Gay anxiety
• &#;I&#;m fundamentally different, and don&#;t fit in.&#;
• &#;I&#;m not worthwhile unless I&#;m accepted by those I admire.&#;
• &#;I can&#;t be accepted by others unless I gather their expectations.&#;
• &#;If someone got to grasp the real me, they wouldn&#;t accept me.&#;
These are among the common core beliefs and underlying assumptions that generate problems with social anxiety, shame and depression among lesbian, lgbtq+, bi or trans (LGBT*) individuals in the coming out process. (*This is often referred to as LGBTQ, with Q standing for questioning and/or queer.) It is easy to see how young people who sense they are different in some socially unacceptable way could approach to learn some of these self-destructive core beliefs. Young people who are dyke, gay, bi, trans or questioning are especially vulnerable to this dynamic of social unacceptability and the unhealthy core beliefs, social anxiety, shame and depression that often develop as a result.
Although things acquire improved dramatically during recent years, peer and societal condemnation remains especially harsh&#;oft
by Fred Penzel, PhD
This article was initially published in the Winter edition of the OCD Newsletter.
OCD, as we know, is largely about experiencing severe and unrelenting doubt. It can cause you to uncertainty even the most basic things about yourself – even your sexual orientation. A study published in the Journal of Sex Research found that among a group of college students, 84% reported the occurrence of sexual intrusive thoughts (Byers, et al. ). In order to have doubts about one’s sexual identity, a sufferer need not ever hold had a homo- or heterosexual experience, or any type of sexual life at all. I acquire observed this symptom in young children, adolescents, and adults as well. Interestingly Swedo, et al., , set up that approximately 4% of children with OCD encounter obsessions concerned with forbidden aggressive or perverse sexual thoughts.
Although doubts about one’s own sexual identity might seem pretty straightforward as a symptom, there are actually a number of variations. The most apparent form is where a sufferer experiences the mind that they mig
Anxiety in Gay Men: Social Anxiety and Homophobia
People of all sexualities experience some sort of anxiety at some indicate in their lives, whether it’s widespread speaking or socializing with others. However, the LGBTQ+ group faces unique challenges due to the homophobia that exists in society. In this blog send, I will converse about how homophobia causes social anxiety and other mental health problems in gay men. I will also argue some coping strategies for dealing with the challenges of being a homosexual man.
Let’s start by talking about what anxiety is and why it’s harmful to our health. Anxiety is a feeling of dread or panic that often occurs concerning an anticipated event. It is an entirely normal human emotion that everyone experiences at one time or another. The trouble comes when anxiety becomes chronic, where it occurs over the long term and serves no function. Chronic anxiety can cause harm to our bodies in a way that can lead to physical illness, especially if we evade the situations where we feel anxious.
Gay men, in particular, can experience an additional element of anxi
Why am I afraid of my sexuality changing?
It’s completely normal to question your sexuality—many people execute at some point in their lives. However, if you locate yourself constantly obsessing over your sexuality, experiencing recurrent intrusive thoughts, and having intense anxiety, it could be a sign of a mental health condition. Excessive fears about your sexuality align with a common subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) known as sexual orientation OCD (SO-OCD).
SO-OCD is much different from genuinely exploring your sexuality and reflecting on who you are attracted to. With OCD, the brain seeks % certainty about who you’re attracted to—something that’s very unlikely to attain.
Keep reading to absorb more about how SO-OCD differs from healthy self-exploration and how to find the right support.
What is sexual orientation OCD?
SO-OCD is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder focused on concerns about your sexual orientation. OCD is characterized by a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are repeated, unwanted intrusive thoughts, sensations, images, or feeli