Hey reply if relate or have solutions

So I don’t want this to sound weird or anything but I’m 16 years old and I have a problem my mind tells me that I’m attracted to things I’m 100% not attracted to at all and it makes me so uncomfortable and to be more specific it keeps telling me I’m attracted to kids and I’m literally not and it genuinely makes me uncomfortable and it freaks me out so bad to the point where I don’t even wanna be around children or even think of them anymore I’m so frustrated and disgusted with myself I can’t even explain and it makes me feel guilty for nothing and I’m not even that kind of person people who are genuinely into things like that disgusting me to that fact that I’m having this problem makes me angry does ANYONE have this problem or have any solutions for it I’m so frustrated

Susanna E

Date posted: Yesterday

Yes I am going through that and it feels horrible, but the fact that you're fighting the thought itself away makes it nearly impossible that you are such a thing . You have to try exposure therapy, facing your fears. let the feeling sit. It will feel real and uncomfortable, but time will tell you that it is not. I know the feeling is scary but you can do it. You're not alone in this, I am and a lot of others as well. Virtual hugs🫂

Mari2.0

Date posted: Yesterday

@Susanna E I should try that these feeling have made me cry and I hate it so bad I just wish my life would go back to normal

Susanna E

Date posted: Yesterday

@Mari2.0 - Yes I feel you its a hard and heavy thing to lift, have faith in urself, as well as compassion friend.🫂 Don't be too hard on yourself.

kee-stohn

Date posted: Yesterday

It doesn’t sound weird. I promise you, this is a very common theme with OCD. You are not alone, and you are not a pedophile. These thoughts are ego-dystonic and are not a reflection of you or your character. Please try to find a therapist who specializes in ERP to help you navigate these difficult thoughts. Wishing you the best, friend.

Mari2.0

Date posted: Yesterday

@kee-stohn Unfortunately I can’t afford a therapist

kee-stohn

Date posted: Yesterday

@Mari2.0 Try the book “The OCD Workbook” by Bruce Hyman & Cherry Pedrick. It’s currently less than $15 USD on Amazon Prime. It’s a great resource to learn about OCD and how to do ERP exercises on your own.

Vanessa✨

Date posted: 12h

I actually went through the same thing a while back. It all started just because there was a little kid riding a bike and I said “aw that kid is so cute” and then I was like “oh my gosh I just called that kid cute. Does that mean I’m attracted to kids that is so scary like I’m a horrible person or am I a pedophile?” What the heck! and it is very distressing to have those intrusive thoughts. I know exactly how you feel because I work in a clinic and I do see quite a few kids, and we do treatment on them and stuff and at that point I was very scared to be around those children because of the intrusive thoughts, but I do think it’s a good idea to look into ERP therapy, exposure and response therapy like the last comment explained it. You sit with the anxiety and let yourself feel uncomfortable, but instead of fighting the thought and trying to reassure yourself that you’re not into that. You sit with it and you stick with the uncertainty. I just started therapy too on this app and have learned so much. Trust me you are not alone. 🤍 I’ve been there and it does get better and as tormenting as it is, you are NOT your thoughts, you are not this battle that you are fighting right now. Those thoughts are NOT a reflection of who you are or what you want. Sending you virtual hugs you got this!!!!💪🏼

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