Jeanie12
- Date posted
- 3y
Jenna OverbaughJenna Overbaugh
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 3y
generally we ask that people continue to do an exposure until they have habituated or experienced about a 50% reduction in their anxiety before moving on. before crossing off exposures/moving onto something else entirely i would want to be sure that someone is not ritualizing through that exposure, that they're kind of bored of it, and that they do not necessarily want to move on from it - meaning if they WANT to get rid of that exposure then we keep it. all in the favor of doing the opposite of what the ocd wants to do. does that help?
Jeanie12Jeanie12
- Date posted
- 3y
It does! Thank you! It’s hard because my OCD has been convincing me that I’m doing ERP wrong. I really want to get better more than I want anything in the world but some of it is so hard to understand. Mental compulsions and knowing when it’s time to move on to a new exposure. It’s like when I figure one thing out, my brain throws me a brand new question.
Jaden5Jaden5
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
I’m so sorry, I feel for you. ROCD is so so hard. I have not starting my ERP yet, so I do not have any advice for you but just wanted to encourage you to keep pushing!
OCDSux-123OCDSux-123
- Date posted
- 3y
My therapist told me I should be doing my ERP therapy every day. She said to start with a few mins and work up to spending 10-15 mins each time in the therapy. She said I should be doing this daily until I no longer have the same intense fight or flight response. Ocd can be like a wack a mole, if you’re having anxiety about no longer having anxiety create an ERP short story about that?
OCDSux-123OCDSux-123
- Date posted
- 3y
FYI I also have ROCD and I have the same intrusive thoughts about my fiancé. I totally understand. Stick with it!
Jeanie12Jeanie12
- Date posted
- 3y
Thank you and congratulations on your engagement! It is genuinely the hardest thing I have ever experienced. I was in a dark hole almost 3 months ago when this started and had to be put on medication. Now I’m convinced that any good moments I have is because of the medication and not the work I’ve put in. I just want to get off this roller coaster and feel like myself again. I got married September 19th of this year and there is so much guilt inside of me for having these thoughts. Getting married in the midst of ROCD was so hard. 😞
OCDSux-123OCDSux-123
- Date posted
- 3y
@Jeanie12 Being engaged with ROCD is so hard as well, so I FEEL you. I have these big fears about my ocd ruining it and scaring me away from it. Did you feel that way while engaged?
Jeanie12Jeanie12
- Date posted
- 3y
@MoMo-OCD I absolutely did. It didn’t happen until about a month before the wedding. We were engaged for about a year. I had a thought that I found someone else attractive and I’ve been spiraling ever since. Definitely the worst thing I have ever experienced. I just want to feel normal. Feels like it’s impossible to be happy again.
OCDSux-123OCDSux-123
- Date posted
- 3y
@Jeanie12 I’ve had those thoughts too. I’ve tried everything - but sticking consistently to ERP is the only thing that sounds like will work. I seek reassurance from my best friend often and I think I’m just making it worse on myself. You’re not alone!
NicaNica
- Date posted
- 3y
Everyday or every other day.
ademsao05ademsao05
- Date posted
- 3y
Guys am stuck with unreasonable hate towards my partner 😭😭😭😭 idk why whenever we have a little argument or IDK my brain just go into hating her and say mean stuff to her 😭😭😭
Related posts
Looping
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 22w
ERP/Therapy
I find while doing exposures, rarely does my anxiety lessen. It usually amps up and stays that way for the remainder of the day. I could be having a fairly decent day, but dutifully do my exposures and then the rest of my day is anxiety filled. I guess that’s just how it is now? Also, I’m wondering if my therapist even believes I have OCD. I totally understand my therapist cannot provide reassurance. But it’s to the point it seems my therapist acts like I actually did the thing I fear. I feel so isolated.
Stacey353
- Date posted
- 20w
ERP makes my driving anxiety worse
Everytime I do exposure therapy and even if it ends up good I get more nervous for the next time. How do I get past this I really need some help please. Now I am scared to even move the car after I drove on the main road 2 days ago.
Monkeybrain842
- Date posted
- 16w
How does one activl 'practice' exposure therapy ?
One problem - Various themes This is my first post. I had a relapse a few months ago. Life was amazing and then boom, I got triggered by something and started spiralling about my sexuality (having finally been at peace for two years, entered a healthy new relationship and come out of the closet as an older women). How do you, when you're not triggered practice ERP? I'm able to try and accept the thoughts every time I see a man. What should I be doing when I don't encounter these triggers. I was to say as well that I also am starting to get real event OCD about some of the sexual things I did in the past when I was married and in an unhealthy toxic relationship with my ex husband. I am shamed and disgusted and I'm working on it but there's a certain subsection of the LGBTQ community that trigger these thoughts, groinals and thing for me... I feel like I'm beginning to realise I need to maybe be a little more active in my recovery instead of waiting for triggers... But I don't know how
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