- Date posted
- 5y
- Date posted
- 5y
I have pocd as well and I work in cosmetics, so something I’ve challenged myself to do is put lipgloss on one little kid a day no matter how anxious it makes me and no matter how much I want to run away from them and it’s been getting easier and easier to do. Also, if any friends or family know about your triggers bringing someone with you when you start practicing ERP helps a lot, my mom has been coming my to my work and we go and walk around Claire’s every day and sit by a kids play area every day for at least 15 minutes. The first week of doing all these things was hell but it’s been much more manageable since I started!
- Date posted
- 5y
I’m not a therapist, but I’ve read about ERP exercises such as walking by schools, playgrounds, or sports areas like for school teams. You could go into a store that caters to youth and buy something (don’t have to spend a fortune). You could listen to a podcast about actual pedophila (check out Crime Junkies episodes called Conspiracy: North Fox Island & The Oakland County Child Killer Part 1 & 2.) Hope that helps.
- Date posted
- 5y
Is there anything else I could do at home, you think, if I’m unable to leave the house?
- Date posted
- 5y
@WeCanDoThis Hmm, I'm not sure about at home. One thing came to mind, but then I figured it may actually trigger you further. Besides getting out of the house is better for you. How about going shopping around the same time the school's finish for the day, so you are around children? I know that must sound and would be uncomfortable, but it's probably a good and safe ERP to practice?
- Date posted
- 5y
As @lbg said, it's about exposure and response. Expose yourself to the unpleasant thing. In my case, I'm scared of going to the toilet or having a shower at home, add I'm convinced the floor will fall through because our floorboards creak. I don't really have any choice other thay to expose myself to that fear by using the toilet and showering.
Related posts
- Date posted
- 23w
What would I do for ERP if my OCD says because I didn’t do something correctly or remember something I will have panic attacks that don’t end?
- Date posted
- 22w
I’m 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. I’m not sure what I should do🥲
- Date posted
- 22w
I have, alongside my other OCD themes, an intense fear of insomnia. Although this has been improving somewhat — partly thanks to medication and The sleep school on YouTube — I still find myself ruminating about it throughout the day when I have something important the next day, I get stuck in the fear that everything will be ruined — for both myself and others — because my mind is so preoccupied with sleep. + a fear of depression coming back. It honestly feels like a form of sleep OCD. I'm not sure if that’s an official thing, but that’s how it feels to me. A form of erp is the idea of befriending wakefulness. That works great tbh. Things like sleep hygiene, meditation, etc. — tend to backfire because my OCD latches onto them and becomes too obsessive about “doing them right.” I’m genuinely wondering whether ERP — for example in the form of a worst-case-scenario audio loop (imaginal exposure) — could be helpful in this case. I’m hesitant to start unless I know it can actually help. Is there anyone who has experience with this or thoughts about it? I’m not looking for reassurance or tips to fall asleep — only for ideas on how ERP might be applied in this situation.
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