ERP is hard

I’ve been doing ERP for about two weeks now, and it hasn’t been easy. It’s been really uncomfortable at times. But what’s helped me most is my mindset. I’m almost 40, and I’ve been dealing with OCD for about 33 years. I’m just ready to leave it in the past. I’m done letting it run my life. I have a daughter, and I don’t want her to grow up seeing me controlled by it. I want to take control back. What’s helping me in ERP is telling myself, “No.” I’m letting the thoughts sit there instead of trying to fix them or reassure myself. That’s been hard, especially with habits I’ve built over years. The way I see ERP is like a mechanical pencil without lead you can try to write, but nothing sticks. ERP is the lead. It actually lets you move forward. I’ve found some hope in letting the uncomfortable thoughts and feelings just exist. When I do that, they start to lose their power. OCD always trapped me in “what if” thinking and uncertainty, and it’s exhausting. I’m tired of living like that. I think one of the biggest supports I have right now is myself making the decision to get better and stick with it. Saying no to OCD is something I should’ve been doing all along. Now I’m finally learning how to rewire my brain, and ERP feels like the right path. I’ll also say that being sober for the past four years has helped a lot. It’s given me a clearer mind and a better foundation to do this work. It’s definitely a challenge, but keep going. If you’re putting in the work with ERP and you really want to get better, I believe you can. It takes patience and consistency, but it’s possible. I also believe OCD can develop at any age. Personally, I don’t see it as just a chemical imbalance if it even is. I think, for me, it’s been more like my brain getting stuck in fight-or-flight mode, trying to keep me safe. Over time especially starting young those reactions turn into routines and habits, and they really stick. Then we have to put in the work to break those patterns and retrain our brain. That’s why ERP has been so important for me it’s helping me unlearn those habits and respond differently. retraining, my brain.

It looks different for everyone! I’m a little over a year in and still have really hard exposures but that’s why you start slow and low. But the more you practice, the more real life will feel less scary and you can reduce compulsions in your everyday life and live your life despite the noise. But I do still sometimes have really hard days. I can’t tell you exactly what your own journey will look like but try to give yourself compassion and grace along the way!

hi !! i’ve been doing erp for 3 weeks i believe , it is so hard and i understand where your coming from. there’s light at the end of the tunnel

I find it difficult to not chase and simply let pass. I’ve almost slipped into panic attacks during any ERP activity.

I just started transitioning into ERP as well. It’s hard for sure and I’ve definitely slipped up. We got this!! We are all in this together. 😊