Acceptance of OCD.

I’m beginning to come to terms that I have OCD. I’ve been in treatment for awhile and never understood much about OCD, anxiety and maladaptive coping techniques/compulsions. It’s a relief to accept it and understand it better. One of those compulsions is having to know answers and figure everything out. Can anyone else relate to that?

[aadak18]

Absolutely can. Have you sought ERP yet?

[Hidden in reply to aadak18]

No I haven’t. Do you mind sharing more about ERP?

[aadak18 in reply to Hidden]

Not at all. ERP is exposure-response prevention. The idea is that you gradually, with the help of a therapist who is trained in ERP, expose yourself to more and more of what spikes your anxiety. It's hard to do, but it's the gold standard for OCD treatment because it works. Decades of studies back that point up.

To find an ERP therapist, go to iocdf.org and click on "find help" at the top, then you can search for ones near you.

Most ERP therapists don't take insurance, but don't let that dissuade you if you can. I think that for OCD specifically, one ERP session where you pay out of pocket is worth far more than 10 general therapy sessions that end up costing the same.

[Hidden in reply to aadak18]

Thank you!

[aadak18 in reply to Hidden]

You’re welcome, take care!

[Hidden in reply to aadak18]

The IOCDF doesn’t have any listings for ERP therapists in the area. However, I found a therapist that will use CBT and ERP. I’ve been leery with doing therapy again as I feel I want to be my own guide and not be dependent on someone else. But then I think maybe this too is an obsession/compulsion—trying to figure out the answers. Not sure but I’m going to roll with therapy.

[aadak18 in reply to Hidden]

Give it some thought. (I forgot to mention that ERP is a type of CBT so that makes sense.) Sometimes in life we all need help - it’s a good thing if you seek it imho

[Hidden in reply to aadak18]

What does IMHO mean?

[aadak18 in reply to Hidden]

In my humble opinion

[Hidden in reply to aadak18]

Got it.

[davidovergoliath]

I’m still trying to figure it all out after having OCD for almost 40 years. There is a lot about the road that I’ve had to take that I just don’t understand. I’ve had to live by faith. It’s left me not knowing exactly who I am. I wish you the greatest success on your continued journey.