New Treatment and Hope for OCD sufferers
If you have OCD - obsessive compulsive disorder - you know how debilitating and (in milder cases), annoying it can be. The gold standard for OCD is ERP, which stands for “exposure and response prevention” It involves gradually confronting feared thoughts, images, or situations (exposure) while intentionally resisting compulsive or safety behaviors (response prevention) so that anxiety can decrease naturally over time.
ERP has been in clinical use for several decades, with its roots in behavioral therapy research from the 1960s and 1970s and more formal development and study for OCD through the late 1970s and 1980s. Over these many years, it has become established as the first-line, evidence-based psychotherapy for OCD, supported by a large body of outcome studies and treatment guidelines.
A few years ago, some studies were done with ERP therapy (standard) that was aided by tapping (EMDR) EMDR is a trauma based therapy and it stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. One of the key ideas of EMDR is that new ideas can be “installed” while stimulated (or tapping) alternate side of the body which stimulates REM (rapid eye movement ). This blog is a LOT of focus on LETTERS.
Let’s give a real life example. The OCD thought might be “I need to lock the door 15 times and I must keep checking it”. The obsessive thought is “I need to lock the door” and the compulsion is “I must check it” The underlying thought pattern may be “If I don’t lock the doors, I will be robbed my family will be killed and it will be all my fault”. It’s really important to get to that underlying thought and not just ignore it.
In the EDMR + ERP therapy, that underlying thought is recorded. It is played back to the client over and over and over (exposure) while bilateral stimulation (alternating taps on both sides of the body is applied. The level of distress is measured before beginning, level of distress from 1-10 with 10 being the greatest and the level of distress is measured during the process. This is repeated with small breaks over and over until the level of distress goes down to like a 1 or a 2 AND/OR the client rephrases the underlying thought or laughs at it and begins to reframe that thought.
The advantage of this added tapping during the exposure is that it can speed up the process. So instead of 90 or so minutes of repeating the experience, this time is often reduced.
To conclude the example, the client might state “I can do my best and let go of the idea of fault” or they might laugh at checking the door 15 times and reduce it to 2 times with confidence.
Why Combine EMDR and ERP?
OCD often involves trauma-like elements, where intrusive thoughts evoke overwhelming distress akin to PTSD; EMDR clears this emotional charge, making ERP more tolerable. Research supports sequencing EMDR first to process roots, followed by ERP for behavioral change, yielding faster symptom relief than either alone. Improves adherence: Clients handle exposures better post-EMDR due to lowered baseline anxiety.
Always seek a certified EMDR professional which can be found at:
https://www.emdria.org/find-an-emdr-therapist/
Disclaimer: The content on this blog is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this blog does not create a therapist–client relationship with you, and nothing here should be interpreted as personal clinical advice or emergency support.
Everyone’s situation is unique, and strategies or examples described in posts may not be appropriate for your specific circumstances. Always consult with a qualified mental health professional in your area before making changes to your treatment, medications, or support plan.
If you are in crisis, thinking about hurting yourself or someone else, or otherwise in an emergency, do not rely on this blog. Call 911 (or your local emergency number), go to the nearest emergency room, or contact your local crisis hotline or national lifeline immediately.