Some Important points about treatment
It should be stressed that treatment is a joint task between you and your therapist. Though some of the things you are asked to do may be difficult, you will never be asked to do something to which you have not agreed. No surprise will be sprung on you - in the end, it is always up to you to decide what happens. During treatment you may well find that your therapist asks you to carry out tasks which do not seem like 'normal' behaviour. For instance, someone who washes too much may be asked not to wash at all for some period. Clearly most of us do wash our hands in everyday life, but what happens in treatment is not necessarily to be taken as a standard for 'normal' behaviour. if someone breaks a leg, we put it in plaster, but this does not mean that we should all wear plaster on our legs all the time!
Many people find that at some time during treatment they are no longer sure what is 'normal' and what isn't. Don't worry if this happens. Once treatment has helped to reduce your excessive worries, you will be free to decide your own standards, standards which are not controlled by fear.
Most people do become uncomfortable at times during treatment. Do try not to let this put you off sticking to the agreed programme. If you can stick to the programme, the discomfort will decline as you improve. This discomfort is normal, and perhaps even necessary. You cannot lose a strong habit, which has grown over months or years, without any discomfort. It would be much easier for all of us if there were a completely comfortable form of treatment, but so far we do not know of one. Exposure and response prevention offers you the best hope of improvement.
Of course, there are ways of keeping the discomfort within manageable limits. Your family and friends can give you support and encouragement.
