I just did an exposure (post something on social media) and now I have to do the response prevention part (not checking social media for comments and likes) I have done this erp exercise before but the urge to check seems stronger this time. 😑 But I have to do this for myself and my children whom I love.

What type do you have? Pocd?

I have had many different themes but for now my themes are mainly religious, safety around my children, and what people think of me.

@Sunflower 1234 The safety and well being of my children

@Sunflower 1234 I can relate. I think we’ve talked before about this actually. But yes, I can relate! If you don’t mind me asking, how is posting on social media an exposure for you? And good work! You got this!

@Freemeofocd Because of my OCD I usually over analyze people comments to my post. I would explain more but I don't want to trigger you. I remember talking to you too. Do you struggle with pocd?

@Freemeofocd Also thanks for the encouragement. I feel weak and vulnerable right now. But I am also stubborn and I don't want to let OCD win. 🙃

@Sunflower 1234 Yes I do struggle with that. Do you as well? If you don’t mind sharing, I would like to know. Maybe I can practice your ERP excercise as well. Are you in therapy? Or is this self-guided erp? How old are you? I’m sorry I’m just so excited when I find other moms like myself ❤️

@Freemeofocd I use loop tapes a lot, identify my compulsions and just do the opposite of what ocd tells me to do. I am happy to connect with other moms on here too.

I have struggled with that fear myself. Also the fear when my daughter goes to her fathers for his time with her. I always feel the need to inspect her once she gets home. I am 29, we are pretty close in age! Good job with practicing erp on your own. It is incredibly brave of you. Have you looked into NOCD therapy?

@Freemeofocd Wow I thought I was alone in this fear. I am always scared of people molesting my children too. I am doing this for my children. They need me to be strong. They are my motivations to get better. And the only way to get better is erp. I did schedule an appointment with a nocd therapist but he didn't show up. Turns out he is a fraud. 😑 You should seek nocd therapy if you can though. Other people on here have good experiences with them.

@Sunflower 1234 Oh yes! I remember you saying that happened. I’m so sorry. Did you ever get to speak to someone about that? Maybe they will reschedule you? Did you get your money back? I have an appointment with a therapist this month, and then also a NOCD therapist this month. I’m worried about opening up to a therapist that isn’t trained specifically in ocd.

@Freemeofocd I didnt pay them anything yet. Nocd is really nice about it. That therapist just happens to be a fraud. They don't have any other therapists that are licensed to do therapy in my State I saw a none ocd therapist 12 years ago and it as a bad experience. They told me to stop thinking bad thoughts which made my OCD worse. So be careful to see a non OCD therapist.

Yes, same here! I deal with them all. How old are you and how old are your children?

I think erp is the most effective for ocd. I have started doing erp on my own for almost 4 weeks now and I have seen some progress. No where near recovered though. My OCD themes overlap too. So glad to have other moms here on this app. We have to get better for our children. Erp is scary but it does get easier. The first two weeks I did it were horrible. I was so depressed and hopeless. Now when I do erp I am still anxious but at least not hopeless

I literally would die for my children. I feel like I am doing erp for them even though it is utterly so frightening. But I need to get better for them.

I have not done my compulsion yet. Yay! Thanks for checking in. Would you mind explaining why it is bad to post kids pictures on social medial? What is the risk of that? I always post my kids pictures when they are fully clothes and only my friends can see the pictures. My OCD fear is that someone will steal my children pictures on Facebook and post them to a porn website. Is that a rational fear? My husband thinks my fear is irrational.

Thanks so much for clarifying. You are so thoughtful and kind. I will check out the website you suggested. Ocd is tricky sometime. It is hard to know when to draw the line. For example, it is good to wash your hands. But it can be an ocd thing to wash your hand for 10 hours. So I find it hard to know how much to protect my kids and not going overboard in an ocd way.