HOCD update

Hello everyone,

I haven't posted on this board in a while. I'm a 38 year old man that's suffered with OCD for most of my life. In May 2006, I started obsessing over my sexual orientation and if I was gay and in denial. Currently, my HOCD is a shell of its former self and I rarely obsess over my orientation. I will get the occasional spike, but it is miniscule compared to what I endured circa 2006-2008. In 2019, I consulted a therapist to specifically address my OCD and visited him for two years. I practiced CBT and noticed improvement in how I addressed my doubts and obsessions. I wish that I could have conquered this thing in June 2006, but life had a different schedule for me.

It feels like I've concluded a chapter in my life (albeit a few recurrences) and started a new one. I know OCD will afflict me for the remainder of my life, however it won't defeat me. You all can beat this thing. It takes time and practice, but you can defeat it.

What a great update! So glad to hear you're doing well- and yes, it is beatable. I believe that currently at least, there's no cure for being OCD- but that doesn't mean we can't manage it, and manage it well.

That’s great news! And important for people to hear that OCD can get wayyy better.

I too, have brought my OCD from a 9/10 where I was on the floor of a bathroom doubting my past experience and if I was a monster, down to a 2/10 where now I get little spikes that I’ll jot it down for later if I can’t dismiss it in the moment.
It is possible, but there’s no quick fix. It takes retraining yourself not to react to spikes of doubt etc.

catnaps wrote:That’s great news! And important for people to hear that OCD can get wayyy better.

I too, have brought my OCD from a 9/10 where I was on the floor of a bathroom doubting my past experience and if I was a monster, down to a 2/10 where now I get little spikes that I’ll jot it down for later if I can’t dismiss it in the moment.
It is possible, but there’s no quick fix. It takes retraining yourself not to react to spikes of doubt etc.

You're right, that there is no quick fix. We have to consistently challenge these thoughts and state that they're invalid, untrue, pointless, dumb, nonsensical and unwarranted. I still spike from time to time, but I tell myself that this is pointless, and I'm afraid of a paper tiger.