So I’ve had HOCD nearly a year and still haven’t seriously thought about therapy. It’s gotten sorta better but nothing significant, I always end up slipping back into the cycle. I don’t really have time or energy for therapy but is it bad that I’ve just tried to deal with it on my own this long?

I’ve actually told my dad a few months back, but he’s since forgotten I’m pretty sure. I have a hard time admitting I need help and seeking it, and i also have depression and it’s the same thing there. I feel so embarrassed, like I let my parents down. We’re not rich and therapy is expensive. Obviously I’m also scared of finding out I’m not straight through therapy. Thanks for commenting!

i’ve personally been dealing with it for 3 years by myself! however, this year it got so bad to the point where i had to tell my family which then led to me getting all these diagnosis for mental illnesses and being put on meds. i’ve just started therapy and i personally have seen a better outcome. i’m not saying therapy gets rid of these thoughts entirely, but it is nice to be able to go to the same person every week and just vent about them. not sure if this helped but just know i’ve been there

Whatever you do don’t take in caffeine if you still are. Get rid of any caffeine. Take fish oil, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D, drink or take chamomile by tea or pills. Say gay 30 to 40 sec for about 5 min. Do not watch porn at all. If you’ve only had it for a year this should help you tremendously and don’t suppress the thoughts just say I am having a thought that I am gay and leave it at that just a thought. I’ve had mine for more than 4 yrs and had I known that the pre workouts, fat burners and coffee was going to make me worse I would’ve stopped with it before but I had ocd about being super fit and wanted to achieve my fit goals as fast as possible which caused this ocd but there is still hope for you bro so start with that and I promise you will feel loads better in a month bro I won’t promise it but trust me you’ll be fine.

Don’t over take the vitamins though start with small amounts of it first and after 2 weeks increase your fish oil intake by 1 more pill. Start by taking fish oil with one pill and the other supplements by 1 pill. Drink chamomile or take take 1 pill once in the morning once in the afternoon and once at night. 1 fish oil pill with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also go see a therapist I promise you they will help you stay strong bro just go do it.

And say the word gay as fast as you can for those 30 to 40 sec for 5 min or write it down for 10 min.

If you’re dealing with it on your own by doing the ERP then it’ll be okay but if you just let it be it’ll get worse and with even bigger problems. That was the case for me. I had contamination fear in my teens, dealt with it. I didn’t even know it was OCD. My mid twenties was mainly checking compulsions. Now I’m homebound with checking compulsions and contamination fear being the top two with other themes. With any illness, disease it’s best to tackle it while you can. You wouldn’t let a stage one tumor stay until it’s stage four to get rid of it.

^ wow that’s pretty scary but makes sense. Today I relapsed so hard after a week of being good. Started obsessing over whether or not I want to be anally penetrated (I’m a straight guy) Not fun. I really don’t have time rn to get treated but maybe I should try a little harder to make it happen

Wow thanks @bufferthanyou

No problem bro.