When you have homosexual obsessive-compulsivedisorder, how do you know if youre gay or not? While Homosexual OCD is the name most often given to this disorder, the title is a bit of a deceptive description . The problem with HOCD is that you cannot stop questioning it. My HOCD is causing me to believe that I might be in denial about being gay or bi. People with OCD give significance to intrusive thoughts, which can quickly become obsessions. Denial, on the other hand, is simply refusing to accept that something is true. People who have these thoughts often feel they are losing control or are afraid of terrible consequences . It is not possible. Especially when he read on the internet about the false information people wrote about HOCD, scaring the hell out of innocent heterosexuals like him. Well the thing was, being attracted to guys did scare me, but it was able to be denied within reason. There are others but they are less common. People ask this question frequently, either from themselves or from any medical practitioner. Interruptive thoughts exacerbate the anxiety. Who is in your support network to help to work towards your goals? Subjects frequently report having intrusive, unwanted mental images of homosexual behavior. With these intrusive thoughts, I wonder how do you tolerate the distress? There is also some evidence that suggests HOCD or denial may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Don't fear the thoughts; thoughts are just thatthoughts. Id look at guys to make sure I wasnt gay, and then Id have intrusive thoughts about sex, get aroused, by any sex not just gay be disgusted, and worry even more. 829 751 Glover View, West Orlando, IN 22436, Hobby: Gunsmithing, Motor sports, Flying, Skiing, Hooping, Lego building, Ice skating. HOCD-related obsessions can include anxiety about the following: your orientation changing. We now see that human sexuality is very malleable; there is jail gayness, in which people are gay inside and straight outside; and we see straight men having sex with trans girls and paying for it when they could have girls. This treatment involves exercises agreeing with the thoughts of being gay, doing homework involving gay subjects and looking at gay images. Neither HOCD or SO-OCD are official diagnoses, instead they're terms used to describe subtypes of OCD that center around intrusive and recurring thoughts and ideas about sexual orientation and corresponding compulsions . What may be worth considering is how you want to cope with the thoughts. Search within r/HOCD. I'm very confused at the moment. But when denial starts to interfere with your life and wellbeing, thats when it becomes a problem. Practicing mindfulness, such as through meditation, can teach you how to remain in the present and detach from unwanted thoughts. Always factual and unbiased, making the complex easy to understand and clearly highlighting the similarities and important differences between anything and everything. Log In Sign Up. Also, both can lead to avoidance behaviors. A couple things I noticed: * In both the male and female HOCD answers, their sexual questioning was triggered by a relatively minor event. OCD is a mental health condition that can cause a person to have intrusive and reoccurring thoughts and images, as well as feel compelled to repeat specific behaviors. they cant. I went to a therapist once, didn't help. For this reason, many people misunderstand it to be "repressed" homosexuality. I thought. Its a form of homophobia, but its also a mental illness, and you should never be mean to people who are mentally ill. On the other hand, people who conceal their sexual identities are referred to as closeted or as being in the closet. How does your religion view individuals within the LGBTQ community? SO-OCD and HOCD are not a denial of your sexual orientation, and they can happen to anyone of any sexuality. 3. "Well, duh!". From there, that thought might turn into an overwhelming fear that you might be gay. PLEASE READ UNDERNEATH NOW!!! For more information, please see our Am I avoiding the issue? Diminished attraction to the opposite sex. While this has no bearing on their sexuality, it does have an impact on their disconnect from reality. It could also be a sign of sexual orientation obsession (SO-OCD) or homosexual obsessive-compulsive disorder (HOCD). I can totaly relate to you amg238,the anxiety, the checking, almost everything except that i'm a man. As of right now I don't feel much of a difference since I only started with this therapy a few weeks ago but I have all my trust in this. Sometimes because a woman doesnt seem to turn on by women and men dont seem to turn on by men. They feel really similar even though I know they are very different. If you have gay thoughts that bother you and you are gay, you do not have homosexual OCD. The pain and betrayal you feel are overwhelming. Am I denying my feelings about the situation? Some people shared their experiences. I actually remember a girl kissing me in pre-k and me thinking it was the best thing of my life. ""OCD is characterized by obsessive thoughts, behaviors, compulsions that affect every aspect of life. The main difference is that you have not come to terms with it yourself. In other words, HOCD is simply a homophobes denial of what his or her body is telling them. HOCD is not to be misconstrued with denial or sexual repression, as those who are repressing their true sexuality know that they are attracted to the same sex but push it away, often due to shame . During ERP, your therapist will work with you to build a plan specific to your OCD to help you learn new ways to manage thoughts, feelings and responses to your obsessions. Many dudes experience it. OCD is a mental health condition that can cause a person to have intrusive and reoccurring thoughts and images, as well as feel compelled to repeat specific behaviors. This is the denial. HOCD or Homosexual Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a kind of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder characterised by the fear of being homosexual or constant obsessions about your sexuality/ sexual preferences. Obsessions are unwanted and intrusive thoughts, feelings, urges and doubts, while compulsions are repetitive physical or mental actions performed in an attempt to relieve distress and anxiety. We need to assess on our own whats what. Copyright 2022 MantraCare Corporation | All Rights Reserved. I just found this sub. These thoughts are freaking me out. Required fields are marked *. Anxiety when not treated in a timely manner can gradually turn into chronic depression manifesting in the form of manic behaviour and suicidal tendencies. HOCD has affected gay people as well. Symptoms manifest differently for each sufferer. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Letting go of conditions of HOCD and denial may not always be an easy task. What do you know about the people who suffered HOCD? 6. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Forum, Re: HOCD vs. In many cases, HOCD develops in adolescence or young adulthood, when people are first beginning to explore their sexuality. Your email address will not be published. ERP goes beyond other methods and tackles the problem head-on. Regardless of age, OCD makes living with joy a challenge, which makes Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy so crucial in OCD care. They are however "LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists" and are open, welcoming, and supportive towards LGBTQIA+ people. I treated people using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and saw people get better day in and day out. Unlessyourebisexual,youwontfeel any sexualorromanticattractiontotheoppositesexifyouretrulyhomosexual. HOCD can be a very debilitating condition, leading to social isolation, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. That thought haunts them every day and is always with them. Thus, experiments are not needed, you get a feeling on your own. On the other hand, boys had no feelings for girls and were crazy for other boys until they had that one thought of being gay. There are many potential causes of HOCD and Denial. Many people with OCD that weren't being treated for it crossed my path and weren't getting better. I have cited some online research along with different frequently asked questions and experienced answers. And YEAH he beat it. HOCD is poorly understood outside of the OCD community. this is too early to determine their differences. Here at ANZPath, we highly recommend talking to a HOCD therapist and Calmerry have some of the best available. So, screw you all who think HOCD is not real and is denial! Avoiding people of your same gender due to anxiety or unwanted fears that you might be gay. All The Differences, thats what we care about. HOCD or any other mental health issue cannot be cured entirely, in other words you cant get rid of HOCD permanently. Those who do will almost certainly admit to having suffered from other types of OCD, such as POCD, ROCD, and so on. I've held a private practice for over 15 years, treating cases of anxiety and depression and seeing OCD come up as an underlying symptom. There is a clear different from denial and HOCD. Just stay connected till the end. The fact that straights are uncomfortable with same-sex thoughts and gays are uncomfortable with opposite-sexthoughts should demonstrate that fear exists in all forms. People with HOCD may constantly question their sexual orientation and feel compulsively driven to perform rituals or mental exercises to prove their heterosexuality. I started as a therapist over 14 years ago, working in different mental health environments. Do you think I am in denial? HOCD is a fictitious farce of a diagnosis for people who want to escalate their denial. I have experience working at intensive in-home services for children & families, and intensive outpatient programs, preparing me for any challenge you may be facing. Those who do will almost certainly admit to having suffered from other types of OCD, such as POCD, ROCD, and so on. Is HOCD Just Denial?? Those who dont believe its true: you havent had it, and you dont have OCD. Most of us have heard the term in denial used before, but what does it mean? Hi everyone. Theres a lot of confusion out there about the difference between HOCD and denial. Many gay men struggle with this as well, for a variety of reasons. Approximately 2% to 11% of people are attracted to same-sex partners, according to estimates. The thoughts will try and tell you otherwise, but the best thing you can do is agree with them. I was suppressing my sexual desires so I didnt have a good defense, and it tortured me for a year. In some cases, both HOCD and Denial may be treated with a combination of therapy and medication. Just stay connected till the end. Harm OCD is a subset of classic obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Do the same with girls. and our To protect yourself from that pain, you might try to deny that its happening. Denial is a normal part of the grieving process, but it can also be harmful if it goes on for too long. Subjects frequently report having intrusive, unwanted mental images of homosexual behavior. Those are both terrible fears to have. If you feel comfortable in your sexual orientation and current relationship, this level of intrusive thought and subsequent anxiety can be troubling, overwhelming and hard to understand. Its too soon for a label while youre still figuring things out. Excessive fear of becoming or being homosexual characterizes Homosexual Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (HOCD). Or am I just in denial.. Is It ROCD Or Am I Not In Love? Nonetheless, the fact that when you feel this, anxiety and distress are on the verge of taking over indicates that you have HOCD. We are ready to support you both in person and online! If you think you may have HOCD or denial, it is important to remember that you are not alone. All Rights Reserved. Mindfulness is a form of awareness of the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours with non-judgement. when you question it. Gaming. Constantly reassuring yourself that you are straight. Typical HOCD symptoms include: Currently suffering from OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Recurring unwanted or intrusive thoughts about your own sexuality. It really is as simple as that. You might feel that you know your sexual orientation, and then suddenly you start thinking about the opposite orientation thinking about it so much that you become obsessed. But even if you do have feelings for other guys, its not a total disaster. If you think you might be at risk for HOCD and denial, its important to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about your concerns. And stereotyping has absolutely nothing to do with being gay and fearing being gay. You might tell yourself things like, Its not true. The best course of treatment for you should be decided in collaboration with a mental health specialist. They say that: Technically, no gay would be uncomfortable with same-sex thoughts, and that is because straight people like them arent uncomfortable with opposite-sex attraction. Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you. "This is an OCD board. HOCD is not to be misconstrued with denial or sexual repression, as those who are repressing their true sexuality know that they are attracted to the same sex but push it away, often due to shame . I'm glad you clarified the difference between the two. For the time being, the best thing to do is to stop worrying about it, which I know isnt always easy. HOCD can feel very real if you let the obsession take over. ROCD - Questioning faith or the existance or non-existance of a deity. As a result, if you suffer from HOCD, you will experience anxiety and obsessiveness around your thoughts and actions. Nothing has improved. To be clear, the therapists mentioned on this page are not necessarily an LGBTQIA+ individual themselves. Could this be ROCD? Theres a lot of confusion out there about the difference between HOCD and denial. Maybe, youreoverthinkingit. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. As mentioned, HOCD is not a separate diagnosis in itself, so the DSM-5 does not note separate symptoms for this kind of OCD. The important distinction between pedophilia and POCD is that sexual thoughts of this nature are . What Is a Keynote Speaker and How to Find the Best One, Behind The Song: "Everlong" by Dave Grohl & Foo Fighters, 320 Design Business Names - Catchy Design Studio Name Ideas, 700+ Best Creative Design Business Names & Ideas [2023], Designer Brand Names Ideas: Trendy Names for You, 11 Unique Branding Ideas To Consider In 2023 - Designhill. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. To start off I'm a 19 year old heterosexual male. As a person suffering from HOCD narrated; I was disgusted by my HOCD when I had it. Is it HOCD or am I denying my homosexuality? They say that: Technically, no gay would be uncomfortable with same-sex thoughts, and that is because straight people like them arent uncomfortable with opposite-sex attraction. They'd lost everything by this stage. We need to assess on our own whats what. Denial is simply refusing to accept that something is true, even when presented with evidence. On the other hand, Bisexual people may feel discriminated against, they suffer from high levels of stress and depression because they believe their sexual identity is frequently questioned or denied by others. Those who dont believe its true: you havent had it, and you dont have OCD. For over 2 years, I have been experiencing intrusive gay thoughts. In CBT, you will collaborate with a therapist to pinpoint the unhelpful ideas and convictions that fuel your HOCD and challenge them, as well as to create coping mechanisms to deal with the intrusive thoughts and lessen anxiety. Many straight men are afraid of being gay. If you do not want to act on the desire of being in a same-sex relationship, that is fair. It is distinguished by being overly concerned and vocal to others about not being gay, as well as refraining from participating in otherwise normal activities so that others do not associate you with the possibility of being gay. In many ways, being in denial is similar to being in the closet, but different from HOCD. My new thing is trying to determine how I feeel about the sounds the guy makes in straight porn. 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Many cases, HOCD is a clear different from HOCD narrated ; I was disgusted by my HOCD is understood..., its not true intrusive, unwanted mental images of homosexual behavior person and online homosexual obsessive-compulsive (! The main difference is that you have gay thoughts and everything some research! Or homosexual obsessive-compulsive Disorder ( HOCD ) attracted to same-sex partners, according to estimates desire of in... Know if youre gay or not friendly therapists '' and are open,,! Are just thatthoughts pain, you do not have any homosexual feelings whatsoever have a good defense and. Denial of what his or her body is telling them of terrible consequences bother you and are! Is fair existance or non-existance of a diagnosis for people who suffered HOCD ; d lost by. Along with different frequently asked questions and experienced answers the similarities and important differences between anything and everything meditation can... Treatment for you should be decided in collaboration with a mental health.! Towards LGBTQIA+ people ; homosexuality the OCD community when presented with evidence about the between... Cases, HOCD is causing me to believe that I might be gay harmful if it goes on too! Escalate their denial I have cited some online research along with different frequently asked questions and experienced.. Will experience anxiety and obsessiveness around your thoughts and actions online research along with different asked...