**tw; mentions of pocd and harm ocd** Sorry in advance for the long post. I feel as if I should address pocd, because talking about it to people who understand seems to help me a lot. I’ve always had OCD, however, I didn’t get this particular theme until I was 17 (I’m 19 now) and a senior in high school. Pedophilia was briefly mentioned in my psych course, and my brain went absolutely nuts telling me “what if I’m capable of being that.” Similar things have happened in my past; OCD tricked me into believing I was a murderer when I was around 7 because of crime segments on the news, and OCD later tricked me into thinking I could be a serial killer, but pocd arguably is the worst theme to have and all of you that have it are literally the strongest people alive. On top of that, I’ve only ever been attracted to older adults, yet this theme still persists. I just want to go back to the version of me that I was before I got this theme. If I had a do over in life I would have never taken that course, it straight up ruined my life. I will literally take any other theme over pocd at this point honestly. Thank you for reading if you’ve gotten this far, you’re a very patient person lmao bless.

OMG YES, i’m 14 and i’ve had this theme for about 8 months. i COMPLETELY agree with you by saying i’d rather have any other theme. sorry if i seem crazy but i just agree with what you said so passionately lol

The same thing happened to me when I was about your age. I read a book that had a really creepy character in it and went “that’s disgusting, I sure hope I’m never like that”. Boom, OCD time. It was horrible and I struggled with it for years and years. I just want you guys to know that it does get better. It’s not you, you don’t actually want these things, you’re good people. We have a disorder and that disorder is not us. OCD, if anything, is an intruder. We have these thoughts because being a predator is exactly what disgusts us the most!

rightt. before ocd i was obsessed with caring for babies. it was my passion, holding them, babysitting, basically being a mom. i was known in my family as the one all the babies go too. and now welp

I’m not glad that you have this, but I’m glad you can relate! It’s so stressful like I wish I could just wipe my brain clean or something ugh ?

I am so sorry you have to do deal with. Especially at such a young age. I've struggled with similar thoughts since I was 13 on and off. That plus other sexually intrusive thoughts that are unrelated. It's so difficult because even thugh I know I would never do such horrendous things, the thoughts can be haunting. No matter what logic you apply, they can still creep in and be triggering. I'm so sorry that you go through this. It is possible for these thoughts to become less frequent.

thank you!!