- Date posted
- 2y
ERP / Staying Positive / Compulsions
I’m struggling with ERP sometimes because of the constant ruminating compulsions/giving myself logical explanations of why this is happening. And when I try to be compassionate with myself and say something like “don’t give up hope, there’s a guy out there for you.” Sort of talk. I don’t know if this is another compulsion or not? I’ve been struggling with this theme for almost 3 months now, and the longer I’m not putting myself out there dating like I normally would, the more it feels real, and then when I want to put myself out there, I don’t want it to do it out of a compulsion. It gets very upsetting, because the OCD just “wants to know” so it can go away. However, I never thought this would ever be a theme I struggled with. I do struggle with all my friends getting married etc. And wondering when my turn is. But from what I’m told, let’s say you ripped the bandaid off and faced the fear and went to the extreme of kissing the same sex or going on a date etc. It wouldn’t get rid of the OCD. I just want it to go away and live my life like I did before I had my initial trigger (reading a book that was about same sex romance). But the “what if?” Is so strong, and when people say to get comfortable with uncertainty, isn’t how you identity supposed to be something your certain about?! I think maybe that’s why I’m stuck on this one.