- Username
- lilly_1012
- Date posted
- 25w ago
ERP
OCD and ERP so difficult. ERP is so difficult, I want to try so hard. As I do not want to waste these sessions but as some days I feel like I cannot do it. Like how do I change my mindset.
- Username
- ResilientTaurusResilientTaurus
- Date posted
- 25w ago
It's all about the practice. No one is a master when they start anything, right? If you've never rock climbed before you're not going to just shimmy up Mt. Everest on your first day, or even your 20th, or 160th day. It takes practice and lots of time to learn. Some days in ERP you'll have lapses or there will be days you just can't handle the exposures, and that's okay! More than okay! My recommendation is start small. Try homework once a week for 10 minutes, then when you feel it's easy, try 15 minutes, and then maybe try twice a week. I promise it's all about practicing and pacing yourself. Again, no one is a pro when they try something new, and even pros need to continously practice and learn. You'll get there. 😊
- Username
- ResilientTaurusResilientTaurus
- Date posted
- 25w ago
Also be honest with your therapist (if you're in the program) and yourself that you might need to take it down a level on exposures.
- Username
- B MoneyB Money
- Date posted
- 25w ago
It takes a while for your mindset to change, but what got me through intensive ERP was the thought that I want to live my life without the shadow of OCD/Anxiety. What might help is setting goals throughout treatment to give some more motivation. Even when it's hard, you can push through.
- Username
- NicaNica
- Date posted
- 25w ago
What ResilientTaurus said!
Related posts
- Username
- CDub80
- Date posted
- 25w ago
ERP isn't easy
Does anyone else feel not as triggered during your exposures vs when the intrusive thoughts come up out of nowhere???? I am starting back in on the ERP sessions for my subtypes that hold the most power over me. It is very uncomfortable. Feels so awkward and silly TBH to even entertain these thoughts and yet... HERE I AM! Thanks OCD. I am going go commit to the homework that my therapist has sent and hoping for the noise to quiet down soon
- Username
- hannahbalrising
- Date posted
- 23w ago
Newbie - fighting the urge to cancel
Newly diagnosed with OCD but have struggled with depression, anxiety, ptsd, and night terrors for about 20 years now. Never knew it was OCD! Anyhow, I struggle with existential OCD and perfectionism OCD which has always caused me to dislike “regular” talk therapy because it never worked, there was no point, and I was worried I wasn’t doing it right. Well I’ve started ERP with my therapist, and now every day that I have therapy, I anxiously spiral about how it’s going to be bad, and I’m not going to get better anyway because I’m not doing it right, and what’s the point in getting better anyway. Sorry for the run on sentences. Does anyone have advice for getting motivated for therapy sessions and not fearing them? TL;DR: Does anyone have advice of how to stay motivated for ERP therapy with doubts of failing/anxiety/existential thoughts?
- Username
- sophis.
- Date posted
- 22w ago
Treatment - erp
Treatment - ERP Hey so basically I'm just soooo scared to do ERP. I started doing erp with one service and I couldn't cope with our first exposure which was just sitting alone for 20 minutes and accepting intrusive thoughts with no compulsions'. I found this so distressing and hard. I've been moved services and probably will be doing ERP with them but I really don't want to do it. I know it's the gold standard treatment for OCD but it scares me so much knowing I have to do it. I'm scared it will make me way more sick and at this point in my life I cannot afford to be more sick (I'm starting year 13 next month and doing my A-level exams in may) I want to trust that this will work but I'm just very scared. I'm scared that this service will be just as bad as the other one. One of my big fears that we did my hierarchy for with service 1 was around science practicals as that was the only fear that therapist 1. I'm scared that therapist 2 will focus on the same scenario (which is a scenario that I struggle A LOT with) but I can't do that, I'm not sure what my hierarchy will be this time. I can't think of any harm exposures at all but I'm sure she will be able to.
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