Growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, I became very aware of how culture and a sense of “otherness” shape identity. That background often comes to mind in my work with people experiencing HOCD (Homosexual OCD), because intrusive thoughts about sexuality never happen in a vacuum. They’re filtered through culture, family background, religion and personal … Read more

Today I want to talk about recovering from HOCD, and let you know what that looks like. It’s usually one of the first few questions clients ask me; when will I get better, and some end up back in session with me, months later thinking they did not get better when the problem was that … Read more

It’s quite common for people with HOCD to notice that their fears shift over time. ADAA notes that people with OCD can have multiple sub-types so it is not unusual if you find the content of your obsessions can change. One day the worry is about sexuality, the next it might be about relationships, health, … Read more

When people hear the term HOCD, they often think of it as something that only affects straight people who fear they might secretly be gay. In reality, it’s much broader than that. HOCD, or sexual orientation OCD, can affect anyone — including people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, non-binary or trans. This study … Read more

If you’ve found this page because you keep questioning your sexual orientation, or you’re frightened by thoughts that don’t seem to match who you are, I want you to know that you’re not on your own. I’ve seen this so many times in my work with people who have OCD, and it can feel terrifying … Read more

When people come to me with HOCD, what they often want—understandably—is certainty. They want to know what their thoughts mean. They want clarity about who they are. And they want the fear to stop. I always tell them the same thing: HOCD isn’t about your sexual identity; rather it is to do with what your brain does … Read more