Please read !!! Has anyone felt like their symptoms worsened after therapy sessions? right before I started them I was getting to a place of peace by myself with my own inner work but when I talk about when I was deeply disturbed by my thoughts to my therapist it brings it back up all over again- does this mean I still have stuff to heal? Or am I hurting myself more for no reason?
I would suggest bringing this up with your therapist but from my personal experience I would say even though you may be bringing some initial discomfort now, the work you are doing will lead to a better outcome long term.
@zachinator67 It’s very painful, and it’s brought up like actual trauma. Is that normal with just ocd therapy? And how do you get through it?? Yes I will ask my therapist but I want to hear other experiences
@Lalillie About the feeling of trauma, NOCD has trauma informed therapists now too
@A23 How do I know if she’s trauma informed? What if she doesn’t know what to do with it, because I’ve expressed to her how much I have and she still said I don’t have symptoms of ptsd or cptsd when I’m starting to actually have them again due to the exposure therapy.
@Lalillie https://www.treatmyocd.com/therapists/category/ptsd NOCD actually purchased a trauma therapy company, so they have the resources now
@Lalillie And you can check their profiles / ask them
Hi Lalillie! This is actually so relatable it is not even funny. But you know why this is? It's because when you start therapy and do ERP, at first it's going to feel worse because you are purposely triggering yourself. That's actually what's supposed to happen. Unfortunately, it has to get worse before it gets better. But trust me, stick in there and it will get better! This literally happens to me all the time and the only way to help it is to go thru it. Also, the fact that you think you still have stuff to heal is normal, I think that too sometimes. But actually, all it is is that you have ocd. Unfortunately, it's not really like ocd will ever go away completely, but we will get to a point where it is manageable. So, if you are triggered, you may still have these thoughts and worries, but you will be able to ignore them and not let them affect your life. What I'm trying to say is that the fact that thoughts and anxiety come around again even after you feel peace is normal, for people with and without ocd. The difference for people with ocd is that they overreact to these fears, and we have to learn how to manage them. So, don't worry at all. In fact, the fact that you are feeling worse is good, because that means it's working and change is coming! Good luck and God bless you!!! You got this! Hopefully I do too lol
I second this^. Keep putting in the work! It takes awhile but you will see the results.
I’m so sorry, that sounds incredibly stressful. I would say that typically ERP and therapy for OCD does typically bring out more intense symptoms because you’re typically exposing yourself to the ocd it’s self and trying to sit in the discomfort without compulsions. But you could definitely benefit from talking with your therapist about the trauma! You want to practice being uncomfortable but not in a way that is too intense or makes you feel genuinely horrible.
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