samson
- Date posted
- 5y
Sunrise22Sunrise22
- Date posted
- 5y
Hi! Yes, most of the ERP you do will be on your own as you will need to practice it in daily life. I’m doing it right now and it’s really challenging, but what makes it challenging is the discomfort and fear, not the lack of someone helping my through it
samsonsamson
- Date posted
- 5y
Oh ok. Thank you. I do see a therapist, but he concentrates more on CBT. Those triggers can be something. I notice that when I get stressed it worsens my OCD.....
Sunrise22Sunrise22
- Date posted
- 5y
@samson @samson Omg you’re telling me! I’m a female so I am having hormonal triggers this week as well as multiple nights of poor sleep making me super tired. These issues make it so much harder to avoid compulsions and also make the anxiety when I do resist so much worse ? If you’re looking for a great OCD book to learn about ERP, I really like Brain Lock. It’s a classic. Breaks down what to do in four steps: Rename: I’m having obsessions and urges to do compulsions Reattribute: I have these because I have a brain disorder called OCD Refocus: Do something else that’s in line with your values Revalue: What value am I getting from not performing my compulsions It’s basically ACT therapy before ACT was coined
Sunrise22Sunrise22
- Date posted
- 5y
@samson I find that generally many therapists are trained in CBT but not the specific form of CBT that is ERP. I don’t really mind doing the exposures on my own because I would have to anyway. What I wish I had was a professional who I could talk to about my OCD symptoms and have them really understand
samsonsamson
- Date posted
- 5y
Thank you very much. I’ve had OCD since childhood. I’ve been on every medication under the sun. It’s also led into depression. I’ve tried a lot of things. I’ve even called my ex wife for reassurances to help with the compulsions. I know deep down that this is something I have to do on my own, but it can take a toll at times. I’m actually a weightlifter, and find that after I’m down lifting I feel so much better. I’m going to look up that book. SAMSON
Sunrise22Sunrise22
- Date posted
- 5y
Oh cool! Finally someone I can talk to on here about exercise. It is one of the only things that gives me relief when I really need it in the moment. For instance today I was really struggling to not do a compulsion and I took my dog for a brisk walk to try to get out of my head a bit. How does your OCD show up for you?
samsonsamson
- Date posted
- 5y
My ocd shows up anytime, anywhere...To be honest I find that my ocd gets worse as the day progresses. For example, theirs an ocd that I do whereas certain things I can’t throw in the garbage. So I have to put them aside, sort of close to the garbage but not inside. And of course leaving my house, I have a fear of floods or fires. So I constantly check the faucets and my stove, make sure things are off. But yes, exercising does help tons with ocd. I just don’t think a lot of people realize how beneficial exercise can be for mental disease. Even with my depression when I don’t really feel like doing anything, I freakin force myself to train!!
Sunrise22Sunrise22
- Date posted
- 5y
I’m trying to get back into weight lifting. Do you tend to go to the gym or work out at home?
samsonsamson
- Date posted
- 5y
I was training at a local gym. They closed down so I’ve been training at home. I have a lot of equipment that I bought when I was married. So, I pretty much have all I need at home. I try not to drop the weights.
Sunrise22Sunrise22
- Date posted
- 5y
No kidding! I work out at home but right now I use mostly my own body weight. I have the opposite of you - I had a home gym set up when I lived with my ex and don’t have access to any of that anymore! ?
samsonsamson
- Date posted
- 5y
Oh no. Well their are many exercises you can do with your own body weight.
Sunrise22Sunrise22
- Date posted
- 5y
True! I use free weights and kettle bells too
Sunrise22Sunrise22
- Date posted
- 5y
And bands
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond