- Username
- Ben84
- Date posted
- 4y ago
You do not need to tell your partner about the content of your intrusive thoughts. You can disclose that you have ocd and explain a bit about how ocd works and how that effects your life in certain ways, but you do not know or ever have to go into the content. It’s not a matter of secrecy, it’s privacy. Your ocd isn’t a threat to anyone but yourself and it’s content isn’t relevant to anyone but you and your therapist.
I've heard that and perhaps you're right. I think I would have difficulty feeling like I was keeping information that could significantly alter their opinion of me. Thinking they might change their mind based on that info would make me feel like I wasn't truly loved for who I am?
@Ben84 It will feel difficult at first, especially because confessing is a huge compulsion for many people with ocd. But not confessing your throughts to your partner is actually good for both your ocd and your relationship. You want to keep your ocd and your recovery in your corner and not hold anyone else responsible or involve them. If they know you have ocd, then they know you have horrible thoughts you hate. There is no secret here to hide. They can truly love you and respect your privacy in this case.
@pureolife Not a bad way to put it. Thanks ☺.
I understand what you're saying. I think anyone with OCD should look at ways of explaining ocd to their new partner first. Just starting with "I have OCD about attraction to minors" to someone who doesnt even understand OCD would be alarming. OCD is really hard to understand for someone who doesnt have it so that in itself is a units worth of lesson planning on it's own lol. I think once the individual understands that, the topic of theme would be easier
"Lesson planning" lol 😅! Another part that makes it difficult is I live in a fairly small community and work with kids for a living. I'm worried there won't be a point where they'd understand and I'd lose my job and have to move 😓. I suppose I'm projecting and catastrophizing 😞.
@Ben84 I understand. That would concern me too. I think you also need to look at what you have to.offer and if what you find out there would be good enough for you too. Everyone has baggage. Not just you. Tru for now to just explore and even see what's out there. Might not even be worth worrying about if no one peaks your interest or what if you find someone super understanding? You know? Don't make yourself go through the concern twice if you can avoid it (although I know how difficult that is)
@catattak Thanks ☺. How are you doing these days?
I’ve often found when you really love someone it doesn’t matter what category of person you tend to be attracted to. I’ve had a number of friends who, for example, consider themselves gay, and wound up happily marrying a person of opposite gender. And in your case, it’s your OCD theme, not even who YOU are truly attracted to. Don’t even feel the need to share that you have OCD before you are ready to. Yes, if a relationship develops, that’s something you’re not going to want to hide if you’re even able to. But you absolutely don’t have to share your unwanted OCD thoughts. Maybe you’ll get to a point where you can and want to, but if not, that’s ok. I’ve been with my now husband for over 16 years. There were times I shared my unwanted images/thoughts and he freaked out, though didn’t love me any less. And there are times now, when I can share more without his freaking out because he understands a little bit more about OCD. Or at least he understands that there is so much of it that he’ll probably never quite understand. So only very recently, if I share that I’m seeing really violent images/thoughts, he knows he can ask if he needs to worry or if he just needs to comfort me because it’s just not a fun thought. Even then, I usually don’t describe the full details of the thought or image, partially because I don’t want to keep focusing on it either. Don’t let OCD tell you that you NEED to disclose anything. Confessional OCD can also be hard to fight. So can ruminating on all possibilities before you’re at that stage. Sending you strength! 💜💪🏼
Thanks 😊!
Im just so confused about the attraction. I feel like i’ve never really felt sexual attraction towards someone, or maybe i did i just dont remember. I personally dont really think im asexual. Maybe this is reassurance seeking but how does real attraction, or sexual attraction feels like? Im scared that my admiration for woman was actually attraction?😔 even though i had no sexual or romantic fantasies or desires with them. I can tell if a woman is pretty or attractive but i’ve never had any desire to date one. And it scares me. Like what if i’ve never been attracted to a guy? I dont even remember how does it feels like. Im so fu*ked up, like im 20 years old, my last crush was when i was 13 on a guy (even that my ocd makes me doubt) and i have these thoughts since 14. It got me in this early age when everyone around me were experiencing crushes and i DID NOT.
SOOCD sufferers! Do you sometimes worry that you're true attraction is your false attraction and vice versa? and that you actually dont really know what true attraction is but if you go with the unwated sex you will know? Ima actually really struggeling between finding someone attractive and being attracted to someone.... I'm a straight female (I think) and I recognise a beautiful women more than a handsome men. Like I wasnt really attracted to my bf's body before actually being with him. However since in my mind, the female body has "more" if feels like I'll feel more if Im with a women? ughh soo weird. Like I dont see a men's naked body and automaticcaly get turned on, I have to be intimate with him for that to happen? honetsly between that and the romantic feelings that I feel like are not "enough" it really sounds like denial even if my therapist really diagnosed me. UGH
Hi everyone, Lately, I’ve been feeling confused and anxious about my sexuality, which has been challenging to navigate. I’ve always identified as straight and am currently in a happy relationship with my boyfriend. However, I’ve recently started questioning if I might have some attraction to women, which has caused me a lot of anxiety. To be clear, I’ve never experienced romantic or physical attraction toward women in real life, but I have watched lesbian porn in the past. Now, I can’t help but worry that this might mean I’m attracted to women after all. On top of this, I’ve noticed a decrease in my sexual desire for my boyfriend, which only intensifies my concerns about both my sexual orientation and my relationship. This confusion is something I’ve never dealt with before, and it’s starting to take an emotional toll. If anyone has experienced something similar, I would really appreciate any advice or insights on how you worked through it. What helped you find clarity? Someone mentioned that my anxiety might be OCD-related, though I’m not familiar with OCD in this context. I’d love to hear from anyone with experience in navigating these kinds of thoughts or anxiety. I’m open to any personal stories, resources, or guidance on how to approach this situation, both for myself and in communication with my partner. I want to better understand what I’m feeling without being overwhelmed by fear. Thank you in advance for your support!
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond