Ocdandme123
- Date posted
- 5y
rachelrocks7rachelrocks7
- Date posted
- 5y
Therapists start out small, as small as can be and then have you work up and up from there! There is a term in psychology called "foot in the door phenomenon" where if you do a little thing, the next thing seems easier because you have already done something! Once you begin, you will find it is not as hard as it seems because it will be a slow progression, and you will build confidence and experience along the way that will empower you througuht your journey! The tools that you learn to fight your OCD will stay with you forever and as you grow more confident with using them you will accomplish things you never ever ever EVER thought you could! For example, I used to have a panic attack every time I heard a noise that even resembles a wasp, and I never dreamed that I would be able to walk through a cloud of 200 of them on a hiking trail, but after only a few months of persistent exposure I did it!!! And you can achieve things that once seemed impossible! I believe in you and I wish you all the luck in your ERP journey!!! :)
rachelrocks7rachelrocks7
- Date posted
- 5y
And the most important thing is try to be positive no matter what, I know not everything is positive but try not to let yourself talk yourself out of it! Whenever you find yourself talking yourself out of something, try to think of reasons TO do that thing! Reasons why I SHOULD do ERP: And complete the list :)
Ocdandme123Ocdandme123
- Date posted
- 5y
I know it helps so much but hocd seems like the one that is like never ending and never gets better for people. And I am happy with my bf. The last thing I want is me to find out I’m a lesbian and leave him ? I just want to cry thinking about it. Idk if I’ll the confidence to do it because I’m so scared. I know I have to try. Ugh. I know it could help me and could turn out everything to be fine and I still will still be with my man but the possibility of me not makes my heart want to stop.
ginacginac
- Date posted
- 5y
I have HOCD, and I’m currently in ERP. I’m not gonna lie, it’s hard, and I also fear that it will make me “realize” I’m a lesbian. But part of treatment is confronting that fear. And it’s 100% not true that people never get better from HOCD- it’s one of the most treatable, as long as you put in the effort. Solid examples of people recovering from HOCD include Chrissie Hodges (on YouTube) and Rose Cartwright (author of Pure). ERP is the only way to get better, and stay better. Be brave!
Ocdandme123Ocdandme123
- Date posted
- 5y
I know I’m being stubborn as hell but confronting my fear of being a lesbian could make me realize I am and then I lose the love of my life that I’ve been with for a year. That’s a scarier fear than fearing being lesbian. ? idk how to do it
ginacginac
- Date posted
- 5y
@Ocdandme123 I am in your exact position. I have a boyfriend who I truly want to marry, and I also fear realizing I’m a lesbian who has been in denial. But you’re never going to think your way out of this. ERP is the only solution. I have worried about becoming a lesbian every week since I started ERP in late September, but it hasn’t happened yet, even after many exposures. I have a long way to go still, but it works if you stick to it.
Ocdandme123Ocdandme123
- Date posted
- 5y
@ginac I know it’s something I have to do. I’m just scared shitless. Has it been getting better for you at all?
ginacginac
- Date posted
- 5y
@Ocdandme123 I was scared too, but anything is better than living with OCD. I haven’t been in treatment long, so there have been ups and downs. But I’m improving. Just make sure you see a specialist, because they know how to handle mental compulsions.
ginacginac
- Date posted
- 5y
@Ocdandme123 If you need encouragement to start therapy, read Rose Bretécher’s article for the Guardian (if you google her name and Guardian it comes up). She has HOCD, and got better. Her story might motivate you.
Related posts
Mariabae
- Date posted
- 24w
i feel stuck and with no feeling or emotions
i feel like I can’t even enjoy time with my boyfriend anymore. No matter what we do, I’m constantly analyzing, checking, and questioning if I love him, if I feel anything, if I even want to be with him. It’s exhausting. I don’t feel happy, I don’t feel present, and I don’t know how to fix it. I’ve read about ERP, and I know it’s supposed to help, but I don’t know how to start. I feel like my fears are too real, like maybe this isn’t just ROCD—maybe I actually don’t love him, and I’m just scared to accept it. It feels like I’m lying to myself. I know my compulsions: I constantly check my feelings, analyze past memories, compare my relationship to others, and seek reassurance. I know I’m supposed to stop doing these things, but what do I do instead? What do I do when the thoughts hit me with full force and I feel completely numb? I’m scared to sit with the uncertainty. I’m scared that if I stop checking, I’ll realize I don’t love him. I want to do ERP, but I don’t even know where to begin. Has anyone successfully gone through this? How do you deal with the fear when it feels so real?
Anonymous
- Date posted
- 23w
What the HECK?
what the hell? this entire day ive been trying to do ERP right? allowing the thoughts feelings, sensations be there with very little reaction, saying"oh that's a thought", "that's a feeling" don't care" etc. But it seems to be making it 100x times worse. Like its impossible to just"ignore" it, it feels so freaking real as if this was the truth, the doubts are real, the false attraction feelings and lip sensations are REAL and genuine attraction, feels ego-synotic, its impossible just to ignore or move on from it because I think I'm so hyperfocused on it all so it last the whole day. IDK right now it feels and seems as if I lost? like its not a what if but it feels factual like"I'm naturally gay, I'm gay" and it feels like normal and become ok with that. But I don't want that I don't want to be gay.
Lost in the ...
- Date posted
- 13w
Comphet
Chat GPT told me its more likely comphet than ocd Idk im scared Im scared that if i accept the uncertainty to know the truth once and for all 1) i end up actually turning out to be lesbian 2) I lose the guy i love (or i think i love idk atp) I’m remembering so many moments of same sex attractions from when i was little Im so scared im so scared Its too much
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond