- Date posted
- 3y
- User type
- Staff
- Date posted
- 3y
What I see from a lot of people who have OCD is that they try to logic their way out of the thoughts - eg for instance by saying "don't other people do this? I swear they do!" This intuitively seems like it would help, but with OCD, it's never enough because there's always one more "what if". It also seems like you stopping moving your arms is a ritual because it temporarily alleviates the anxiety that you feel. Unfortunately the more you stop moving your hands, the more you feel the need to stop your hands in the future - consciously or not you are telling your brain that this thing (moving your hands, being gay, acting in any way whatsoever that may be interpreted this way) is dangerous and threatening and you cannot tolerate it, therefore your brain becomes even more alert and vigilant for this next time. This is how the OCD cycle can spin out of control. Have you tried moving your hands even just a little bit without additional ritualizing? Have you tried challenging yourself to watch the video on social media and then going on as normal and continuing to live your life without answering the what if questions? I know it sounds hard but take it one step at a time and know that the only way out is through. :) Good luck
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