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
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?
After almost 2 decades of struggling with Pure OCD that was all-consuming, all day, every day, I'm finally in a spot where I can effectively manage this disorder. A big way I did this was realizing that compulsions NEVER help and they are NEVER the answer. It might feel like it's helping in the moment, but you're just giving power to the OCD and it WILL come back stronger. Sometimes (especially with Pure O), it can be hard to even tell if you're doing a compulsion. If you're not sure and think there is even a possibility that it could be, try to stop doing that immediately. The better you get at noticing your compulsions and stopping them quickly the better off you'll be in the long-term. It's definitely a tough and bumpy road, but if I was able to get there I'm sure anyone can. Just stick with it and it gets way easier.
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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