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 am so glad someone on NOCD asked about this! I have also found this to be very difficult and recently asked my therapist about it. She said it’s okay that you can’t control the groinal response. (For me I feel like I used to intentionally check for it but now it just happens.) She said when the groinal response occurs to simply acknowledge it occurred and move on. Don’t ruminate about what the feeling meant or guilt yourself over the expierence. I know groinal responses are intrusive and disturbing but they occur as a part of OCD attacking what we value by bringing up what we fear. I truly have found that sometimes I am in what would have been a triggering situation and they don’t happen anymore. I definitely believe recovery with this is possible. I just want to say this is my personal experience and may not be the case for everyone.