Groinals are so confusing because I just had one when I was thinking about a guy and it felt the same as the ones I get that I don’t want (when looking at women) now I’m scared this means I’m bi

Thank you that helps- I think it has to do with the certainty aspect of OCD, if anything deviates outside of that certainty then it freaks out and jumps to conclusions

Not saying that you are “aroused” but in order to have power over the thought it’s important to know that even you were, it actually really would not make you bisexual. Everyone has these thoughts, but due to homophobia/heteronormativity and the like, not many talk about it. Your OCD is just hyper focusing on these actually really normal thoughts to try and scare you. Maybe it would be freeing to remind yourself that being not-straight isn’t bad?

@brynquin Yeah that helps me a lot actually- for some reason when I go through phases of being freaked out by it or just accepting uncertainty- I feel better accepting uncertainty honestly because if when I do the doubt doesn’t have as much to pull from, I hope that makes sense

@meg1234 Yes that totally makes sense! If you work on allowing yourself to sit with uncertainty and just being yourself instead of forcing yourself to “pick a sexuality” I think that’s a step in the right direction and will put less stress on you. Easier said than done of course, but something to work towards. :)

@brynquin Yeah I think in my case it’s more that I’ve always been comfortable in my sexuality/never questioned it, so I think anything that isn’t black and white makes me anxious but I think just being like “yeah that’s normal whatever” rather than reading into it really helps

Thanks, it feels much less intense than actual arousal but it’s still so confusing

Yes honestly knowing that sexuality is more fluid really helps- again I think that when you think about it as black and white that’s where the problems arise because it really isn’t that way

@meg1234 I have this problem too. I cant help but assume the worst when I think a woman is beautiful ???

@meg1234 Yup yup exactly. I think since that general idea is helpful for you a good resource to look up would be the “spectrum of sexuality” or the genderbread person.

@brynquin And another thing to remember about HOCD or Sexual Orientation OCD (because people of other orientations can experience this too), is that it also involves of the fear of deception or not living an honest life (being afraid of their whole life being a lie). OCD latches onto normal curiosities or even explorations for some and makes it into an obsessive cycle that is unhealthy. But I’m glad that you’re sharing what you know without immediately shunning people who go though this or screaming “denial” at things that you don’t understand.

@Esosa Yep! I think of OCD as a bully making every action I do seem wrong or bad in a way, I just tell myself and the OCD- I am only human!! Not everything has to be a certain way, I know what my sexuality is- my OCD is the one the does the doubting

@poprocks1 Same here

Yeah I kind of realized it’s just the OCD, before this I never kept track of when I was aroused, I just knew I was attracted to men, honestly it’s just annoying at this point

Me neither! Now it's just absolutely annoying!