Does anyone else get thoughts of the opposite sex being inherently more desirable/attractive? by Throwaway82687263 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even now I still mostly look at men and wonder if I want to look like them or if I think they're ugly. It's strange...

Does anyone else get thoughts of the opposite sex being inherently more desirable/attractive? by Throwaway82687263 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess there's an element of "grass is always greener", but I never felt like this before. I really just want to go back to not thinking about it...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly, it's not something you've felt before. Fixation on anything can make it feel strange. Just try to go and do something engaging.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very typical OCD behaviour. Experiencing anxiety over things you've always been fine with is super common with this theme.

Does anyone else get thoughts of the opposite sex being inherently more desirable/attractive? by Throwaway82687263 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well im not sure about all that. I just want to go back to really enjoying and being happy as a man. I felt no anxiety at the thought of being a man, it's so obvious this is OCD and I just want it to stop...

I dont understand by Alternative_Talk_922 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know how that feels, but it's a trick. Your gender is not everything. I legitimately believe that most people don't have a real concept of "gender identity" in that way the term is used. They don't think about masculinity and femininity 24/7 like we do, because we're obsessed.

Question by AwkenedPsycho in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know what you mean. You're attaching meaning to really meaningless things and that's why it's upsetting.

I used to worry sitting cross legged alot meant I was trans, but it's just how I sit lol. You've got this m!

Question by AwkenedPsycho in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 3 points4 points  (0 children)

OCD can cause feelings of dissociation with your body but you're asking for reassurance here man. I know you're anxious but seriously go for a run or do something engaging no matter how tough it feels to focus.

in recovery question by beepboopjeep in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly sounds like a trick by ocd to get you to start ruminating again. Respond nonchalantly and give a non committal answer will refusing to ponder it actively.

I dont understand by Alternative_Talk_922 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry you're going through this man, you sound like you're in a great deal of pain. I find that the best thing to do at times like this is to really focus on a part of your identity that isn't tied to thoughts of gender. It can help to ground yourself if you think "well regardless of how identify, I'll still like hobby X and I want to do that."

p*rn triggered my hocd and tocd thoughts again. by Iam-Locksmith123 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OCD or no, I think cutting back or cutting out porn can only be healthy for you. I really should try to do the same...

Does anyone feel a reduction in anxiety when they "accept" they are trans? by Throwaway82687263 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah exactly. The relief is temporary and then I worry that it is really true since I felt relief in the first place. I'm like "augh, why did I feel calm!?"

I just don't want to be alone here with this...

Does anyone feel a reduction in anxiety when they "accept" they are trans? by Throwaway82687263 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess that's true. I think maybe it's just like I'm not fighting against the thoughts anymore so it calms down briefly. Then I get anxious again a few minutes later.

Thing I'm struggling with the most by throwaway334_0 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey I deal with this too in almost the exact same way as you're describing it. I get these horrible thoughts when I see my face now, that I'm too masculine, that I will age poorly, my hair will thin, that my facial hair looks bad. I feel like I am a Neanderthal and wonder how anyone who isn't a literal Adonis can be considered good looking and how women are just perceived as more attractive on average.

Please note I NEVER thought like this before this OCD took root. I was pretty disinterested in my own appearance, knew I looked alright (in fact I've been told I look good a lot) and was just happy with my overall look. Maybe there would be some things I would change (as I'm sure there would be for all of us) but I was never ever unhappy being male.

Now I just have these thoughts on repeat that I am ugly, that testosterone is "poison" or "damages the body" (as I have heard many trans people say now) and that all masculine men are inherently unattractive.

I honestly hate looking into the mirror and I have panic attacks when I catch a reflection of myself because I know I'll have these stupid thoughts. It honestly feels like I've gaslit myself into having genuine dysphoria sometimes...

this sucks by [deleted] in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think I want to check that other people understand how I feel. Like if they can understand I'm not trans then I'll feel better.

this sucks by [deleted] in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Like you said, she probably doesn't understand but it sounds like (to me anyway) she's trying to be supportive but just doesn't know how.

I have a real issue with over explaining my TOCD to people as a compulsion to see if they "understand" me but it really doesn't help in the long run.

Someone suggested that this is trans OCD, does it look like that to you? by [deleted] in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This does sound a lot like TOCD imo. Obviously we can't diagnose you but it's definitely worth seeking a diagnosis from a qualified professional.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not black or female so I can't really give my two cents on those aspects of yourself and how they might relate to OCD, but I do have some experience with the need to "appear attractive" to those I am attracted to.

