I need help

[Riverchick]

hi,

I just need to know , as we need to be careful with getting the right treatment ie. Erp because other therapy can be detrimental to us . What are we supposed to do if we need help with something else that someone without ocd may go to another type of therapy ?

[Lauragbr]

I would discuss this with your current therapist.

[deValentin]

Cognitive behavioral therapy for a substance use disorder, for instance, may vary from cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD, but they aren't necessary incompatible. Is it what you're talking about? A type of therapy for a comorbid condition undermining the effectiveness of the type of therapy one takes for OCD, like two drugs counteracting each other?

[Riverchick in reply to deValentin]

hi,

Thankyou for replying, I’m talking about other possible comorbid conditions and life problems other people might have talking therapies for. I don’t currently have a therapist at all

[deValentin in reply to Riverchick]

I'm going to give you my personal opinion, which is not to replace a professional opinion.

Everybody wants to live an overall satisfying life. The problem is that what brings you short-term satisfaction may not bring you long-term satisfaction. For instance, if you're triggered and seek mental comfort at any cost, you may feel relieved at first, but worse in the end. There are many means to seek well-being 'any old how' (addictions, reality denial or avoidance, phobias, anorexia, etc.). Once you start to give in to those unhealthy means to feel better, you're caught in a trap, from which it's difficult to escape. You self-confidence is damaged, which inclines you to escape reality even more.

All cognitive-behavioral therapies (ERP is just one of them adapted to OCD) enable you to refrain from engaging in unsustainable way to feel better and prompt you to engage in more sustainable way to feel better. With CBT you learn to gradually modify your thinking and behavior, which in turn will slowly change the type of thoughts that pop in your mind and of emotions you experience. So, in my opinion, all forms of CBT are helpful and compatible with each other.

[MarieGold in reply to deValentin]

As I was not attending any therapy session , is there any other way to overcome magical thinking ocd, as much I was trying I am into it deeply ,please give some suggestion

[deValentin in reply to MarieGold]

People engage in magical thinking when they think they can ward off bad luck by performing a ritual. An ominous feeling is compelling them to flick the light switch so many times, for instance, or repeat certain words. With exposure and response prevention, one is required to stop performing a certain ritual when triggered by certain circumstances. It's not easy because you feel uncomfortable at first and think something bad will happen for which you're responsible. With the passing of time though, you realize you can refrain from performing rituals and feel reasonably at peace with yourself. One needs to be patient because it may take weeks to get positive results, and instead of emotionally relying on rituals to feel good, one needs to gradually learn to rely on more sensible behaviors.

[MarieGold in reply to deValentin]

Thank you so much,As you said I will try to stop my rituals even it gives me harmful thoughts.I hope I will recover from these instance in my life,I am not sure that I am capable for doing this.My normal life affected a lot because of these things.I am always need my daily routine should be smooth,if anything happened unexpectedly I got depressed and made my mind that today will not be Good.I understood that it was wrong but I cant overcome this

[deValentin in reply to MarieGold]

You feel you can't overcome OCD because your self-confidence has been shaken. It's like falling off a horse. You may be apprehensive to ride a horse again because you fear it may happen again. The key to recovery is not to wait too long to get back on a horse. With good experiences, self-confidence will return little by little. Likewise with OCD. Try to behave like in OCD-free person would behave in the same circumstances. It won't always be easy, but you will slowly see your moods improve. And it's okay if you experience some relapses from to time. It's part of the recovery.

[Natureloverpeace]

Are you asking about getting treatment for a co-morbid condition? Is it something the OCD specialist is also able to treat? If not, the OCD specialist can work in collaboration with the other therapist.