Anyone else feel like just going over the education of and examples of ERP with their therapist is a trigger in itself? Just talking about getting to my level 10 triggers eventually sent me into a spiral and I didnāt expect to get so anxious and emotional before I even made my fear/response list
Therapy was just a huge trigger for me. I felt completely blown with anxiety every time. Agh. But I did push through anyway. Just keep going that's all I can say. Its worth it. š
@Clairenz Iām realizing I may need to give myself a lot more patience and time for my homework assignments than I thought. Iām always very okay let me get it done now and quick once I know WHAT Iām supposed to do. But my thoughts keep jumping in and saying what if what if what if and Iām so scared of losing my compulsions bc I really do feel like Iāll be unprotected completely if I stop them. I know thatās feeding the cycle itās just a lot harder than I thought. Iām gonna keep chugging along
@kweerstin Chugging along is a good plan!! š it's been up and down for me and it's taken a while and honestly now for the first time ever I understand erp. It's been life changing. But it took a while and I hated every single therapy session. for the first time in my life I am in recovery and ocd still tugs at me... . But I can handle it now. it was sooo much harder before when ocd called the shots.
@Clairenz Thatās so encouraging to hear bc right now itās running mine and RUINING it.
@kweerstin Yep ocd is good at that. I had terrible rocd and kept breaking up with my spouse. Came close to completely ruining my life. š
@Clairenz I also have ROCD and my obsession is theyāre cheating on me or will unless I constantly ask reassurance or check over theyāre shoulder at theyāre phone and other really shitty things while theyāre trying their best to show me they love me. Itās tearing my life apart. So Iām determined to keep showing up and doing the work itās just hard
@kweerstin There's a webinar today in less than an hour for rocd. Have you seen the info?
@Clairenz No I havenāt!
When relationship OCD (ROCD) turns your connection into a source of constant doubt and panic, it can be overwhelming for both partnersābut it doesnāt have to stay that way. This Thursday, October 16 at 4 PM CT / 5 PM ET, we're hosting a free workshop on navigating ROCD for anyone hoping to build healthier relationships. You can join solo or with a partner to learn from Haley Jakobson, an author who writes about love and has struggled with ROCD, and NOCD Therapist and Chief Compliance Officer Tracie Ibrahim. Haley will share how ROCD nearly cost her the best relationship she's ever had, and how evidence-based treatment changed everything. Tracie and Haley will also talk about how OCD latches onto relationships, how specialized therapy can help rebuild trust and intimacy, and how couples can support each other without feeding OCD. A 30-minute live Q&A will follow, where youāll have the chance to ask Haley and Tracie your questions. This workshop will be recorded, and a recording will be sent to everyone who registers for the event. Please note, Haley is not a mental health professional and will be speaking from her lived experience. https://nocd.zoom.us/webinar/register/4117583006440/WN_tZr64gSwSAOsEpyPztyjhw
Yes!
(21+ ONLY: TRIGGER WARNING) I have therapy today and Iām nervous. I just started going to therapy and I really like my therapist. She talked to me about doing ERP and Iām really nervous about it. Iām scared to tell her the extent of my OCD, and my themes. Iām scared to tell her about my false memory OCD, because Iām scared that what I did was real and Iām just excusing it as false memory, although I have no memory of it. Iām scared that I am truly a monster and Iām using OCD as an excuseāand that sheāll find out and distance herself. Iām just scared that my whole world is gonna fall apart, all around me.
One problem - Various themes This is my first post. I had a relapse a few months ago. Life was amazing and then boom, I got triggered by something and started spiralling about my sexuality (having finally been at peace for two years, entered a healthy new relationship and come out of the closet as an older women). How do you, when you're not triggered practice ERP? I'm able to try and accept the thoughts every time I see a man. What should I be doing when I don't encounter these triggers. I was to say as well that I also am starting to get real event OCD about some of the sexual things I did in the past when I was married and in an unhealthy toxic relationship with my ex husband. I am shamed and disgusted and I'm working on it but there's a certain subsection of the LGBTQ community that trigger these thoughts, groinals and thing for me... I feel like I'm beginning to realise I need to maybe be a little more active in my recovery instead of waiting for triggers... But I don't know how
Iām 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. Iām not sure what I should doš„²
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
