I’m going to share my experience with hocd I think or not: About a year ago I was laying in bed and a random question came into my head which said “your gay” the. I was like what if I then my anxiety went through the roof then next Morning I forgot about it. Next I was getting to know this girl who I really liked and we spoke for months then suddenly she was not interested which then made me question myself and then got depressed. These question were is it because I’m ugly, am I weird, does she think I look gay, oh god what if I am and that’s when this started. I will get images of gay sexual acts which would distribute me and give me anxiety all day, from then until now I always get the thoughts and which give me anxiety, seeing gay stuff on tv gives anxiety so I can’t watch or do certain things, these thoughts or real life things give me groinal which is the worst and it feels like it’s on fire but is not full erected. I’m on google everyday doing research even at work when I suppose to be working, get dreams which when I wake up disturb me but I’m the dream I don’t know. Even when the thoughts go I always have this feelings of uncertainly which just invites the thoughts in. Pls help us this hocd or denial

Does this sound like hocd though

@10lewis10 Do you see the parts of the OCD cycle? You may be able to answer your own question

@NOCD Advocate - Katie I’m new to learning how to cope with OCD and haven’t been diagnosed yet because I haven’t gone to therapy. I understand not being able to tell anyone their sexuality, but could you explain to me how you are supposed to diagnose someone who has HOCD if you can’t tell them if it’s HOCD or denial? I’m trying to learn as much as I can. Thank you!

@breannanpace A clinician can (and after multiple conversations with the poster, my understanding is that one did). After receiving a diagnosis, repeatedly asking the same question is usually reassurance seeking. Here's an article on why reassurance contributes to OCD getting worse. https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/is-reassurance-seeking-good-or-bad-for-ocd/

@NOCD Advocate - Katie And here's an outline of the difference between reassurance seeking and information seeking. Some food for thought: An information seeker: -asks a question one time - ask to be informed - accepts the answer provided - asks experts qualified to answer their question -asks answerable questions - seeks the truth -accepts relative, qualified , or uncertain answers when appropriate - pursues only the information necessary to form a conclusion or make a decision. A reassurance seeker: -asks the same or similar questions repeatedly -asks to feel less anxious -:responds to answers by challenging, arguing, or insisting that the answer be repeated or re explained -asks people unqualified to answer the question -asks unanswerable questions - seeks a desired answer - insists on absolute, definitive answers whether or not it is appropriate -indefinitely pursues information without drawing a conclusion or making a decision This thread fits every single one of the reassure seeking traits. It would be harmful and unkind for me to give an answer

Ok. That's a clue it's an obsession, that the question never feels solved. Can you spot the compulsions?

@NOCD Advocate - Katie Yh because I need to ask certain things in my head to get relief and only for a while do I get it then back to square one