I’ve noticed from being here for a short while that there are endless posts from people suffering with sexual orientation OCD, a lot of the posts seem to be compulsions masked in “does anyone else?” questions, or no questions at all and just statements (which is ENTIRELY understandable considering the uncertainty and fear that the sexual orientation OCD theme causes) but, I’m here to outline a few things that I’m sure a few of you need to hear (from a recoverers perspective) 1. I know that compulsions (such as those associated with reassurance seeking) feel so benign and ineffectual, but they are feeding your OCD... A LOT. I’d go as far as to say that ‘reassurance seeking’ was the one and only thing that was holding me back from treatment. I spent so much time searching/asking whether things were ‘normal’ and the instant gratification I got from those pushed me further and further away from ERP! So, look into the nature of compulsions, locate what yours are and try and stop them as soon as possible, I promise you, you will not regret it in the long term. 2. ERP is gonna feel worse before it feels better. It forces you into the corners of your OCD that you’ve spent so much time avoiding - it will feel like keeping your hand on the stove when your reflex has always been to remove it - sounds counter intuitive, I know (but it’s not, you’ll see) 3. Milling through memories trying to find moments that either prove or disprove your obsession is a compulsion, and is therefore holding you back. When you feel that urge to search your memories, DON’T - sit in the anxiety, feel the pain and wait until you’re more comfortable to move on with the moment (this is gonna feel impossible, and should only be a short term fix prior to ERP, anything is better than a compulsion after all) 4. As someone who has suffered with severe health OCD since the age of 11, I know directly how much OCD can distort reality. I could not count on two hands the amount of times I have convinced myself that I’m seriously ill to the extent that the sensations of the symptoms manifest in my body - lymphoma was one - I started to feel exhausted, weak, pain everywhere, pain in my lymph nodes etc, etc. This goes hand and hand with sexual orientation OCD. I understand that this could be reassurance, but the feelings of ‘attraction’ and ‘groinals’ (we all know them) are not real indicators when in the framework of OCD, so if you’re losing hope, understanding this should encourage you into ERP. 5. And lastly, the way that you are living right now is not okay. ‘Just getting by’ doesn’t equate to being ‘okay’ - quality of life is HUGELY effected by untreated OCD. Don’t mistake short bursts of happiness as indications that you don’t need therapy (this was another thing that kept me out), you do. You need the skills that you learn from your ERP therapist and ERP to aid you if you ever experience a ‘relapse’ or a big spike in your OCD. Trust me, it’s rough at first, but everything gets better. It does. You’re gonna be okay, you’re gonna be truly happy and at peace with yourself again.