SOOCD AND ROCD

@ZTValen Like I literally don’t know how I’d be taking on the identity as a lesbian. I’ve always liked men and felt a little curiosity/attraction towards women. So that’s why I’m fine saying I’m bisexual. I’ve never dated a girl before and I like the dynamic of a man and a women together.

@Ditto That's the thing, OCD blurs the line between what's real and what isn't. What's notable is it comes with a heightened level of anxiety. You know you likely don't want to be with someone of the same sex, but your brain keeps gnawing at you. What I will say is, don't browse places like Reddit - entering spaces for LGBTQ people is not a great idea. While they may mean well, most don't understand OCD.

@ZTValen You are so wise. I had a spiral after talking to my friend who’s bisexual (also in a long term partnership with a man and never dated a girl) and she recommended looking at bisexual/lgbtq content on Instagram.

@ZTValen I needed to hear this. I read articles and took quizzes as reassurance and took me to a bigger spiral.

@yessyess Exactly. This stuff sends me.

@Ditto Most of it comes from experience. I've learned a lot of my common pitfalls. In a way, we like to compare notes with other people - "am I like this person who is gay/bi/straight." That's part of our compulsions. Interacting with it as an exposure is good, checking and looking for reassurance is not so good. Always tread carefully!

@Ditto An hour ago I read an article of bisexuality and OCD and for a second I felt calm like I found an answer. But I’ve never been sexually attracted to women, but that moment of calm brought me to such a big spiral. I wouldn’t care if I were lesbian or bisexual, but it’s not what I want. It’s been a challenge getting back from that and added another layer of confusion. It came to the point where I was screaming and crying and my sister had to bring me back to reality. Taking a quiz to confirm I was straight was alleviating but I know it’s going to backfire me. Be strong!

@yessyess Not uncommon, I wouldn't beat yourself up over it. We already have it hard, it's not worth becoming your own enemy. Just remember, look for exposures and try your best not to seek reassurance.

@ZTValen It was irresponsible of me. I remember my exposure hierarchies from NOCD would be an article like this and I chose to read it for reassurance and took me to such a dark pit. Going to give myself grace.

@yessyess Literally have been doing this the past week and dug myself a hole. Ugh! I hate it!

Can confirm - Nocd was actually very helpful when I was going through TOCD. While I can't speak for the therapists - I'm seeing one that's not through Nocd, the people are awesome!

@ZTValen I’m going back. I saw them for a few months but stopped. I got overwhelmed with too much therapy. So I’m going back next week :)

@Ditto Good to hear! Therapy definitely can help on your road to recovery! Learning to beat one theme of OCD will help you in handling other themes in the future. I wish ya the best of luck!

@ZTValen Thank you. I’m pretty scared. I’m really worried. I don’t want to lose him

@Anonymous1234567891011 I’m scared because we want kids soon and I’m a child of divorce (bc my dad is trans) so I deeply value a strong family and two loving parents. I’m getting my IUD out next week so I think my OCD is heightening because we are taking a big next step and I don’t want to “make a mistake”.

@Anonymous1234567891011 Btw, I still love my dad and want him happy but he wasn’t a fantastic parent. We don’t really have a relationship these days. He’s emotionally draining.

@Anonymous1234567891011 I’m scared I’m not happy. I can be pretty codependent and don’t like bringing up problems

@Anonymous1234567891011 My soocd plays on my rocd

@Anonymous1234567891011 My brain heightens our marriage so I’m constantly analyzing our marriage. And I think is this because I should be with a woman

@Anonymous1234567891011 Thank you ❤️

@Ditto That’s TOTALLY what it is! My husband and I are going to Mexico to the resort we got married at for our 10 year anniversary and that’s what caused my spike. Big life events can set the OCD in motion. I was in recovery from my last spike 3 years ago. We have two wonderful little kids, too. So it is possible!