HOCD

HOCD is Homosexual Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. It is not a diagnosable disease by itself. It is instead a particular kind of OCD which focuses on the question of whether or not one is gay. Usually a person who already has a diagnosis of OCD and has struggled with it will, for no obvious reason, start to question his or her sexual orientation. The question regarding sexuality becomes a new obsession.

Most people with OCD will center their repetitive thoughts around something like personal safety. Did they leave the oven on? Is the door knob clean? Then a behavior will follow to address that concern like constantly checking the oven or continually washing the hands. The mind may quiet for a time, but the thought will return and again influence behavior.

With HOCD, it is potential behavior that is questioned. Some types of obsessions center on what kind of person you are. For instance, after having a passing thought that you are so angry you could hurt a person, the question starts about how capable you are of physical violence. Could I do that? Is it possible? Can I trust myself to make the right choice? Could I get out of control? These questions drive a person to second guess the very core of who they are.

HOCD is the same way. A person in a completely normal and desirable heterosexual relationship will suddenly have a homosexual thought. And the questions start. Am I capable of that? Am I really homosexual? Do I not want to be with my girlfriend? I think I enjoy heterosexual relationships; am I wrong? Why am I thinking these thoughts? There are few if any outward signs that the person is struggling.

Without behavior modification, the questions can cause severe anxiety, stress and depression. It is important that the OCD suffer talk to a counselor about their thoughts of homosexuality. It could be that there is some past experience or some relationship dynamic that explains it and that could lead to understanding. Some types of behavior modification therapy are also successful in dealing with all different types of OCD. In any case, know that this is an obsession, it will go away and you are not alone.

Source: WhatIsOCD.org, Psychology Today