ERP has definitely helped my ocd tremendously. But when I do an exposure I still ruminate for a little and it’s hard to accept the thought and sit with it. Does anyone have any phrases or things that say to yourself to help the instructive thought?

My therapist taught me to say “maybe I’m xyz” or “maybe this will come true.” It’s definitely triggering but I found after awhile it helped a lot. It’s really hard but you can do it and you’ll be great!

Thank you! I will definitely try this

Did you ever struggle with libido loss and feeling attracted to masc lesbians

Definitely struggled with libido loss. And I find girls attractive and then my ocd kicks in trying to tell me I’m gay and I usually spiral after that I let myself

@sally_ I struggled with libido loss before I started erp therapy i has rocd and soocd but after doing erps I noticed my sex drive come back a little. But once I’m stressed again it’s gone

@sally_ Like did your sex drive feel non existent towards men. And did you find masc lesbians attractive

@Tan??? My sex drive just wasn’t existent in general because of the stress and anxiety I was having. And there have been timing I have found masc lesbians attracted but that’s not something I’ve noticed that has gotten worse with my ocd. Why do you ask?

@sally_ Masc lesbians are my main trigger! I don’t really ever worry about being attracted to pretty feminine women it’s mostly the ones who look and act like boys

@sally_ And you identify as straight correct ?

@Tan??? Yes I do! I actually have a boyfriend

@Tan??? I definitely have a few triggers with my soocd and it hasn’t been easy but I try watching a video of a trigger once a day

@sally_ So how do you deal with the intimacy part? I want to be intimate with my husband but it’s just when we start I can’t feel anything and I worry it’s cause I’m not attracted to him

@Tan??? I’ve learned the more you tell yourself you want something or wishes things could go back to normal it’s making the ocd worse. I had to really tell myself maybe I am gay maybe I’m not. Maybe im attracted to my boyfriend maybe im not. And as time when on I just felt my instructive thoughts be less intense. I definitely still have my bad days but im just trying to train myself to be ok with either outcome

Be careful telling yourself things when distressed this Can become a compulsion

I agree, and that’s why I try not doing! Since idk what to do instead😂 that’s what I struggle with. I try not determining an answer and sitting with the thought but it’s hard

@sally_ Look up CBT techniques; they are used for anxiety but it’s basically what you do when you do erp or any other time you’re spiraling in order to not ruminate or interact with the thoughts