- Username
- DOCD
- Date posted
- 3y ago
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- Username
- bluebellbluebell
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I’m glad that I’ve found this post, because I genuinely believe that the core fear is unbelievably useful to understand - and it was an integral part of my recovery. I’m not a psych expert, but I know that ERP is a specific form of CBT. Identifying ‘core fears’, and ‘deeper meaning’ is associated with psychodynamic psychotherapy, which isn’t as effective as CBT (ERP), and a lot of CBT therapists dislike this type of therapy because it can be ineffective and potentially damaging. That’s very likely why it hasn’t been explored in your treatment! HOWEVER, there are aspects of the psychodynamic theory that I think are heavily overlooked, when they are actually immensely valuable. Here’s two articles by Dr Michael Greenberg speaking about the nature of OCD, and core fears: https://drmichaeljgreenberg.com/a-simple-explanation-of-ocd/ https://drmichaeljgreenberg.com/the-core-fear/ The second article includes a link to a worksheet that will open up in Google drive. It’s really useful and helped me identify my core fear, and subsequently begin my recovery with ERP with much more effect. If you want to do it and don’t have Google drive, just download it!
- Username
- Madison the ERP NinjaMadison the ...
- Date posted
- 3y ago
Your therapist will help you identify your core fears. And actually, for me, it can differ from obsession to obsession, but usually, my Core Fear is experiencing a permanent feeling of guilt. I have Scrupulosity and my obsessions are all moral concerns — what I’m doing right or wrong. I know God will forgive me but my fear is if I don’t do the right thing, I will forever live with the guilt. I have to face that fear and do ERP and realize when I don’t try to solve it, the guilt passes! :)) Core Fears are important. Your NOCD therapist may help you find them in therapy. Mine does.
- Username
- DOCDDOCD
- Date posted
- 3y ago
Thanks Madison, I will bring this up during my next session.
- Username
- Madison the ERP NinjaMadison the ...
- Date posted
- 3y ago
@DOCD You bet. Also, regarding your question in the post, you’ll know if trying to figure out your core fear becomes a compulsion if you feel like “I HAVE to figure out what this is or I’ll never get better”! (In that case your core fear for *that* obsession actually could be that you’ll never get better/whatever that means for you) If you can’t identify what scares you when an obsession pops, actually, that’s okay sometimes. Instead of trying to figure out why you’re threatened you can accept those feelings and not ruminate about them. It’s still a good exposure. I do agree that getting down to the Core Fear will be really beneficial though. Your therapist will know how to do this in the best way. Good luck!
- Username
- DOCDDOCD
- Date posted
- 3y ago
Thank you both for your posts and insights. E L, you say you’ve largely overcome your SOOCD theme. Can I ask what core fears were driving this for you?
Related posts
- Username
- AlyssaBuon
- Date posted
- 2y ago
Why is ERP so hard?
It feels like I can never even get to be able to get there. It shakes me to my core and writing out my fears, triggers, and compulsions today for my therapist made my OCD finally feel real and that it’s not just my anxiety. Has anyone else struggled with this? Any tips for newbies who are scared 💩less?
- Username
- WrappedinIvy
- Date posted
- 48w ago
I need Ideas
I have ROCD and I doing ERP with my NOCD therapist, her approach is to do imaginary ERP (writing stuff down and read it etc.) But I won't get triggered by stuff like that. PLEASE, does anyone else have any other examples or Ideas of kinds of exposures I could do? Here are some details: So my core fears are: "What if it's not OCD but really no love" What if you hurt her What if you never get rid of the stuff What if you just try convincing yourself you love her. So it always works like this: Trigger builds up "naturally" (due to stress, or life changes or if I spend a lot of time with my girlfriend) OCD comes crashing down on me with a massive doubt like "what if you really don't love her and it's no OCD" I try to stand the affliction and stick with my point of view and don't question it (That I love her and it's just OCD) I give in (I am not really doing much, it's more like a light switch in my head that OCD switches from standing my point to be unsure and in question about if I love her) So the thing is, I tried to analyze the shit out of this stuff and recreate situations but I have a really hard time triggering myself, it just won't work. Furthermore I think I might have ADHD cause I am literally ALWAYS distracted, so it's really hard for me to focus. On the other hand, when I WAIT for OCD to come fucking naturaly, it's so overwhelming and I fail. PLEASE HELP ME. My therapist seems to doesn't have a real solution for it.
- Username
- WindowSeat
- Date posted
- 43w ago
SOCD and ROCD ERP suggestuons
Hi everyone, My therapist is not a fan of ERP, we are doing a compassionate based therapy and she really wants to get to the bottom of what is behind my OCD and core fears. However, we have been trying CFT for over a year and I am still struggling with CFT and day to day life. I am really keen to try ERP and she has said yes if I come up with suggestions. Would be very grateful for some ideas of good first ERP exercises for someone with SOCD and ROCD. Thanks in advance!
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