- Date posted
- 7y
- Date posted
- 7y
I’ve been living with OCD about half my life — so I completely understand what you mean about your rituals being deeply ingrained. Mine are the same way. What motivates you to want to get better? Try to keep that in mind when you are doing exposures. I wish I could tell you that there was a way to make them easier, but I honestly don’t know that there is. You have to make a very conscious decision that you are not going to engage in the compulsion and then follow through. It is not easy by any means when you first start doing it; it is quite literally a fight. But you are a lot less powerless than you think. Also keep in mind that it WILL get easier.
- Date posted
- 7y
Have you checked out the plan feature?
- Date posted
- 7y
What are your rituals?
- Date posted
- 7y
Like Mjs pointed out this app can also help you through it.
- Date posted
- 7y
At the beginning I mostly did exposures with my therapist, and then worked on those same things at home. I only recently started doing exposures on my own. It’s going to take time. Give yourself some grace. You’ve had these rituals for years, and only just started getting help. Maybe ask your therapist for a few goals a week.
- Date posted
- 7y
I tried the app but I don’t understand how to set up the exposures part. I mainly use the SOS feature. My rituals are calling/texting my BF to make sure he’s not cheating on me. So my exposure for the next two weeks is for us to cutoff communication after 9pm (we are in a long-distance relationship). I did that for two nights before I “relapsed”. I couldn’t do it. I tried other (easier) exposures (like flipping a coin everytime I want to call/text him) or only calling/texting x amount of times/day but I’ve never been able to stick to the exposures for more than a couple days at a time. I think my therapist is frustrated honestly because I won’t stick to my exposures.
Related posts
- Date posted
- 24w
i feel like I can’t even enjoy time with my boyfriend anymore. No matter what we do, I’m constantly analyzing, checking, and questioning if I love him, if I feel anything, if I even want to be with him. It’s exhausting. I don’t feel happy, I don’t feel present, and I don’t know how to fix it. I’ve read about ERP, and I know it’s supposed to help, but I don’t know how to start. I feel like my fears are too real, like maybe this isn’t just ROCD—maybe I actually don’t love him, and I’m just scared to accept it. It feels like I’m lying to myself. I know my compulsions: I constantly check my feelings, analyze past memories, compare my relationship to others, and seek reassurance. I know I’m supposed to stop doing these things, but what do I do instead? What do I do when the thoughts hit me with full force and I feel completely numb? I’m scared to sit with the uncertainty. I’m scared that if I stop checking, I’ll realize I don’t love him. I want to do ERP, but I don’t even know where to begin. Has anyone successfully gone through this? How do you deal with the fear when it feels so real?
- Date posted
- 22w
My spouse is my best friend. A few months ago I basically worshipped the ground he walked on. He’s the best partner in the world so no “maybe he’s not the right person” commentary. Lately my fear of going psychotic has brought back my intrusive thoughts about harming my husband. Now, whether it be from emotional dissociation or medications, I can’t feel any emotions so I’ve developed ROCD. This is ruining my life and has been a month from hell since my spouse/comfort zone makes me feel nothing. My therapist hasn’t given me any info on how to do anything about this other than reading a book (didn’t help). Any ERP suggestions? I haven’t done ERP before for these types of OCD
- Date posted
- 22w
Hi! I've been on my OCD healing journey for about half a year and I have seen a lot of success. I'm reaching out for advice, I am very willing to do exposures because I know the more I do them, the more I get better, but I struggle with the response prevention part. I don't know how to control my brain when it comes to facing the fears especially since most of my compulsions are mental. I can tell myself the typical things "I am okay with the uncertainty of this happening", etc. but its like my brain doesn't believe them. I've been stuck in this disconnect for a while and would love advice you have heard from a therapist or learned that has really help you.
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond