Gay denial
by Fred Penzel, PhD
This article was initially published in the Winter 2007 edition of the OCD Newsletter.
OCD, as we know, is largely about experiencing serious and unrelenting suspect. It can generate you to suspect even the most basic things about yourself – even your sexual orientation. A 1998 revise published in the Journal of Sex Research found that among a team of 171 college students, 84% reported the occurrence of sexual intrusive thoughts (Byers, et al. 1998). In request to have doubts about one’s sexual identity, a sufferer need not ever have had a homo- or heterosexual experience, or any type of sexual experience at all. I have observed this symptom in young children, adolescents, and adults as adequately. Interestingly Swedo, et al., 1989, set up that approximately 4% of children with OCD experience obsessions concerned with forbidden aggressive or perverse sexual thoughts.
Although doubts about one’s hold sexual identity might seem pretty straightforward as a symptom, there are actually a number of variations. The most obvious form is where a sufferer experiences the idea that they might be of a different sexual orientation than they formerly believed. If the su
(CBS News) Do homophobic people actually fear their retain unconscious feelings? A fresh study suggests that people who repress their control sexual attraction to the same sex are more likely to express hostility towards gays.
"In many cases these are people who are at war with themselves and they are turning this internal dispute outward," study co-author Dr. Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, said in a university written statement.
In four separate experiments conducted in the U.S. and in Germany, each involving an average of 160 college students, researchers attempted to measure any differences between what people utter about their sexual orientation and how they actually react. Their findings are published in the April issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
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For one experiment, researchers used word and picture tests to subliminally prime participants with either the synonyms "me" or "others," and then asking them to place the words and images into "gay" or "straight" categories. A second experiment had pa
Do I have HOCD or am I in denial?
Thanks for sharing your questions and concerns. I’m sorry to hear you are struggling.
First you mentioned about having HOCD-which are undesirable, intrusive thoughts that you might want to be in a relationship with a person of the same sex, despite entity straight. From your paragraph, I understand that you identify as a female with a desire to have a boyfriend. However, intrusive thoughts that you may be gay come in your thought stream. These intrusive thoughts also generate distress. There are days that you cope successfully with the intrusive thoughts and there are days that the thoughts are more difficult to direct. I’m curious to overhear on the better days:
- What do you do to cope?
- How can you utilize these skills to bridge through the less positive days?
It is also significant to note that thoughts are just thoughts, it does not directly translate to action. Thoughts and actions are separate things. Just because you may have certain thoughts, that does not necessarily intend that you would proceed out those thoughts. With these intrusive thoughts, I wonder how do you tolerate the distress? What are some self-soothing activities you engage in? Mindfulness practic
“Harry! Have some self respect!” Liam exclaimed. “He’s picking on you for no reason! I don’t take care if you have a crush on him or not. That was uncalled for!”
“His friends started it. They made him execute it," Harry insisted.
“No buddy would treat you appreciate that. Why are you still defending him?”
“Because - because -,” Harry frowned, trying to come up with a legitimate reason aside from his gut feeling.
“Because he actually has a crush on Louis, don’t you?” Niall asked, voice quiet and careful.
Harry didn’t protest, but he also didn’t agree. He wasn’t sure what he felt toward Louis. How could he possibly still have feelings for someone who acted so vile towards him? For someone so selfish? For someone so...
“Cowardly,” Harry mumbled.
“What?”
“He’s scared,” Harry realized, eyes wide. “He’s so scared. Can’t you observe it? It’s not just his friends. It’s - it's his dad.”
. . .
Or where Harry and Louis are next door neighbors and grow up dancing between enemies and friends and crushes and lovers.
Notoble mentions: when Harry comforts Louis endlessly. when Lottie walks in on an awkward situation. when first time anal leads to the ER...and more!
Internalised homophobia and oppression happens to same-sex attracted, lesbian and attracted to both genders people, and even heterosexuals, who contain learned and been taught that heterosexuality is the norm and “correct way to be”. Hearing and seeing negative depictions of LGB people can clue us to internalise, or take in, these negative messages. Some LGB people suffer from mental distress as a result.
A general perception of personal worth and also a positive view of your sexual orientation are critical for your mental health. You, like many lesbian, gay and bisexual people, may have hidden your sexual orientation for a long period. Research carried out in Northern Ireland into the needs of young LGBT people in 2003 revealed that the average age for men to realise their sexual orientation was 12, yet the average age they actually confided in someone was 17. It is during these formative years when people are coming to understand and confirm their sexual orientation that internalised homophobia can really alter a person.
Internalised homophobia manifests itself in varying ways that can be linked to mental health. Examples include:
01. Denial of your sexual orientation to yourself and others.
02. Efforts to a