- Date posted
- 4y
- Date posted
- 4y
The goal isn't to stop the thoughts. It's to stop your response. Stop the response (ERP) and chabam! No more OCD symptoms. You're getting caught up in the thought of always having to do ERP. THAT is a compulsion. OCD is tricky that way 😉
- Date posted
- 4y
Ahh fair enough. Well then the first stuff I worked on I don't do exposure for anymore. Awesome to hear about the tapping!
- Date posted
- 4y
That’s awesome. I’m realizing that even though I only consider one issue in my life to be OCD, I actually have been obsessive/compulsive about multiple things. So thanks for that reminder to try exposures on different things! One great thing about tapping is that you can tap while incorporating ERP (and/or the principle of exposing yourself to the trigger) at the same time. :)
- Date posted
- 4y
ERP works well over time and the thoughts become far less distressing. OCD rears it's ugly head again when I find myself off balance. Times of added stress, too little sleep, when I am hungry or sick.
- Date posted
- 4y
Thanks :)
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 4y
So, even though I’m no longer having panic attacks, ruminating, intrusive thoughts, avoidance, compulsive behavior, etc every single day like I was last year, I still get days where the thoughts seem more real than other days. I have essentially completed my ERP therapy, but even on days where I feel stressed about ANYTHING else going on in my life, my mind will also circle back around to the intrusive thoughts, even if that was not my originally stressor. But, if it gets really bad, I will repeat my old ERP exposures to calm me down and keep me center again. Don’t look at it as taking steps backwards, think of it as a refresher to clear your mind again and remind yourself who you really are.
- Date posted
- 4y
Thank you :)
- Date posted
- 4y
Thanks but that isn’t quite my experience. I don’t expect to stop the thoughts altogether, but I have experienced the thoughts becoming less problematic, and feeling as though I was able to manage the OCD, both with ERP and EFT Tapping (a form of energy healing.) I was curious what other people’s experience has been with doing exposures in terms of clearing the symptoms vs having to continue with exposures over time. I don’t actually get caught up in the thought of having to do ERP, and that hasn’t been a compulsion or compulsive thoughts. I’m more trying to learn about other people’s experiences, in part because I have had very similar results with those two different approaches, and EFT is known to be able to clear things over time. Thanks for answering :)
Related posts
- Date posted
- 10w
When you become a “conqueror” does it mean you’ve completed ERP or you’ve just gotten to a good place with it? If so, how long did it take to finish therapy and how did you finally make progress? I’m having a hard time sticking with it right now as it feels unproductive. I’ve been in ERP for about 2 months and I can’t wait to be done.
- Date posted
- 6w
Hey everyone it’s been a while since I posted on here. Honestly, I try to stay off of this app unless I really need advice because I find it triggering at times. But right now I’m feeling pretty down and just would like some hopeful and helpful advice. Has anyone ever felt like they’re just not capable of getting out of this? Has anyone ever felt like ERP therapy isn’t working or that they just can’t get it’s a click? . I’ve been in ERP therapy for over a year just about a year and a half actually and I literally feel so stagnant and stuck still. I show up every week I do my exposures, but my body is in such a chronic fight or fight all the time that it feels almost impossible to apply the tools. I’m super sensitive to begin with and I feel things very deeply and because of that it feels like I’m not gonna be able to ever change. It feels like no matter what I do or experience I’m just gonna always feel it so deeply and it’s gonna just rattle me all of the time. I’m honestly so frustrated. I’m tired and I’m overwhelmed. I so badly wanna change these patterns that I have and grow and be out of this OCD spiral, but everything just feels impossible. I’m just wondering if I’m alone here?? Has anyone ever felt this way? Has ERP taken a long time for anyone else or am I the only one that just can’t get my brain to click with it? Any encouraging and helpful words would be greatly appreciated thank you 🙏
- Date posted
- 5w
I'm trying to get my head around ERP. What is the best way to describe how it's a "solution." Imo I think OCD happens with people who are very concerned with their own genuine integrity and probably their own "morality." So when something (like an uncomfortable "real event" that actually happened) messes that up, it's hard to grapple with that...hence the endless rumination and trying to "problem solve" it. But the mind doesn't let you sleep (i.e. OCD) if something is controversial and doesn't sit with you. Or if you obsess over something and it's based on a rooted fear. You just can't "let it go," it has to be addressed and dealt with. But what happens when it is NEVER dealt with? How does ERP address that dilemma as a permanent solution? Or does ERP only address compulsions and anxiety, but it doesn't actually deal with the issue causing it. Do you ever get REAL peace of mind? Or is just something to make you feel "less anxious" etc? Thanks I just want peace of mind. I haven't had true peace of mind in several years.
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