- Username
- Anonymous
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I started ERP therapy 2 weeks ago. What it asks you to do is face your fears. OCD is an anxiety driven mental illness that plays tricks on you using irrationality to convince you that you “might” be something you fear to be. It teaches you to “sit” with the anxiety of the possibility. You physically, mentally, and emotionally grow from this process. It is scary initially but it gets better. I understand why this triggered you but I am hear to say to you, that you can do this.
Thanks a lot. I wouldn't even wish this illness on my worst enemy. I'm going to talk to my therapist about this fear and I'm sure they will help me walk through it. It's so scary.
Don't put too much stock in what people say on here. It's just a forum and none of the statements have been verified. What people say may be true or may not be true. I will say that OCD makes many people believe they have already become what they fear. ERP in its initial stages does not necessarily get rid of this fear. You have to remember you are your own person, so don't get caught up in other people's stories because you're not them. Focus on your life.
Thank you! I always try to tell myself that their story is their story. And like my therapist told me. "possibility does not indicate probability" we just have to be okay with the uncertainty. That statement just really triggered something in me but I'm feeling better now.
Remember that a lot of us might post when we’re feeling at our worst. When in the throughs of OCD it’s hard to be rational. Also, you’re embarking on your ERP with a therapist. That means you have a professional to help you in going through a difficult but very helpful treatment. It’s so unfortunate when we do get triggered here by each other, but now that you spoke out about it, you also know there are those of us here with and for you. Be as brave as you can, and know we’re rooting for you. If you like dogs, mine also offers you some snuggles. Strength and comfort your way. 💪🏼💜
I’m having a meltdown! Help! I have been reducing my reassurance lately. I went from 250 to now like 20 times. Huge jump in last month. But I feel absolutely awful still because it’s ERP and it gets worse before you get better. I’m so on edge so the slightest things trigger me. I’ve been having a horrible meltdown for an hour screaming at top of my lungs. I just want ERP TO Work!!! I’m putting in so much effort. I believe I’m getting closer but these meltdowns are horrible. Hopefully it’s a good sign that erp is working because the ocd is mad. Anyone else experience this in ERP? It’s such a huge change and I want my life back so bad! During this meltdown, my ocd has told me that I’m never going to get better and I’m scared.
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?
I need a different perspective on this. I feel like I'm being run through the ringer. I'm doing what I can to avoid reassurance and not avoid triggers but I get triggered every day. I'm trying so hard to sit with the panic and the horror but it's so hard. It gets to the point I feel physically sick. Is there anything that I can do to help with this? I feel alone. I don't feel strong, I feel like a punching bag. Why is this so hard to master? I really want to know it gets easier. I've been suffering from POCD that has evolved and gotten worse and worse over the past eight months that has been torturing me multiple times on a daily basis and I feel like I'm drowning. I want to run away and hide because my life feel like it's seconds from being ruined. Please, please tell me this gets easier. That this ERP therapy will stop making me feel like I'm dying. The small moments of victory feel so brief only for me to get hit with another wave. There is so much uncertainty over such a horrific thing I feel ill. I feel afraid to be alone with my mind. Please if anyone out there can please give me tips on how to handle ERP. One moment I think I'm finally beating this thing and the next it's got me pinned and I'm terrified my life will be ruined. I want my peace back, I need help and I'm doing everything I can to resist compulsions but I feel so alone and dirty and disgusting. Please help me. Thank you for any advice 💕
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