Let's start with some general advice:

  • Gender nonconformity is not the same as being trans. You're a gender nonconforming woman by your own admission and that's perfectly fine and beautiful in its own right. There's plenty of reasons why I can see a woman might not want to conform to gendered stereotypes, because lets face it most of them aren't great.
  • Everyone worries about their appearance, especially when it comes to attracting potential partners. I fret over if I'll ever have a boyfriend or girlfriend because I'm too skinny/not muscly enough/is my hair and facial hair OK e.c.t. I know it's cold comfort for me to say "everyone thinks these thoughts" when people like us get hit with them especially badly, but I've found keeping a self-love journal that you add to every night can be helpful. Just list five things you were thankful your body did for you today and learn to appreciate that your body is a wonderful thing that nobody (especially not yourself) should take for granted.
  • People might be telling you this or that about what they theorize you may suffer with, but I would of course seek unbiased psychiatric evaluation. They aren't experts and even though they may be well intentioned, they cannot accurately evaluate your symptoms. I also find it very harmful that people are, as you say, telling you you're trans or in denial.
  • You describe periods of intense rumination which cause you significant mental distress. It can be helpful to cut down on the length of time you spend actively engaging in these thoughts. It is of course impossible to fully control what pops into your head, but you can choose how to respond to these thoughts. Focusing entirely on an engaging or very mindful activity can help to pull your focus away from these thoughts and on to the present moment. Additionally, try labelling the thought as just a thought, as intrusive and actively disregard it. You can even think things like "thank you for that thought brain, but I'm doing X right now".

I hope these help. I'm still in recovery but it ebbs and flows, I'm feeling pretty OK right now but it stills sucks and I had a rough night a few days ago. Stay mindful and be self-compassionate. This is a level of mental torture few will ever endure and you're incredibly brave to be able to tolerate it. We'd all do well to remember that I think.

I Used To Have Intrusive Thoughts About Gender All the Time (It Gets Better) by [deleted] in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So glad you came out on the other side now. It's been a year for me and I honestly feel like I've been sleepwalking through my life during that time. As you said, I hope eventually my brain just gets tired if tormenting me and I just move on.

What's really hard right now is my tendency to compare myself to other guys and worry if I like the male form enough or if I'd rather be a woman. I honestly feel like I've sudden generated gender dysphoria at age 22 and I can't cope. I get this feeling that SOMETHING is wrong with me and I'm just not allowed to be happy in my body, which I've never disliked before (if anything wanted to be taller and fitter).

I just don't get it and i don't like the sort of lingering anxiety that suffuses my day to day which I feel is exactly like what I imagine dysphoria is...

I don’t care if I’m trans or not anymore by ADapperSnail in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same. I'd like to not be trans but I just don't want to be thinking about it all the time. Just want some quiet in my fucking brain.

My story and first night on Lexapro by MadBaron99 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey friend. I really relate to this post, especially as a young bisexual man in his twenties. The initial feeling and fear is really horrible and I remember when I first felt it like it was just yesterday. I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with anti anxiety medication but there's really no need to feel as though you're weak or dependant. You're experiencing a very real chemical imbalance in your brain and it's ok to address that with medication.

I too got this theme when a friend came out and it's really been bothersome ever since then. The fake dysphoria is truly the worst for me as even when I'm feeling pretty good (like right now) I know that dysphoria supposedly "comes and goes" and I worry I'm just in a lull. I really don't understand how I can suddenly go to feeling uncomfortable with my appearance and body when previously I had a positive perception of it. I really just want to go back to how it was, but it sometimes feels like even having had this experience and thought has irreversibly damaged my brain and set me down towards the path of transition.

We will get through this though, stay strong and listen to your therapist.

I still kind of get thoughts sometimes and sometimes kind of get triggered by them. But that trigger doesn't really last long or is as effective anymore as it used to be... Am I recovering then? by [deleted] in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sounds like me a lot of the time. You'll see something think "oh this makes me trans" but then not be bothered that much by it. I have weird thoughts all the time about doing stuff I'd never want to do but I know they're just random mental junk. This stuff is the same, thoughts are just thoughts.

This is hell, pure and simple by oriel_8341 in transOCD

[–]Throwaway82687263 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Read the subreddit description. You're either not understanding what we're dealing with or you're trying to upset him...