How do people continue to have intimacy and pleasure with Pure O (with themes that centre around sexual intrusive thoughts)? I haven’t had sex in a very long time but I obviously want to.... I’m struggling to figure out how to approach intimacy again. I can’t even pleasure myself without my OCD acting up. Please share some tips and stories!

Remember that intrusive thoughts are not a choice and happen to you. I know it’s really hard to remember this but they’re no more important if they pop up during intimacy or during cooking dinner! During intimacy, try practicing mindfulness. Focus on your 5 senses, especially touch. Kimberley Quinlan has some really good episodes on this topic on her podcast Your Anxiety Toolkit, check it out! Sending lots of good vibes to you ?

I'm trying really hard to keep my OCD out of my bedroom. My OCD has been a lot worse for the past 6 months and being intimate can be scary. For me, I get anxious thinking about it because I get scared that I'll have an intrusive thought (then the rumination cycle begins on why I'd be scared of sex with my wife if 1 3 years). But once I'm in the situation I try to be present and if an intrusive thought comes up, I breathe acknowledge accept and move on. Sometimes it's easier, sometimes it's not.

Maybe try to think about the thoughts while not having sex or masturbating and become a little more comfortable with the presence of the thoughts. Once you become a little more comfortable with them, try out some things and if the thoughts come up just sit with anxiety. You can slowly progress it but I can assure you the more you sit with anxiety and let it be while doing your thing the better it becomes

Thank you all!! ?

I'm not sure but I just came here to day I relate. Masturbation has become a difficult thing to do. Constantly interrupted with thoughts and feel anxious before doing it.

?