Not Understanding…

I’m two weeks in ERP therapy for Pure O and I feel like I’m not doing it right. I feel like I can’t comprehend what my therapist expects of me during the exposures. Is that normal this early on or should I consider finding a therapist that I understand better? I don’t want to change therapist if it is just a matter of it will click eventually and this is how it starts. I also don’t want to waste time if the problem is that we just don’t communicate well.

Gabbie H

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 4d

Sometimes it does take time to click. But try asking them if they could word it differently.

ElusiveButte...

Date posted: 4d

I was pretty confused starting out. I have only mental compulsions as well and it was difficult for me to understand how exposures work when it’s all “in my head”. Could you maybe share an example of an exposure they had you do that didn’t click (if you’re comfortable)? Maybe we could help explain a little further! I’ll just say I was very skeptical about ERP and felt like I was somehow different from other people with OCD and that it wouldn’t work for me. So far I have seen nothing but progress (with a few speed bumps of course) despite being skeptical!

Anonymous

Date posted: 2d

When it comes to this, it can take some time to find a groove with exposures. When I first started ERP, I kept feeling like it wasn’t working or maybe I wasn’t trying hard enough but in actuality it was just about framing the exposures a little. It was hard for me then but I always say now to tell your therapist when you feel confused or something isn’t working. It can actually lead to a really good conversation and also help you possibly identify the specific fears you’re having that can be used for exposures with both of you exploring exposures to work on together. So, don’t internalize that it feels off. ERP already feels uncomfortable so it can be hard to find a groove with it at first. Be honest with your therapist and see where the conversation leads you

Clairenz

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

I couldn't understand it either. Just tell your therapist. I said to mine I don't get it. What am I supposed to be doing here??

Anonymous

Date posted: 4d

first one was: I was to watch 10 minutes of a podcast that has a moral OCD theme without comparing my symptoms. 1. All the podcast just spoke in general terms about the theme so not much to compare. 2. It was more reassuring than triggering. 3. Was I even listening to what she intended or was I off. Second one was to read psycho educational articles with a moral OCD theme…..I got the same result.

no surrender

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 4d

@Anonymous Yeah sounds like the exposures aren’t making you confront your fear.

ElusiveButte...

Date posted: 3d

@Anonymous I’ve run into the same thing with moral OCD exposures. I eventually had to get comfortable telling my therapist that I didn’t think the exposures would be distressing and asking if we can find something else 😅 A lot of my exposures starting out were simply saying uncertainty statements about different moral things, this honestly helped more than I expected it too.

Anonymous

Date posted: 22h

I had told her a couple times, but finally yesterday she adjusted the language she used and I feel like I have a slightly better understanding. It was perfect timing, this past weekend was the hardest time I had with OCD in probably 20yrs. I couldn’t decide if the anxiety was coming from the obsessions, the fact that I had a house full of people or the therapy….OCD is a tricky little creature! Fun fact, I was diagnosed at 12 (now 49)….I did not know specific treatment (ERP) existed until 3 weeks ago! I can testify that talk therapy, not super helpful for OCD!!!

jerreisstrong

Date posted: 18w

Rough time getting started in therapy

Has anyone else had a rough start? I’m 4 sessions in and have had no actual ERP work happen, I have 2 different therapists because none have availability to meet 2 times a week. Both those therapists are not available for the next 2 weeks so now I’m going to see a new 3rd one. Each time I’ve seen a new therapist I feel like the whole first session is spent with them re explaining everything. I’m paying for this out of pocket because they don’t accept Tricare which is my insurance as a Retired Marine. So I’m 960 in, and honestly feel worse than when I started. I get zero suggestions on what to do between sessions and feel so incomplete after my session finishes. I feel like I’ve gotten more help asking chat gpt questions on EPR and how to deal with ROCD than I do in my sessions . Does anyone have any insight or helpful advice here?

Anonymous

Date posted: 18w

Ocd

Is it normal to think your therapist does not know how to treat ocd? What is a good therapist in ocd?

Anonymous 25#

Date posted: 14w

Anyone?

Hey everyone it’s been a while since I posted on here. Honestly, I try to stay off of this app unless I really need advice because I find it triggering at times. But right now I’m feeling pretty down and just would like some hopeful and helpful advice. Has anyone ever felt like they’re just not capable of getting out of this? Has anyone ever felt like ERP therapy isn’t working or that they just can’t get it’s a click? . I’ve been in ERP therapy for over a year just about a year and a half actually and I literally feel so stagnant and stuck still. I show up every week I do my exposures, but my body is in such a chronic fight or fight all the time that it feels almost impossible to apply the tools. I’m super sensitive to begin with and I feel things very deeply and because of that it feels like I’m not gonna be able to ever change. It feels like no matter what I do or experience I’m just gonna always feel it so deeply and it’s gonna just rattle me all of the time. I’m honestly so frustrated. I’m tired and I’m overwhelmed. I so badly wanna change these patterns that I have and grow and be out of this OCD spiral, but everything just feels impossible. I’m just wondering if I’m alone here?? Has anyone ever felt this way? Has ERP taken a long time for anyone else or am I the only one that just can’t get my brain to click with it? Any encouraging and helpful words would be greatly appreciated thank you 🙏

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