I’m currently in one of the worse OCD flare ups of my life. I’m trying to hold on so I can work and support my family. Purposefully triggering my obsessions during ERP sounds terrifying. I’ve heard “it gets worse before it gets better.” I can’t afford for it to get worse. How much worse can I expect my symptoms to get?
I wouldn’t say it gets worse, it’s just that we’re actually engaging those things and allowing ourselves to realize we don’t have to give in to our obsessions by doing those compulsions, that at the end of the day, don’t really even help us.
A good way to start is rather than purposely triggering yourself just living your life and if a trigger comes up do it then for example if you are obsessed about germs don't purposely expose yourself to germs but if you are out and about and you have to use a public restroom use that as an opportunity to practice and warm up to it that way that might be a good way to eat yourself into it
This is a great question. Im in a similar situation with a flare up and would like to know. When you feel like youre barely functioning, its hard to imagine purposely adding anxiety.
If you do nothing about it, nothing will change. That is something I was not willing to accept in and for my life or my family
Well one fact I know for sure is that it's wonderful that you are working hard and supporting your family. And the goal of supporting your family sounds like a very pressure-inducing thing--I am so sorry you have so much on your plate while you're experiencing OCD. Do you think it would help to reach out to a counselor just so you can get some support with OCD? I know that getting to see a counselor in person can take a trillion years, but through nocd I was able to get in touch with one pretty quick, if you're interested. You are strong and brave and you are awesome!!!
When I first heard of ERP it sounded no solution. I experienced the first very debilitating theme ever so was desperate for help. To my surprise it was easier than I expected at the start, and I felt much stronger b/c I was gaining control. Once you’re working on the more challenging aspects you’re stronger so I think it won’t be as scary as how you feel right now that you’re overwhelmed by the flare up.
@Aaanonymous A ton of typos but I think it’s 100% work moving forward, you can move slow if need be. Not all therapist apply it the same way, so keep that in mind as well. There NOCD they likely do is my guess but it’s not the only option.
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.
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 💕
Does it actually get worse when you first start doing exposures? My intrusive thoughts have gotten so much worse, it’s been 3 days since I started but my anxiety has gotten worse.
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