Hello everyone, my name is Cameron Harris. In early February of this year I developed OCD. My OCD was revolved around my sexual orientation. I would do compulsions all day and night to rid me of my intrusive thoughts and sensations. It was horrible. On March 30th I built up the confidence to google what I was experiencing. What popped on the screen were 3 letters...”OCD.” I was relived but terrified at the same time. The next morning I told my Mom and Stepfather that I believe I have OCD around my sexual orientation. They were both confused and kept saying “but you’re not gay...?” I kept reassuring myself saying “I know I know but my thoughts won’t stop, I can’t stop thinking about it.” I burst out in tears because I was so terrified. I began looking at OCD YouTube videos on how to recover. I realized to stop the thoughts you have to stop the compulsions and do this thing called “ERP.” I had no idea what that was and began researching more. I started creating my own exposures and learning what mental and physical compulsions were. I began exposing myself and felt accomplished but I was still suffering. In late April I began the theme of “what if I never recover from OCD.” I was miserable. I had no idea how to expose myself and stop these new thoughts and began compulsively watching OCD recovery videos to make sure I was recovering just right. In early May my mother recommended I find a support group. I began researching and came across NOCD. I told my mom and at first she was a bit iffy because it was online therapy. I begged and begged and finally she agreed. I had my first appointment on June 2nd and began therapy with NOCD. The next 2 months of therapy were tough. I was doing exposures everyday for an hour. Listening to my scripts over and over and over. It came to the end of August and was still dealing with my obsessions but my anxiety was at a 1 to these thoughts and I said these magic words to myself...”Why was I so worried about this?!” From then on life has gotten so much better and had my monthly check in yesterday. My thoughts and significantly decreased as well as my anxiety levels in general. I still have the thoughts pop in about me being gay like once or twice a day and most likely 20-30 thoughts about recovery a day. I now wake up everyday appreciating how great life can be. I truly thank NOCD and all of you for your love and support. A happy normal life is possibly without being tortured by OCD. Anyone can get over it with time and hard work. If anyone has any questions for me let me know. God bless. - Cameron