Obsessions:
 

• Homosexual OCD (HOCD): Fear of being gay, even when there is no evidence or desire to be so.

• Intrusive Sexual Thoughts: Distressing and unwanted sexual thoughts about taboo or inappropriate topics.

• Relationship-Oriented OCD: Doubts about the authenticity or quality of one's relationship, their attraction to their partner, or other sexual preferences. 

• Gender Identity: worrying they are lying to themselves about their gender identity. 

Compulsions:
 

• Reassurance-Seeking: Seeking reassurance from partners or others about one's sexual orientation.

• Avoidance: Avoiding situations that trigger distressing sexual thoughts.

• Compulsive Checking: Checking one's reactions or feelings repeatedly.

• Mental Compulsions: Compulsions in SO-OCD often involve mental rituals, such as repetitive questioning or seeking reassurance in the mind about one's sexual orientation. This may include rumination, internal debates, scrutinising thoughts, conjuring up images in their mind to test arousal or to compare to other images to see which they are more aroused by. 

• Somatic Checking: scanning their bodily reaction for signs of arousal. 

• Avoidance of Triggers: Individuals may avoid situations or people they fear might trigger thoughts about their sexual orientation.

• Avoidance of Labels: Some individuals may avoid identifying with any sexual orientation label due to fears or doubts associated with their obsessions.

• Excessive Analysis: Individuals may engage in excessive analysis of their past and present experiences, looking for any evidence that supports or contradicts their sexual orientation fears.

• Compulsive Hypothesis Testing: this may include staring at others to test arousal, or some individuals might engage in compulsive testing behaviours, such as watching explicit content or seeking sexual experiences to reassure themselves about their sexual orientation.
  
   

Characteristics of Sexual Orientation OCD:

Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted Doubts: Individuals with SO-OCD may experience intrusive and unwanted doubts about their sexual orientation, leading to distress.

Questioning Identity: The obsessions often involve questioning one's sexual orientation or having fears of being attracted to a gender that is inconsistent with one's self-identified orientation.​

Intense Anxiety: SO-OCD often causes significant distress and anxiety, as individuals grapple with unwanted thoughts and fears about their sexual identity.

Impact on Daily Life: The distress may interfere with daily functioning, work, relationships, and overall well-being.​
 

It's important to emphasise that sexual orientation is a natural and diverse aspect of human identity. SO-OCD is not a reflection of an individual's true sexual orientation but rather a manifestation of distressing and intrusive thoughts. Seeking professional help from a mental health provider, such as a psychologist is crucial for a proper assessment and the development of an effective treatment plan tailored to the individual's needs. With appropriate treatment, individuals with SO-OCD can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.

 

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