Religion and sexuality OCD

P.s.: I promise that I'm not here to sway you one way or another. Only to offer advice to someone with ocd as someone else with ocd!!

@Ariana ♡ Hey I struggle with sexuality ocd and how do I even know if I am romantically attracted to females

@Ms.shelovesfrogs It can be hard to tell sometimes, but for me it was pretty clear and it's a lot easier for those without ocd, unfortunately. I said in the post it's pretty certain whether you would like girls- but sometimes there are so many layers to it that I realized some people go through that I skipped. For me, it's very black and white: I have never felt attracted to a man, and I have always felt attracted to women my whole life. And it has NOT ruined my life in any way. I have never been punished divinely- even though I am religious myself! What I have felt though is backlash from fellow humans who don't understand. Your romantic and sexual identity is purely your own. I used to Google so much the " am I gay" quizzes haha- but they only told me what I already knew inside, which was instinct, not driven by fear. You need to let the ocd calm down first and let the clouds part so you can find that out about yourself in a more clear lens. This is a really complicated concept with multiple layers of how you were raised and psychology so feel free to dm me! Remember to do your erp therapy!!♡ edit: also finding out right this moment is not necessary. Some people don't label at all!

@Ariana ♡ As a kid I always had crushes on men, then I started having intrusive thoughts about my sexual orientation and it has gotten very blurry. To the point where Im able envision my life with a man or a women. But I mainly see it with a man. But I feel uncomfortable with being with a women. At this point I’m not sure if it ocd or fear. But here I am stress to the max all day all night because of it. I’m also extremely insecure and I’m kind of afraid of being in a relationship with a man, not sure why. I think it’s a fear of opening up and be vulnerable. I don’t want to be with a women but my thoughts are telling me otherwise

@Anonymous Notice how you said you started getting intrusive thoughts THEN you got confused about your sexuality? That's a good clue that you're probably straight- but even if you're not like if you're bisexual or gay, learn to sit with the feelings. Erp therapy is so important because it shows you your fear but also shows you the power you have over it. In my eyes I see sexuality and gender as completely neutral, it doesn't matter what I am! You've said that you don't want to be with a woman and that your thoughts are giving you the fears. To me, that's ocd. Remember to do your erp therapy, you can do this!

@Ariana ♡ Thank you, I have to get really serious about ERP therapy, I’ve been putting it off. But it seems like it’s the only way for me to get better. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me

@Anonymous Of course! I also haven't done any erp therapy. My ocd is the most severe form, both in my life rn and in diagnostic criteria 💀. Not sure how to start but I'm sure we can do it!

@Ariana ♡ Sorry to hear that but I’m sure you will be able to overcome it. Everyone faces challenges in their life and this will be a step in the right direction. Wishing you all the best