OCD Is ruining my life

I first started having those thoughts when I was 14 (I'm 25 now) so I understand how horrible it is. I also had zero idea I had OCD or that it was linked to it until many years later so I truly thought I was horrible and deranged. One of the most comforting things about getting an OCD diagnosis is knowing that OCD by nature is ego-dystonic, meaning it tends to specifically attack the things you value most as a person. The safety and protection of children is extremely important to many people, so naturally their OCD latches onto it as a theme. At 24 I started working at a children's clothing store and I was petrified. There were many hard days. But it was the best way for me to truly understand I would never hurt a child, and my OCD latched onto that idea because of how much I want to protect them. This may lean into reassurance territory, but it's also an important place to begin your understanding. I promise you, the evil people in the world that are actually interested in children in that way have zero care for the harm they cause. The fact you're so worried about it indicates you're the opposite of them. My advice: don't watch any true crime content (this triggered me as a kid), and let yourself be around kids or watch movies or anything with them in it. ERP will have you do the hardest part, which is to accept the thought and continue with your day anyway. You've got this!

Hey hey this was me about 3 months ago It’s still tough but not nearly anywhere as close to how bad it was in the beginning It does get better You just have to trust that you know yourself better than this disorder does Also, I think one of the reasons why I’ve gotten so much better so quickly is that I quite literally wasn’t able to avoid kids seeing as that I’m studying to be a teacher. Avoidance tells your brain that there’s a real threat. Don’t let it tell you that. Watch that show with this kids in it. Watch Instagram reels of kids having fun. Go out to a mall. It will be okay 🫶

I had these thoughts when I was 13-14. Therapy and meds saved me. Try to get tested if you're able to. Are your parents supportive of meds/therapy? You can try to tell them you're struggling without going into detail. POCD is a lot more common than you might think, and most therapists are aware of it.

I’ve been where you are now. I also struggle with POCD since I was 17, when COVID hit. It scared me so badly because I was very good with kids. I even want to be a mom some day. When those thoughts came, I started doubting myself and avoided kids. Then, I got help and I was able to manage being around kids. I still struggle with it, but I have the tools to know what to do. I’m so sorry you had to endure this on your own. Remember, you are not alone and you have my support. A few pieces of advice: don’t engage with your thoughts. That will only make your OCD and anxiety worse. Practice ERP with small steps, such as making a script, then to online images of kids. I had to go through these and trust me, it was hard to deal with. But it gets easier. Trust me.