No offense but the idea of allowing your thoughts to run though your mind without resistance is complete and utter bullshit. It has made no difference in the amount of chronic sexual intrusive thoughts that run through my damn mind. I’m not a gay person, yet gay and incestuous thoughts run through my mind 24 fucking 7. It makes me sick to my stomach...all I want out of life is a beautiful wife and kids. Maybe i deserve this. Maybe I’m just helpless...

Listen I get that....but they’re so bad I can’t even focus. Class is horrible, church is worse. I just had a sexually intrusive thought about the priest...THE FUCKING PRIEST. I can’t take this anymore

@Anonymous I’ve dealt with that theme. I know what you’re going through, I understand how intolerable and debilitating it is. But I didn’t start to feel relief from them until I accepted and practiced doing nothing in response to them. Use me as proof that you can reach a place where the thoughts can occur and you’ll be able to recognize them as separate from yourself. No one can do it for you, you have to help yourself. Also, if you’re not on medication, I would recommend it. I regret not using it as a tool sooner. It doesn’t cure the thoughts, but it could have alleviated me of the panic that made a lot of life events unenjoyble for me.

@plathocd Just so my therapist can fill his/her pockets by filling a prescription? No thanks. I appreciate the idea but i refuse to put unnatural chemicals in my body. My mind is already too fucked up

@plathocd Listen it’s just scary. I’m scared. My whole life has turned upside down. And I know all the fear is fake but the panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, and endless conversations with myself are ruining my life.

@Anonymous Side note, medication causes ED in men, which I feel is only going to make my conditions worse

@Anonymous I understand. I resisted treatment for a long time because I didn’t want to feel like a “sick” person. But that fear was just a cognitive distortion in itself. OCD is something that affects you, but it’s not you or a reflection of you. Having that understanding is a powerful tool. You’ve already proven you have more control than you think by reaching out for help to begin with. I recommend keeping a journal. I never did because I didn’t think it would help, but when I feel like I haven’t made progress, I review old summaries and I’m able to see even the subtle differences in my thinking since undergoing help.

@Anonymous I was resistant to medication at first but I am so thankful that I finally talked with someone about it. My thoughts didn’t go away but the intensity of them subsided where I could process through what was going on. It may be helpful for you to talk with your dr to bring some relief that can help you to not be all consumed by them and be able to process and work through them. I get it it is scary!!!!!!

@jc61 Absolutely. There is a lot of fear mongering and stigma, but it’s a disservice to those who would benefit from it. There’s also a lot of misinformation about them and how they work. I don’t feel elevated or blunted, I just feel restored to a state that feels more like myself and that allows me to practice ERP easier for long term benefits. I’m glad you’ve found some relief with your treatment plan too!

@jc61 Did it mess with your libido? Attraction levels?

@Anonymous Not one bit

@plathocd That’s honestly relieving to hear. I’ll look into it thanks guys 🤞🏼...if someone wouldn’t mind fielding my question below I’d appreciate it

@jc61 I feel like I hear that all the time?

@Anonymous That is decrease sex drive

@Anonymous I’m not a male, but my partner is and he was on an SSRI for a length of time before. He didn’t experience a reduction in libido, and he was able to go off of it once he felt his theraptuic treatment was effective enough.

@plathocd I would look into that for sure then

I’m already seeing a therapist, but what is talking about it going to do at this point. My mind is basically numb. I feel like I have no feelings anymore. I can’t even look my best friends in the eyes 😭

@Anonymous I'm really sorry that you are in so much pain that you dont deserve. But maybe you could ask your therapist about medication since you compulsions and thoughts have become so intense. But I support you and I am glad you have made it this far you are so strong for taking on ocd.

@Anonymous Are you seeing someone who specializes in OCD? Not just has it on the list of things they treat, but they’re actually specialized in OCD?

@Sabrina Yea that’s why I’m on this app, I have an OCD therapist who I’m actually seeing tuesday.