Exposure response prevention

[Strongest123]

Hi everyone. Hope everyone is having a great Sunday. Just wanted to know if anyone’s had any success with exposure response prevention therapy. I’ve had OCD all my life, and lately it’s been taking a toll. I’m on meds for it, but I’ve been trying ERP therapy but it definitely can increase my anxiety. SAMSON

[Selesnya]

I've been doing ERP, and it certainly increases your anxiety, but it lets you live your life more as you want to. For me, that is a trade-off that I'm willing to make. If you haven't read this, check it out:

healthunlocked.com/my-ocd/p...

This really gets to the heart of everything. What do you want to do, and are why are you willing to face the anxiety that OCD throws at us? Reminding yourself of your goals can give the anxiety meaning. Facing the anxiety means that you're able to pursue your goals and not be stuck.

[Hidden]

Hi, So I like to think of ERP as a double-headed sword: it stabs you with anxiety making it increase in the moment, but it also stabs OCD making it less powerful to you in the end. ERP unfortunately is uncomfortable and hard work, but it does work! I personally like in-vivo treatment where the therapist does the exposure with me, instead of “homework assignments” where I have to attempt to do it at home by myself (which I then won’t do because if I could do it myself, I wouldn’t need therapy!). If you have any questions feel free to ask!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello, unfortunately I live in the UNITED STATES, and apparently my psychiatrist /therapists never heard of erp . These doctors are the same ones that had me undergo ECT treatments . Do not possibly know of any resources that I may turn to. You mentioned not needing a therapist if you could do homework. Is this homework available to me? Thanks Johnny

[alyssuh in reply to Hidden]

The homework they give you is the exposure therapy. They tell you what to do and you go home and do it as “homework”. Then report back to them. I also live in the US and i can’t find any good psychiatrists who do erp 😕 i was seeing one last year but i was paying out of pocket. I wish i could find one to let me do the exposure therapy during the session

[Hidden in reply to alyssuh]

Hello , it would seem that doing the entire session with the therapist is the best way. Good luck and thank you very much.

[Strongest123 in reply to Hidden]

I do see a psychotherapist and he def uses ERP therapy in my treatment, in addition to CBT. I also see an APN that prescribes my meds and she’s helping me a great deal with ERP. She also gave me her cell phone number in case I need help, so I can reach out to her. She’s a beautiful person, her compassion is limitless. SAMSON

[Hidden in reply to Strongest123]

I am so glad for your recovery , i have an appointment this month to start meeting with a psychotherapist. Thanks for your help. Johnny

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hey, I would highly recommend looking on the International OCD Foundation website (iOCDf.org) to look for a provider. You can search by location and they really focus on providers who do CBT and ERP. Depending on the severity of your OCD, there are also other treatment options, such as residential (24/7 treatment where you stay on site), partial “hospitalization” (which is a 6-8 hour a day program Monday through Friday), Intensive Outpatient Programs which varies in hours and days per week depending on what you need. If you give an area of the country you are in (as specific or broad as you feel comfortable) and I can see if through my network of OCD people if they can recommend someone. I tried doing “homework” myself using The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Dr Bruce Hyman. Hope this helps!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hello, I just found a website, obsessive compulsive anonymous that have conference call on Saturday. I have an appointment with a psychotherapist at the end of the month. I am concerned that they are not familiar with erp as my psychiatrist does not know of erp. I am patiently waiting for that meeting . My lovely wife princess and I live in wellsville Pennsylvania, 25 miles from the Capitol of Pa, Harrisburg Pennsylvania . My zip code is 17365. I thank you very much for your concern about my family. Johnny

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The iOCDf.org only really recommends psychologists/LCSW/etc who specialize in ERP. I know Rogers Behavioral Health has a Philadelphia program which has Psychologists and Behavioral Specialists who focus on ERP, and they take insurance, which was a huge deal for me since it gets extremely expensive if you need intensive treatment.

I would recommend calling the new psychologist before you even go and asking if she does ERP so you can skip the time and money if they do not.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi miss suze23 , thank you very much for your help. I saw the therapist yesterday and they are investigating a referral to an erp professional. I believe that i should continue therapy for my other issues. Thanks so much for your concern.

[DogMonAF in reply to Hidden]

You can try this: ocdchallenge.com/. This is completely free. The Peace of mind foundation website is amazing and even has free web-based support groups twice a week - also free of charge!

[Hidden in reply to DogMonAF]

Man thank you very much, I will investigate it !