walking around in a fog of anxiety, constantly worrying that I won’t even make it to old age. Sometimes, it gets so overwhelming that I just want it all to end. It stresses me so bad at times to where my brain feels like I’ve been studying all day.
OCD isn’t just about compulsions—it’s a mental battle that can be completely exhausting. The anxiety, doubt, and pressure to "get it right" can feel unbearable, especially when others don’t understand what’s happening beneath the surface. What’s the hardest part about living with OCD that others don’t see?
i don’t want to do my compulsions. I feel like if I don’t somebody will get hurt, sick or die. It’s a very scary thought to feel like if I don’t do my compulsions it will be my fault even though it isn’t & nor will it happen. I know it’s magical thinking & my thoughts are not true nor will they come true. it’s just im so tired of doing these compulsions. im so tired of feeling like I can stop something bad happening if I don’t step on this or touch this 4 times. it even got me believing that if I do something I want to do & love, something bad will happen. I just want to be able to live & feel like I use to. I hate ocd. how can I calm this down so I can be able to navigate in my own life?
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