Does ERP therapy really work?

I’m new to NOCD and im glad im here. I was just diagnosed about a year ago with OCD. I have pieces of several subtypes for reference. I will be starting my therapy in a few days and am thankful because i was struggling to find someone to work with, with my old insurance. I don’t really know much of anything about erp except that its the gold standard and supposed to be great for the treatment of OCD and that it exposes you to the fear and stops you from the compulsion but what if your compulsions are mostly mental? I am just boggled about how this could possibly help me if my compulsions aren’t physical and idek if having that feeling is part of ocd or a regular concern.

Ernesto Franco

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 13h

That's why ERP is the gold standard because it works. It makes us face our fears and shows us that our fears are irrational and thoughts are just thoughts.

Talok

Date posted: 13h

I have been at NOCD for some months working on ERP for mental compulsions. I just viewed them as bad thoughts, but OCD likes to give those thoughts lots of attention. Your therapist should be able to explain it better but basically you break down exposures into many small pieces. For an example I have a compulsion thinking about what if my loved ones died and where that would lead me. One of my lower intensity exposures was reading an article about someone that died. The higher intensity I haven't gotten to yet, but it's writing a scenario myself. So far it has reduced the intensity of my responses to the thoughts. My therapist also showed me a handful of videos by NOCD staff that were very applicable to some of my thoughts. All in all I came into it thinking my thoughts are not OCD but now I'm working on them as OCD in a way that has begun to reduce my distress. I had minor success with other standard therapists. I really do think NOCD offers a great resource. Best of luck with your treatment.

LetaB

Date posted: 13h

@Talok You aren’t concerned that if you see something too graphic in that exposure, that it will become an intrusive image? I’m asking because i struggle with intrusive images on the regular.

Talok

Date posted: 13h

@LetaB Everything happens with your consent and at a pace you manage. My therapist found me exposures that met my criteria of very little at the beginning. I have concerns about certain exposures but discuss them with my therapist and she is accommodating while also encouraging me. My recommendation is just be open about your concerns.

EvanD123

Date posted: 13h

I had a similar feeling about the exercises through my first few months of treatment. I too struggle most with mental compulsions. The key for me has been to allow the thoughts to come up and let them hang out as I stay engaged with my day. You will never be able to come up with the right thoughts to beat OCD, but you can choose to turn your attention back to what actually matters - your life. Side note: keep in mind that it is entirely possible that ERP won’t work for you. OCD wants you to be certain that a treatment will work right away.

LetaB

Date posted: 13h

@Anonymous Ahaha…fair point…tricky little scoundrel it is.

LetaB

Date posted: 13h

@Anonymous Thanks so much for the insight, it’s very helpful.

Alliesun

Date posted: 13h

This therapy is life changing, it truly is. I had a ten year span where I had limited to no OCD symptoms based on my ERPT I did at 20. At 34 I am back in therapy, and I can say it still works! Remember OCD is chronic, and it has hard times and easy times. Good luck on your ERPT journey!

LetaB

Date posted: 13h

@Alliesun Tysm. I’m glad you discovered it early. I was 47yrs old before I found out and I don’t know if that matters and idek if i wanna know because now im glaringly aware of it but such is life and it is what it is i guess…just thinking out loud. It does give me hope with you saying it’s life changing though. I hope i have the same results! 🤞🏼

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