OCD - Are You Ready for ERP?
Mental health awareness: Cycle of OCD:
Stimulus ⏩ perception ⏩ intrusive thoughts (obsession) ↔️ distress and anxiety ⏩ ritual (compulsion) ↔️ temporary relieve.
There are many types of therapy under CBT roof that is commonly use for treating OCD but Emotional-Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is said to be the gold standard used by Professional Therapist where the main idea is similar to other behavioural therapy in which the change of thoughts and emotions will change the behaviour.
How Does The ERP Therapy Works
On ERP, OCDers will be trained to challenge their fear head on, expose themselves to their perception of danger which creates anxiety while at the same time learning many coping mechanisms to prevent compulsive behaviour.
What’s The Concept
Doing it repeatedly will naturally create a new perception that unlearns the fear by forming a new habitual pattern and eventually result in different behaviour.
Kindly note, this therapy should be done under direction and supervision from a professional.
Photo by Loic Leray on Unsplash
Does it work for everyone? Probably not, because the ‘give up’ rate is said to be quite high.
What Will You Need to Succeed ERP:
❍ Courage because it can be intense at the start and the anxiety may shoot to the roof.
❍ Patience to slowly let the discomfort subside and habitual pattern created.
❍ Willingness to give the therapy a chance
Activity:
Rate Yourself - How much of your time occupied by obsessive thought:
0 = None
1 = Less than 1 hour/ day or occasional occurrence
2 = 1 to 3 hours/ day or frequent
3 = 3 < to 8 hours/ day or very frequent
4 = 8 < hours/ day or nearly constant occurrence
Questions:
❍ What is your score from above? (share only if it's convenient for you ♡)
❍ Have you or your loved one ever tried ERP therapy? If yes, how did it go?
If not, do you feel you are ready to give it a try?
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Do you live with OCD and are interested in supporting others facing the issue? Please check if you meet the requirements to apply as Room Supporter here RSclickhere and to apply as Forum Supporter here FSclickhere
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