Anonym1l
- Date posted
- 3y
Lms526Lms526
- Date posted
- 3y
OCD is a chronic condition. So there is no cure. But ERP can help you experience a major reduction in your symptoms. It can help you break the OCD cycle. Just prior to starting treatment I was exactly where you are now. I have had OCD symptoms starting at age 8. I was diagnosed in August at the age of 45. When I first started treatment, I had pretty much convinced myself that my therapist was going to tell me I didn't have OCD. Then when I got diagnosed, my OCD started telling me "Even though ERP has worked for countless others, it won't work for you. You're the exception." There is no shame in taking medication for a mental health issues. Mental illnesses are medical illnesses. OCD is believed to be caused by a malfunction in your brain. Its no different than taking medication for a thyroid problem or insulin for diabetes. ERP is a very specialized type of therapy that doesn't require years of therapy. Usually just a few months. ERP has been life changing for me. I feel much more stable and OCD is still there. But its more in the background. Are there still times where I get triggered? Yes. But I can handle it much better now. ERP is not fun or easy. Its one of the hardest things I've ever done. You get out of ERP what you put into it. I suggest going all in. Everyone recovers at a different pace. Some recovery pretty quickly. Others, it takes more time. Its not a race. Recovery is possible.
NicaNica
- Date posted
- 3y
It’s true, just like any other mental illness. When I learned that I can’t cure my mental illnesses as a child (and I have many), I actually felt relief. What you can do is go into ERP therapy and learn how to deal and heal from your OCD so it can be managed. You’ll also learn coping mechanisms that’ll be in your mental health tool belt for the rest of your life that you can pull out whenever you need to.
ARTnotOCDARTnotOCD
- Date posted
- 3y
Like many illnesses of the mind and body there is no CURE for OCD, but there absolutely are TREATMENTS that make it MANAGEABLE. And for many, medications play a part, but meds or no meds, therapy is very helpful, or I should say good, OCD-specific therapy is very helpful. As you learn more about your OCD and how to fight it, it will get easier. And even if/when there’s a downward part of a cycle, you’ll still have those tools to help you recover. I know now everything seems pointless or that this pain and this part of it will last forever, but that’s not the case. Sending you strength and comfort. 💪🏼💜
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Anonymous
- Date posted
- 24w
Decades of OCD..confused about my next steps!!!
I have had ocd for decades! Could I still be cured???? (Of you can call it that?) I have seen different therapists but it never had fully left me...not by any stretch of the imagination. I do want to be free of this ocd and its power over me and all the bad that it brought into my life!!! Some days I am strong and feel like I am fighting it put other days...many days...I don't get things done or if I do I take a long time to-do the things I need to get done. I feel like I know this is just then ocd stopping me and that these are just thoughts but nobody in my family understands and though they have shared my journey and hated it a I do.....it just feels like I want so bad to be the best person I coukd be but I avoid places, people, things, that have any reminder of my ocd.......and so it restricts me from getting better and completing tasks the way I used to. Now UI might go and make 2-3 trips cuz I am worried to shop at a place and therefore it takes my time up. The avoidance I do is bad! When I actually don't listen to my ocd and don't avoid something...I feel great! ,However, it happens so rarely!!! I.dont know how finding a therapist through NOCD will help me. It is not in person and two be honest I almost think I need medicine to push me along. I don't have anybsteady and consistent improvements. However, I don't think I want to be on medication for the rest of my life! I am very confused!
anonymous2580
- Date posted
- 23w
Does it really get better?
I’ve been dealing with ocd my whole life, and just got diagnosed about a year ago. I feel my days becoming occupied with thoughts, urges, fears and worry that completely debilitate me. It’s getting to the point where i feel like it’s taking over my life. I don’t see this getting any better, even with the therapy and medication I’m on. I’m scared my life will be like this forever, I’m tired. My brain is tired of ruminating every second of every day from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep. I’m not sure how much longer I can go on like this.
Anonymous
- Date posted
- 15w
Feel lost and without hope
I dont know what to do anymore. I think Ive had the 'pure O' version of OCD for more than ten years. I feel like so much of my life has been wasted from this disease. For the longest time I just tried to ignore the intrusive thoughts, and push them off as anxiety, and basically dissociated for years of my life. Feels like Ive just been on autopilot and a shell of myself for nearly 15 years. Its actually hard to even imagine of all the experiences, emotions, connections with others, and personal growth that Ive missed out on- if I do, I think it would be too much to handle. I think Ive even forgot and dont even know at this point what it is to live a normal life and experience positive emotions. Now that I sought treatment for it specifically, it feels like it's gotten worse. Like by acknowledging that part of myself, suddenly added focus just makes it more real and in the forefront now. I wonder if I am actually going insane. Will not go into details for reassurance but the thoughts just rip my soul out. Its so difficult as well because I will get random 'clarity moments' throughout the day where I feel like Ive solved something, then get completely derailed by another OCD thought stream and forget everything. It feels like Im just on a merry-go-round of hell, not going anywhere thinking I am at times.
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