Is it common for OCD to manifest as a fear of being attracted to someone? I literally fear I could be attracted to kids, family members, friends, roommates, animals, and it’s so horrible. I don’t know who I am anymore, I feel like these thoughts reflect who I am, I don’t WANT to feel attracted to anyone except my long term boyfriend who I love SO much. If I really was just a normal person why would I have all these disgusting thoughts? This post could be reassurance seeking but I just feel like such a freak and I don’t even know if this is OCD. I just want to know that someone else feels this way so we can help each other to get better ?

Yeah, I get that. I was wondering though if many people find it presents as a fear that you could be secretly attracted or something

When I was in middle school, I had OCD that I was attracted to my dad, my brother, my choir teacher (who was a jerk,) my dog, my sister, my friends.... yeah. I know how frustrating that is!!

@Yayfortherapy Wow, that’s really interesting to hear! I’m really relieved that I’m not alone in this, thank you for being so honest! How are you dealing now with this type of OCD? Do the thoughts still bother you?

@199903 Yeah! You are definitely not alone. I felt so scared about it and like such a creep when I went through that. I just got instrusive thoughts about what people looked like naked and stuff like that and it made me feel so gross. Are you working with an OCD therapist on this? I think it would help so much.

@Yayfortherapy To answer your other question, I don’t really have this type of OCD any more. At least, it’s very rare. And when it does come up, it doesn’t bother me too much. I think that’s mostly due to the ERP treatment!

@Yayfortherapy I’m so happy to hear that! Would you mind if I asked about your exposures for this theme?

@Yayfortherapy Sorry, I didn’t see your above post! I’ve had similar thoughts, it’s really a relief to hear I’m not alone. I just started ERP this week! I’ve been keeping an obsession / compulsion log for my psychologist to review later this week, then we start exposures. I’m very nervous ?

@199903 I’m soooo excited for you. The exposures will be scary at first but then your OCD will start getting better... it’s an AMAZING feeling!! Some exposures that I would do for that type of OCD, I would probably write “maybe I’m attracted to my sister, I’ll never know for sure.” Then I might read that over and over without doing any compulsions. That’s just an example. Your therapist will be a good teammate to help you think of exposures!