- Date posted
- 6y
- Date posted
- 6y
I agree these are tough, especially when you feel you have a rational reason behind it! The most effective way is to at some point get so fed up and angry at the OCD or doubt or whatever it is that you just accept the uncertainty. You can start small, use a ton of self compassion in your journey. We must walk through the fire only to turn around and realize there was never any danger in the first place!
- Date posted
- 6y
How did you cope with rational (albeit catastrophised) anxieties intermingling with OCD? For example I've always had contamination OCD, but a few years ago I was misdiagnosed for a physical illness and ended up with permanent irreversible health problems as a result. I now suffer a lot of anxiety about my personal safety out of fear of getting injured or sick and having the same thing happen. So there's a reasonable cause to an extent, but that anxiety is now tightly woven with my contamination OCD and any time I make strides with ERP, the other anxiety undoes it again
- Date posted
- 6y
How did you start to accept uncertainty? I am finding this so hard, and almost avoiding the topic altogether. I am terrified about the outcome. Some background is that I have rocd and I guess I'm scared once I accept uncertainty the thoughts and feelings might be true and I'm struggling to overcome this. Any help would be massively appreciated as I want to start my road to recovery asap but fear I can't
- Date posted
- 6y
You’ll have to at some point decide for yourself you are so goddamn sick of this garbage disorder that you are motivated and willing to overcome it
- Date posted
- 6y
In the same token, be very forgiving and kind to yourself! Having this crap is hard enough and we often put ourselves down without even realizing it!
- Date posted
- 6y
I am fed up with it. I want to overcome it with all my being, I just am still so scared. But yeah you're right I think it's hard to be kind to ourselves
- Date posted
- 6y
If you’ve tried everything else, try to accept the fear! You’re not in this alone, I know how hard it is because I still struggle but Exposure work has helped! You can do it!!
- Date posted
- 6y
Thank you (: I will give it a go!
Related posts
- Date posted
- 25w
I’m starting NOCD. I had several years of cbt as a child (well over 20 years ago) and I see a trauma therapist. But now I’ll be seeking further help for OCD and just really scared. CBT wasn’t helpful for me. How has ERP been helpful for you? Do you feel like you’ll finally get your life back? I’m consumed by my obsessions 😢 Would love others feedback if ERP helped you ❤️
- Date posted
- 24w
I pretty much hit rock bottom in September 2023 and it’s been so hard to climb out of. Especially with PTSD, Depression and undiagnosed ADHD. But I did it. And you can to. There is hope and as someone who has rebuilt herself back from OCD, I want to support others on their journey. Ask me anything 💜
- User type
- Therapist
- Date posted
- 23w
Hi everyone! My name is Tara, I’m a therapist here at NOCD. Before becoming a therapist, I worked various jobs in arts, textiles, prop styling, I worked in restaurants... I basically did what I could do with an undergrad in art living in Brooklyn, with a secret hope that I might someday pursue a career in mental health. Fun fact, I held onto that hope for 10 whole years before I decided to take a risk and apply to grad school! I wanted to become a therapist because I just knew that this was a field where my mind could work at its best and do the most good. Anyone else here with ADHD may understand. I simply cannot retain long term focus on something if I don’t absolutely love it, and I absolutely love this work. Having a job where my sole purpose is to connect with others and help them tap into their inner strength is an actual dream come true. I specifically love working with Exposure and Response Prevention and treating OCD, since the whole point of ERP is to show you you’re braver than you think you are. And it works so, so well. If you have a fear, and you think you “can’t” approach it, know that you most likely can. It might take some time to prove that to yourself, but with time and a steady dose of discomfort, you’ll get there. I’m sure that “discomfort” part didn’t sound appealing but let me ask you this - does OCD make you feel uncomfortable? Why not put some of that discomfort to work, in your favor? If you’re struggling with OCD, or you think you might be, know that you probably already have what it takes to thrive in ERP. You’re here. You recognized that you were struggling, you decided to find help, you downloaded the app, and you started reading through posts. I’m sure somewhere along the line, you felt at least a little uncomfortable, and you decided to take the next step anyway. That’s ERP in a nutshell :) Please ask me anything about OCD, your current symptoms or ERP. I’ll be responding over the next 2 days to questions.
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