I-CBT instead of ERP for "pure-O"?

I've been in ERP since October after my OCD symptoms skyrocketed at the beginning of my pregnancy (currently 31 weeks). My therapist and I have been running into a wall a lot lately because I'm having a VERY hard time doing response prevention as I'm home alone with my 4 year old nearly all day every day, who is a big trigger for me considering my struggles specifically with POCD. So, I find myself doing mental compulsions ALL the time. And I sometimes am not even sure of what I'm doing, even though I've been educated on the topic. Meds are not on the table until after baby comes, and I have no opportunity for outpatient programs in my area. My therapist is trying to give me options so I can be best supported and said if I was interested in trying I-CBT, she could refer me to a therapist who specializes in it. But I've already done so much ground work for ERP, that part of me feels like I'd have to start at square one to do I-CBT. Also, I feel like some tactics conflict one another among the two forms of therapy, which might end up confusing me. I'm not sure what to do at this point. Does anyone have any thoughts? Has anyone benefited more from I-CBT than ERP who struggled with a lot of mental compulsions? Any feedback would be appreciated ❤️

JM93

Date posted: 16h

Firstly, I am so sorry you have gone through this. My OCD kicked in majorly postpartum. I dealt heavily with harm OCD. It was debilitating. I couldn’t function. I couldn’t eat. I was trapped in an endless cycle. My faith has been front and center for my healing. ERP did nothing for me and only made it worse, I -CBT for me personally was life changing. I had an incredible therapist. She helped me change my life. I still get the thoughts around my cycle, but I am night and day different from where I started. POCD can be so horrific and isolating. I’ll be praying for your healing. You are not alone and you are so loved. You are an incredible mom. And you will get through this 💙

JustALittleS...

Date posted: 6h

@JM93 Thank you so much 🥺❤️ I am hitting a wall too as some of the exposures we are running up against make me feel like they don't entirely line up with my values and my faith. That's why I'm almost wondering if I-CBT would be a better fit? I'm not sure. I do like a lot of principles of ERP, like how it teaches to not give so much attention to random thoughts and that they don't have any meaning, inherently. In your experience, does I-CBT have a similar approach at least in that regard? I just am worried about reenforcing my mental compulsions, because those are what I'm struggling with mostly—day in and day out😕

Estrid

Date posted: 3h

@JustALittleStitious I think you should give icbt a try when you have the opportunity. You will never forget the erp principles - but icbt is very different, it will help you with your mental compulsions for sure. Sorry, it wasn't me you were asking...Hope you'll find out how to do.

ocdjourney

Date posted: Yesterday

I personally would look at seeing another ERP therapist. It sounds like this one may not be as experienced in treating mental compulsions. They can absolutely be treated with ERP. I-CBT felt so conflicting to me and felt like it was feeding into the ocd cycle. It was not for me. I have a lot of mental compulsions too. Also 4 months postpartum! I know it’s a difficult time 😢

Trapped

Date posted: 20h

Pregnancy and postpartum have made my OCD almost unbearable. I’m finally dedicating myself to ERP with a new therapist. I loved my previous therapist but we became too relaxed with ERP. I think like the above comment says I-CBT will not be beneficial. It fed into the OCD cycle for me too. You got this!

Estrid

Date posted: 19h

I like ICBT when it comes to some subtypes - I believe that it's important to build trust in our senses and our common sense. I don't like ERP's way of always be in the "maybe, maybe not mood" - in different areas - yes, but not always. Why on earth should I say for example that "maybe I am a p-e - I know who I am.

RayMoe

Date posted: 19h

I'm currently in my 3rd trimester and at the beginning of my ERP journey. I do find that my ERP is easier with my therapist being there, it feels like I cant fully focus when someone is watching me since almost all my compulsions are mental. That's why I practice on my own where I'm more uncomfortable. I think I agree maybe you should switch to a new ERP Therapist that is more familiar with mental compulsions. My therapist gives me specific homework and she's spends most of our sessions learning how my OCD works so I think she can treat my specific compulsions and give tools for how to respond differently or not at all. Goodluck! I believe pregnancy and life changes has brought on my worse OCD Subtype to date. I know it's not easy with the hormones.

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond