It’s been almost A DECADE of freedom now. I am still in awe.
I got an email this past weekend from a lovely blog reader who has found victory over obsessive-compulsive disorder through exposure therapy. It’s such a joy any time someone shares a story of freedom, and it does my heart so much good. It reminds me of the reason I preach the benefits of ERP therapy. It reminds me of when I first went into OCD remission back in 2008.
But I also find it important to mention that while the person with OCD has experienced healing, it does not mean that they are cured. In the vast majority of cases, OCD is never cured; it is treated and maintained. What does this mean?
First of all, it’s definitely something to celebrate. I revel in my remission, and in fact, after eight years of this freedom, sometimes I even find myself taking it for granted. It’s a victory to…
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JACKIE LEA SOMMERS 
Congratulations Jackie! I’m so happy for you!
Congratulations on your Freedom Jackie. Im currently undergoing CBT for OCD (intrusive thoughts) and consider myself in remission for the last 3 months. I found your blog when i was in a very dark place and i read as much as i could. It helped me alot and im very grateful you do what you do. Here’s to another decade for you!
Awww, thank you, Richard!! And how exciting that you are in this journey too… before long, we will be celebrating a decade for you!!
LOVE this! Strive to have this level of achievement! Thank you for being such a blessing.
You’re a gem.
Keep up the good work, Jackie! I can relate with your post. Despite the fact that my OCD has been under control for… um… 2-3 years?… I still experience the urge to do compulsions in response to intrusive thoughts sometimes (especially during stressful days), but I rarely obsess over intrusive thoughts for hours now. CBT, especially cognitive restructuring, really helped me putting OCD thoughts into a different perspective. The first therapist I saw used a different approach, which I didn’t like at all… She just told me to stop doing compulsions, period. Besides that, I felt like her therapy approach wasn’t suitable for OCD… It was mostly about unconscious stuff, and I didn’t understand in which way such stuff would help me fight my OCD. I had to do exposures by myself. I’ve always believed that CBT/ERP was the best therapy a person with OCD can have, so when I didn’t get along with my former therapist anymore, I didn’t hesitate to look for a CBT therapist. Three and a half years later, I finally got my Master’s Degree, and can live a more productive life, without the weight of OCD on my shoulders.
You are such an inapiration, friend!! I am so proud of you.
Thank you so much! 🙂 ❤
Hey, hope you are doing well.
I invite you to read a post of mine where I am gathering links of warriors facing mental health challenges 1st hand to educate people, to raise awareness and acceptance.
I need help from you in breaking stigma.
Here is the link to post.. https://stoneronarollercoaster.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/mental-health-awareness/
Your participation can change life of someone.
Thank you 🙂