Guest guest Posted April 11, 2012 Report Share Posted April 11, 2012 Here is what I have come up with to start out with ERP for my son. I'd appreciate any potential problems you see, etc. (And yes we tried to do ERP already with a therapist! Son completely fooled him about how he was experiencing exposures.) Focus is on overcoming fear of Dad and thus Dad's " dirt. " Step 4 on Hierarchy: Hearing Dad's voice Taped Voice Book - chemistry Read emails Narrate trip to Goshen Read angry speech Read what Dad wrote: I read Dad's blog Son read Dad's blog Visual: Put up pictures of Dad in kitchen, study Put up pictures of Dad in living room, bedroom Put up pictures of Dad in bathroom Show movie of Dad talking in study Show movie of Dad talking in car Show movie of Dad talking at work Hear Dad's voice: Repeat taped voice sequence except live on speaker phone Repeat taped sequence except live in next room Thanks so much! Rhonda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Hello Rhonda, I think you have some great ideas here. My only thoughts is to maybe start out with the ones where your son finds it harder to cheat and not pay attention. For example, having your son read out loud is one where he has to engage and pay attention, whereas with those where he only has to observe or passively listen he might be more tempted to ignore or play mind games in order not to feel the pain of the ERP. I found that with my son I had to actively observe him to be sure he wasn't finding ways not to really engage with the ERP - for example, whenever he had to look at pictures that bothered him, I watched where his eyes were and reminded him when I noticed that he was no longer focusing on the picture. I also noticed that when he got more used to doing ERP and saw that it was helping him, I didn't have to remind him as much. Another thought: I'm wonder if it might be better to hold off putting up pictures of Dad around the house until the ERP is up and going. With my son, I could see where pictures might have made him angry, especially in the beginning and in situations where he wasn't asked to focus on the pictures but where the pictures where in his sight. In this case, the pictures might only add to the anxiety without actively contributing to ERP. But, I do see how pictures, like the one you plan to use, could be helpful sometime - I'm just not sure when. Hope this helps. Best, Joni > > Here is what I have come up with to start out with ERP for my son. I'd appreciate any potential problems you see, etc. (And yes we tried to do ERP already with a therapist! Son completely fooled him about how he was experiencing exposures.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Hi Joni - Thanks for thinking about this! That's so helpful to see how what seems like " passive exposure " could actually contribute to anxiety level because it's not a direct face-to-face thing. I tend to like " passive exposure " because it's easier for me! But won't be easier in the long run, right?? I think using the pictures to look at specifically rather than just putting up would change it to active and direct. Rhonda Re: my ERP plan Hello Rhonda, I think you have some great ideas here. My only thoughts is to maybe start out with the ones where your son finds it harder to cheat and not pay attention. For example, having your son read out loud is one where he has to engage and pay attention, whereas with those where he only has to observe or passively listen he might be more tempted to ignore or play mind games in order not to feel the pain of the ERP. I found that with my son I had to actively observe him to be sure he wasn't finding ways not to really engage with the ERP - for example, whenever he had to look at pictures that bothered him, I watched where his eyes were and reminded him when I noticed that he was no longer focusing on the picture. I also noticed that when he got more used to doing ERP and saw that it was helping him, I didn't have to remind him as much. Another thought: I'm wonder if it might be better to hold off putting up pictures of Dad around the house until the ERP is up and going. With my son, I could see where pictures might have made him angry, especially in the beginning and in situations where he wasn't asked to focus on the pictures but where the pictures where in his sight. In this case, the pictures might only add to the anxiety without actively contributing to ERP. But, I do see how pictures, like the one you plan to use, could be helpful sometime - I'm just not sure when. Hope this helps. Best, Joni > > Here is what I have come up with to start out with ERP for my son. I'd appreciate any potential problems you see, etc. (And yes we tried to do ERP already with a therapist! Son completely fooled him about how he was experiencing exposures.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Sounds good. Can't recall what age your son is. But assume you will go over this plan with him and the two of you choose which item or 2 to start with? My son was in middle school when OCD began and wasn't helpful in choosing anything. But I'd name a few things, pick what I felt and asked if he agreed, worked that way. Will he be in the same room with dad right now? If not, standing near the room/doorway that dad is in could be one. > > Here is what I have come up with to start out with ERP for my son. I'd appreciate any potential problems you see, etc. (And yes we tried to do ERP already with a therapist! Son completely fooled him about how he was experiencing exposures.) > > Focus is on overcoming fear of Dad and thus Dad's " dirt. " > > Step 4 on Hierarchy: Hearing Dad's voice > > Taped Voice > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2012 Report Share Posted April 12, 2012 Thanks I like those ideas. I hadn't thought of him standing near room dad is in. He won't be in same room right now. Hopefully soon. Rhonda Re: my ERP plan Sounds good. Can't recall what age your son is. But assume you will go over this plan with him and the two of you choose which item or 2 to start with? My son was in middle school when OCD began and wasn't helpful in choosing anything. But I'd name a few things, pick what I felt and asked if he agreed, worked that way. Will he be in the same room with dad right now? If not, standing near the room/doorway that dad is in could be one. > > Here is what I have come up with to start out with ERP for my son. I'd appreciate any potential problems you see, etc. (And yes we tried to do ERP already with a therapist! Son completely fooled him about how he was experiencing exposures.) > > Focus is on overcoming fear of Dad and thus Dad's " dirt. " > > Step 4 on Hierarchy: Hearing Dad's voice > > Taped Voice > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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