So basically, after having a good past two days… I saw a man shirtless and it’s got me triggered, I’m not looking for reassurance… Somebody please just tell me what to do when I do feel triggered please?
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@Bigotina You hit the nail on the head! I don’t know why but these thoughts are obsessive, they become an image that’s burned into my mind and I seemingly can’t get it away… It’s so goddamn triggering to have this image in my head constantly, to be constantly checking for arousal… It’s exhausting. But everything you said was helpful and I just need to pay no attention to the thoughts
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@Bigotina Well, for someone with HOCD like myself. I guess you get plagued by thoughts of, “What if I found that man attractive?” And then you’re going down a rabbit hole of seeking reassurance and mentally checking and reviewing etc. and it’s just exhausting. I know it sounds really stupid but hell OCD hardly ever, if ever does make sense
@Bigotina Thing is though. 9/10, under “normal circumstances” I’d see a shirtless man and think absolutely nothing of it, it’s only when this anxiety spikes do the intrusive thoughts keep coming in.
I know right now i shouldnt ask for reassurance... and that its unhealthy... but right now i am so triggered by the events on my previous post and I just need someone to respond so so basly...
One problem - Various themes This is my first post. I had a relapse a few months ago. Life was amazing and then boom, I got triggered by something and started spiralling about my sexuality (having finally been at peace for two years, entered a healthy new relationship and come out of the closet as an older women). How do you, when you're not triggered practice ERP? I'm able to try and accept the thoughts every time I see a man. What should I be doing when I don't encounter these triggers. I was to say as well that I also am starting to get real event OCD about some of the sexual things I did in the past when I was married and in an unhealthy toxic relationship with my ex husband. I am shamed and disgusted and I'm working on it but there's a certain subsection of the LGBTQ community that trigger these thoughts, groinals and thing for me... I feel like I'm beginning to realise I need to maybe be a little more active in my recovery instead of waiting for triggers... But I don't know how
I’ve recovered from HOCD before and got my attraction and my usual actual identity back. I was recovered from end 2022- start 2025 until I got triggered UGHHH😭 My HOCD is REALLY trying to convince me and it’s SO annoying cause I genuinely don’t want these thoughts. I know I naturally like men and always have done so. I can’t wait for my first therapy session in two days Omg! I need your advice, not necessarily reassurance, but more advice? My HOCD is throwing random “proof” I did/ saw as a child in my face, which back then had no meaning in my life and I continued to live a perfectly heterosexual life. I’ve educated myself about arousal non concordance / child’s play, but it still doesn’t remove the HOCD. I’ve read therapists great explanations on how it’s not a sexuality issue, BUT ITS AN OCD BRAIN ISSUE. So basically I’ve been straight and i will die as straight. But my ocd is still continuing with the intrusive thoughts/flashbacks. I’ve had some moments where I haven’t done as many compulsions and had less anxiety but still had those damn thoughts and I DO NOT want those damn thoughts. I have so much proof and factual/logical explanations but HOCD is still continuing to thrive. I absolutely hate this and I feel so alone. I wish there was a reset button cause I don’t want these thoughts to happen. I want a man and I stand by that. How do y’all deal with these situations? Cause sitting with the thoughts is clearly not helping.
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