Post by avril on Aug 3, 2013 16:37:26 GMT
Hey everyone,
Very recently I've had someone speak to me about concerns regarding exposure therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder and I wanted to create a thread where we could have an open discussion on the subject.
For anyone who doesn't know or is unsure, exposure therapy is a way of treating most anxiety disorders, not just OCD. It works by 'exposing' a sufferer to whatever it is that makes them anxious in a completely secure and safe environment. It is designed to help you overcome your fears a little at a time.
It used to be very controversial although recently it has become a huge success, although it can be terrifying at first. Many people still object to it because of horror stories we hear in dark corners of the internet where people have been borderline tortured for the sake of 'exposure'. Also, it is often ridiculed in pop-culture as military style boot camps where OCD sufferers are dipped in mud and told to get over themselves.
I've never been treated using exposure therapy so I can't give complete details on what may be asked of you, but I am 100% sure that these rumours are just urban legends and a real medical professional would never do this to you. It may feel horrible at first because lets face it, you are confronting your fears head on, but everything is handled in a safely. That's the whole point!
If you don't know whether this treatment is right for you, I'd really recommend talking to your doctor and also finding someone who's been through it. I'd also suggest you watch the series currently being aired on BBC 3 as part of the 'It's A Mad World' season, called 'Extreme OCD Camp'.
The link to the first episode on iPlayer is here.
Believe me, the name may sound a little dramatic, but trust me when I say it will be helpful. In fact, for anyone who is interested in learning a little bit more about OCD and how it is not always about cleaning everything, this is a good show to watch.
But yeh. That's my little intro bit. If you have any views on exposure therapy, good or bad, I'd love to hear them. There is no right or wrong answer here and anyone and everyone is welcome to share their experiences so we can all get a better idea of what exposure therapy is like and hopefully help a few people decide whether it really is the treatment path for them. I don't mind a little passionate debate, you are all welcome to your opinions, but please try and be respectful. If it worked for you but not for someone else, don't tell them that they are wrong or whatever.
You know what I'm talking about guys *raises eyebrows sternly*, we're all in this together (oh gosh this is getting a bit mushy).
Play nice children,
Very recently I've had someone speak to me about concerns regarding exposure therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder and I wanted to create a thread where we could have an open discussion on the subject.
For anyone who doesn't know or is unsure, exposure therapy is a way of treating most anxiety disorders, not just OCD. It works by 'exposing' a sufferer to whatever it is that makes them anxious in a completely secure and safe environment. It is designed to help you overcome your fears a little at a time.
It used to be very controversial although recently it has become a huge success, although it can be terrifying at first. Many people still object to it because of horror stories we hear in dark corners of the internet where people have been borderline tortured for the sake of 'exposure'. Also, it is often ridiculed in pop-culture as military style boot camps where OCD sufferers are dipped in mud and told to get over themselves.
I've never been treated using exposure therapy so I can't give complete details on what may be asked of you, but I am 100% sure that these rumours are just urban legends and a real medical professional would never do this to you. It may feel horrible at first because lets face it, you are confronting your fears head on, but everything is handled in a safely. That's the whole point!
If you don't know whether this treatment is right for you, I'd really recommend talking to your doctor and also finding someone who's been through it. I'd also suggest you watch the series currently being aired on BBC 3 as part of the 'It's A Mad World' season, called 'Extreme OCD Camp'.
The link to the first episode on iPlayer is here.
Believe me, the name may sound a little dramatic, but trust me when I say it will be helpful. In fact, for anyone who is interested in learning a little bit more about OCD and how it is not always about cleaning everything, this is a good show to watch.
But yeh. That's my little intro bit. If you have any views on exposure therapy, good or bad, I'd love to hear them. There is no right or wrong answer here and anyone and everyone is welcome to share their experiences so we can all get a better idea of what exposure therapy is like and hopefully help a few people decide whether it really is the treatment path for them. I don't mind a little passionate debate, you are all welcome to your opinions, but please try and be respectful. If it worked for you but not for someone else, don't tell them that they are wrong or whatever.
You know what I'm talking about guys *raises eyebrows sternly*, we're all in this together (oh gosh this is getting a bit mushy).
Play nice children,