A question for pocd

Yes, it is entirely possible to experience a groin response automatically. In the context of OCD, specifically POCD this scenario is widely recognized and frequently discussed. Experiencing these feelings doesn’t mean you actually desire them, nor do they reflect your true character or intentions. 🥸

i feel you i have been struggling with this too :/

In my non-professional opinion, but as someone who has struggled with POCD for over a decade, I think this is possible. One way it's been explained to me is basically the brain & body disconnect. Like, if your body feels something sexual, it may respond (a child accidentally grazing a private area). It's not sexual, but bodies sometimes automatically react. Or the brain, I would imagine, can get conditioned to send the same message when presented information. Kind of like salivating when thinking about ice cream or cringing when thinking about road kill. But the twist OCD throws in is the anxiety & doubt & the whole cycle. So when presented with the same anxiety inducing intrusive thought (am I attracted to this child) the body might respond, even though there is no sexual attraction or arousal. This is something I remind myself often. I feel like when I recognize a POCD cycle has begun, I call it what it is & set my mind towards not letting what my brain or body is "telling me" run wild. I take deep breaths, remind myself that having POCD does not make me a pedophile & the more I focus on staying calm rather than trying to stop thinking or reassuring or making sense of it/trying to figure it out, the less time the POCD cycle lasts. Sorry for the long response & also if anything I wrote was triggering.

SOCD person here. I have suffered this with my theme as well but for SO rather than P triggers. Same loop though. Ain’t that interesting?!? It means yes this can happen and no it don’t mean nothing. I recommend you see a therapist that specializes in OCD treatment ASAP. That’s what I did and my life is much better now. Do not feel one shred of shame or embarrassment to explain your situation to a therapist who knows OCD because they’ve heard it all and will not judge you. They will help you. Above all do not seek reassurance of whether anything about P means anything about you. It will only increase your suffering. Hard to do. You got this!