Posted by fca on September 19, 2006, at 18:57:50
In reply to One comment, one question... » fca, posted by Racer on September 19, 2006, at 17:45:33
form of CBT used specifically for OCD. It stands for Exposure Response Prevention which involves using imaginal scripts,or real life experiences, to systematically immerse your self in your worst and most irrational fears. It is much like the systematic desensitization used for phobias--successive approximation to the feared object. However, with OCD the fears (obsessions)are cognitive and the compulsions are behavioral. With the obsessionsal thoughts one uses very specific written scripts that "force" you to confront (imagine)your worst fears (losing ones mind, being gay, getting contaminated) by imaging those events in excruciating detail. It took the therapist and I two hours to construct my first 20 minute script. For two months I read, wrote(typed) and listened to the recorded script for 20 minutes(each) or a total of one hour daily.I am now doing five minutes each activity every other day. Snce I have "pure OCD" there were no specific behavioral compulsions I needed to work through. The classic example of working through a compulsive avoidance behavior is moving a person with irrational contamination fears from not using public restrooms to eventually placing their hands in a flushed toilet. One of the most esteemed CBT/ERP therapists in the country will lick the bottom of his shoe during the first session of persons presenting with contamination fears. Not to embarrass or humiliate them but to demonstrate what they will be doing before the termination of treatment. It is a challenging, rewardimg, demanding and intellectually stimulating form of treatment for both the therapist and patient. And, repeated studies demonstrate its efficacy. The sole purpose of all these activites is to remove the affective component of the thoughts and behaviors so they become "just thoughts" not special or fearful thoughts. Do it until you are bored silly as it is the irrational fear that perpetuates the thoughts,
Sorry for going on. fca
poster:fca
thread:686696
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060919/msgs/687487.html