What do you all do when you have a handful of tricky weeks? I’ve been feeling pretty good, but the last few weeks I have noticed my SOOCD and Pure OCD sneaking in and have ruminated a whole lot more. Just some background: -happily married to my husband with kids. -All types of OCD in my past, but SOOCD has been the theme now for awhile. -definitely having trouble considering the fluidity of the idea of sexuality in general. Also triggered by later in life coming out stories. -my SOOCD has been manageable but lately it’s just been in the background—like a mosquito—just there enough to notice and I’m definitely attaching meaning to the thoughts. Which turns into a cycle of rumination. Argh! - Returning to my ERP exercises. Is this what most people do? Feeling a bit stuck. Not looking for any reassurance just support—sometimes knowing I’m not the only one is a bit of the push I need. It’s just nice to know we all have each other’s backs! 😊❤️

Yup your not alone so many people deal with this but remember one day this will all go away and you will be back to your normal life before this

Thanks for the support😊

I was literally about to come ask for support for all these same things. I have a very similar situation to you, happily married to my wife but no kids yet. I’m triggered by the same things, sometimes it’s hard to have the thoughts go away. It’s almost a revolving door, every few weeks I’m good but then one week will come by where the thoughts are hard to ignore but it eventually goes away. We can beat this thing, it’s great to have support and extremely helpful to know I’m not alone. So thank you. Just keep fighting it and you will get past it. We can do this! Have a great day

Aww, I’m sorry you’re going through this too. Thankfully we are all here to support each other. We can do this! 😊

I know very much how you feel, and can be absolute hell. I’ve struggled with some pretty severe SO-OCD episodes and am in the middle of one right now (after nearly 17 years of essential remission). I’m also happily married to my husband. To have this come back so powerfully after so many years of happy and fulfilling relationships with men, has really rocked my foundations. Many of my triggers are very much the same as you describe. One thing that has helped somewhat lately is leaning into the fear when I have a triggering thought. Reminding myself that I have OCD and that intrusive thoughts and subsequent extreme distress are classic symptoms. When I’m leaning in I’ll often go with that crushing feeling in my chest and blow out all my air to the max, then take a deep breath. It seems to have a similar effect to the calming sometimes experienced in meditation. The key for me has been leaning into the fear and not trying to fight the thoughts (as incredibly difficult as this is). Just letting them do their thing until they’re bored. This has helped in the sense that at least my anxiety isn’t being compounded by the panicky anxiety that I get over being triggered. Again. Haha. You are not alone. You will get through this. You will not feel like this forever.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this too. Leaning into the fear is so much easier said then done (ha!) but it must be done. And thanks for the tip. And the support. 😊

I completely relate. I am married with kids and am very triggered by the same things as you. I am earlier in my recovery and know I may face the episodes I used to suffer thru again. I guess I would try erp again. What are some of the exercises you all do (as much as you’re willing to share)?

My main ERP exercise is writing a script, recording it and listening to it. Or simply writing out my worst fears and reading it and trying not to react. What are some exercises you do? It’s all so frustrating, but we’re all here to support each other! 😊