Dealing with the anxiety

No, this isn't another one of those "do I have HOCD" posts, so please don't write it off as one; I'm sure it gets tiring seeing them around everywhere. That being said, I'm pretty sure I do have HOCD, but my question isn't relating to the diagnosis but rather the coping.

Recently, I've been filled with anxiety, presumably because of the HOCD, and I'd like to get rid of it because it's having a serious negative impact on my day to day life. Here's an example: I like to read touching romantic stories and have always enjoyed connecting with the heroines, but ever since I self-diagnosed, I find myself doubting whether I really feel anything anymore. This causes me a great deal of grief not only because of the doubts relating to my sexuality but also because it creates a fear that I may never again be able to enjoy these stories again, which is a great shame because I really like them.

This anxiety's been building up everywhere and I don't have any motivation for school work and feel tired all the time, like there's always a weight on my chest—I've heard that depression sometimes manifests itself in these cases, so that might be what's happening. I'd really like to know how to regain my normal lifestyle or at least learn of some way to deal with this depression.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I guess some better advice would be how to completely get rid of OCD—preferably a way I can do alone without therapy.

I think the first step is going to see your doctor. Therapy is often recommended but at least he might start you on some antidepressant/ocd meds which will take a while to kick in.

Exercise is meant to be good for depression and with regards to your OCD, not constantly trying to question yourself.

I'd like seeing a doctor to be the final option and only if I can't figure anything else out. I've heard that yes, exercise does help anxiety, but only in the long run. I'm looking for some way to deal with the anxiety whenever it does come up.

However, on the topic of OCD, what exactly is the "C" part of HOCD? I know the obsession is with possibly being homosexual but what is the compulsive action? I've heard that the best way to get rid of OCD is to just expose yourself to your obsession and then restrain yourself from doing the compulsion.

If however you know of some other way for me to cure myself, that'd be greatly appreciated too.