Those struggling with HOCD, I’m here to tell you that it does get better. 5 months later (I know some of you have been struggling with this longer) and I have been relieved of my obsession. I simply stopped the compulsions and started facing my triggers head on and slowly but surely the obsession began to dissipate. Yes, I fret as to what OCD will disguise itself as next, but I know now that “this too shall pass”. God bless.

What helped you the most in your recovery? I know you mentioned facing things head on, what did that look like

@Immorethanocd Exposing myself to triggers. With this specific obsession, I had to confront my fears in ways that I never imagined I’d be capable of. The compulsions are what, ultimately, were keeping me from recovering though, simply because it was so easy to fall into a trap which lead me down the rabbit hole. It was a vicious cycle. But through mindfulness and educating myself on OCD, and finally being diagnosed with it helped a lot. I’m ready to face whatever this disease has to throw my way, just like in the past, before I even knew what was going on.

@marcovibes Wow, that’s awesome! Did that also help you manage the feelings of doubt that it was ocd versus you questioning yours sexuality

@Immorethanocd Like I feel like my brain comes up with valid evidence, did that happen for you as well, and was that combatted by what you listed above?

@Immorethanocd Yes lol it did happen, and continues to happen. I don’t think the doubt is ever going away. I’m simply learning to live with it. Nothing is really certain in this life, and I realized neither is my sexuality. It kills me how I just have to be absolutely sure about everything in my life. If not, I start wrestling with my thoughts which feed my obsessions. But I learned to simply not reason with them. I’m never really going to win. OCD doesn’t fight fair, so I simply surrender to it.

@marcovibes That’s pretty good advice. I just want to enjoy my relationship without ocd butting it’s way in. I get what you mean, I’ll definitely have to work on this

@Immorethanocd Good luck and God bless.

You’re right. I’m at the point where I feel like if I don’t fight with my thoughts that’s proof I’m gay, so I most definitely have a long way to go! Have you been able to better experience romantic relationships?

@Immorethanocd Hi. Sorry for the late reply, but yeah, I’m able to be involved with the opposite sex better now. But I’m barely recovering from this setback, so I have yet to be in a romantic relationship. I’m a little scared it might turn into ROCD, but even then, I’m confident I’ll get through it. Wish you the best on your journey.