Sexual Orientation OCD

OCD Subtype

What is Sexual Orientation OCD?

Sexual Orientation OCD causes someone to doubt their own sexual orientation leaving them questioning whether they are attracted to the same sex. People who have always identified as heterosexual fear their identity has changed or will in the future. This subtype creates lots of anxiety as the person starts to ruminate about their entire life trying to find answers to whether they are in fact attracted to the same gender.

Sexual Orientation OCD

Common Obsessions

Persistent fears of being a different sexual orientation
Unwanted sexual thoughts and images about persons of the same sex
Fear of accidentally flirting with the gender opposite of their sexual orientation
Fear of being physically attracted to the gender opposite of their sexual orientation
Fear of having to develop a new identity

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Sexual Orientation OCD

Common Compulsions

Avoiding triggers that question their sexual orientation
Avoiding looking at attractive people that make them question their sexual orientation
Constantly reassuring oneself or seeking reassurance from others about their sexual orientation
Checking behaviors to see if they are attracted to the gender opposite of their sexual orientation
Checking for physical arousal
Watching porn to test their response
Having sex to “test” what gender they are attracted to
Avoiding having sex due to fears they will not be attracted to their partner anymore or avoiding sex due to fears of getting intrusive sexual thoughts during intimacy
Repressing unwanted thoughts and images
This needs to say- Repeating an action because of the fear it does not align with their current sexual orientation (adjusting their behavior, the way they walk, talk, or dress, etc.)