Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a type of therapy specifically designed to help people deal with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It’s based on the idea that facing fears and learning not to respond with compulsive behaviors can reduce anxiety over time.
How ERP Works:
- Exposure: This involves gradually facing the things that trigger your anxiety or OCD. For example, if you have a fear of germs, ERP might start with touching a clean surface and slowly progress to more challenging situations.
- Response Prevention: During exposure, you learn to resist the urge to perform compulsive behaviors or rituals that you usually use to reduce anxiety. For example, if you’re used to washing your hands repeatedly, ERP helps you refrain from this action.
- Gradual Progression: The process starts with less anxiety-provoking situations and gradually moves to more challenging scenarios. This helps build your tolerance and confidence over time.
- Skill Development: ERP helps you develop coping strategies and skills to manage anxiety without relying on compulsive behaviors.