Question: when considering response prevention as it pertains to exposure for sexual orientation, what is the best way to approach the groin ? I know that checking the groin is a compulsion, but I don't know how to avoid doing so as it seems like I am internally capable of innate awareness of my physical self. Aspiring to "not be aware of the groin" doesn't seem like a reasonable or mindful method. Is not looking at or physically checking your genitals a proper response prevention? Is it recommend to just note any physical feelings and then focus on something else? Appreciate any insight and ideas.

I have ZOCD, and have intrusive thoughts and groinals. I've been really bad at reacting to them, and would avoid my cat. But today I got a groinal and I just let it happen, usually I'd shake my head and obsess over them. then he jumped up, sat on my lap and I stroked him, didn't push him away, didn't react. Still felt uncomfortable, felt horrible but the response became less strong. Is this the right way to react to a groinal? To just let it be instead of strengthening the pattern to react when it happens? I hate groinals, I desperately do, I hate the idea my brain has that I'm a danger to my cat and I can't go near him, but I know that if I react constantly to the groinals and yell and shake my head and move him as far away as can, it'll only strengthen them. I'm crying, I'm worried this wasn't the right thing to do.

Hi so i’ve been trying to figure out how to stop mentally checking. I’m doing better at not ruminating!! I realized that me responding to the thoughts it in any way makes me ruminate even more, so i took someone’s advice and let the thought sit there. i sit in the uncomfortable feelings/anxiety, i let the uncomfortable body sensations sit (groinal), i don’t engage, i don’t distract myself, i don’t avoid it (sometimes i notice discomfort and anxiety towards something and expose myself to it), i continue what im doing, i try to stay in the moment, and my anxiety will slowly go down. When i do those things the intrusive thoughts start to fade which means less anxiety and the compulsion loop and shitty feelings slowly fade as well. Im doing better at not googling for reassurance!! However, i notice that im still struggling with checking/mentally reviewing (my arousal, my emotions, my feelings, my attraction, etc). After years of dealing with OCD it’s made me really numb (NO libido, no attraction, no motivation, just numb). Im trying to get my life back and im living everyday and not letting OCD run my life anymore. I’m scared but im not at the same time, i REFUSE to let it take over again. All these years of suffering have literally prepared me for this😭. After years of pure numbness, ZERO attraction (still struggle w this), and avoiding everything, i developed a crush and im now in a new relationship. This has flared up my ROCD and SOOCD again, but when im with him i notice im able to be in the moment, feel my feelings for him fully (not all the time i mess up), but as soon as i go home or im alone, im already mentally checking and fearing the numbness will take over again. I start to ruminate and worry that OCD will make me lose every bit of progress i made, and i’ll lose feelings for him, ruining our relationship and sending me back to that miserable place i was in. if you read my previous posts you’d know how amazing and freeing it has been to feel these feelings with him. but i’m so worried my constant checking will make me even more numb. Even when im not experiencing any thoughts and not anxious, i still subconsciously check what im feeling and start to feel a numb, plain, knot in my chest if that makes sense? Like it’s a dull feeling? ANYWAYS my question is this, how can i stop mentally checking/ mentally reviewing (attraction,feelings, arousal,emotions, body sensations (groinal)) and how can i fix the numbness?? i’m willing to do anything!! idc if it’s hard i just need someone to give me some tips and ill try my best. also if you live in california, and have met with a therapist on this app pls give some recommendations i want to make a free appointment soon!!

Can anyone help me to stop groinal hyperawareness when exposing myself to triggering images?? Every time I look at them I get groinal hyperawareness and it’s such a pain that every time I look I can feel literally everything down there😔