QueenZiggy

The fact you're concerned about these thoughts tells me you're probably not actually a risk around children these thoughts are common with ocd. Talk to a specialist but don't make any rash decisions about your job until you've sought professional help

I figured it was. I've been diagnosed 16 years but I was wondering if it was just me. I have such strong compulsions to confess to things

Does anyone else experience random guilt and a need to confess for something they did ages ago no matter how trivial? I got told off for something at work and now I'm remembering all minor things I've done and keep thinking I should confess to them. Even though I know it's trivial but my brain goes what if they find out and you get in more trouble?

Who said anything about making up sexualities? I specifically said DON'T label sexuality. It probably is anxiety being mistaken for arousal but a way to calm the anxiety is to not try and label yourself.

There's are multiple sexualities and no need to label yourself. It may be you're only sexually attracted to certain people based on bond or certain characteristics etc but there's no need to identify your sexuality. Take it kn a person come person basis. If you're attracted to a person go from there. It can be worrying exploring sexuality but when you accept that you don't need to label or be one way or another it does get easier.

See a medical professional

See acting is different to writing. Writing you're in that person's head and to best convey that you need to have lived it. As a writer I wouldn't portray schizophrenia or bipolar despite having knowledge and knowing people with it because I can't fully experience it and do it justice. Some things you need to have lived and having seen the reviews on many books written about OCD most people agree with me. Also Leonardo DiCaprio actually has OCD hence why the portrayal was so good. He's spoken about this before and having therapy

Trees

My advice is don't do it. If you don't have personal experience of this condition you're highly likely to portray it wrong and offend someone. The character could just have anxiety like yours but from experience as a sufferer when non sufferers try and describe it they tend to get it wrong. No amount of research can replace lived experience. Sorry. But best of luck with the novel

Bit late but Tom Allen actually has OCD- diagnosed. That's what Michael was referring to and as is Tom's right he laughed about himself. In regards to Prince William (comments in 2018) it's highly likely he also has OCD as does his brother who's spoken openly about it and it's known that his father has it, but similar to Arlene Phillips he's playing it down. Very common for people embarrassed or in the public spotlight to do so. Not saying it's right but these people like us actually have OCD and can refer to it how they like.

I always try not to worry about what I can't change but I find myself having displaced anxiety and worry about really stupid things. Currently worrying about my football team being relegated or a TV show not going how I want it to. I can't do anything about those either but it seems less depressing than the news.

I've been on 150mg for 15 years. It does take a bit to settle in your system and other treatments are usually recommended but everyone is different. Apparently me being on a high dose for so long us unusual but whenever they've tried to lower my dose it hasn't worked so the doctors agreed it's a case of if it's not broke don't fix it. I saw give it a chance to work

Unfortunately apparently my instinct was right here and he binned me off just 2 days after this post citing its not you it's me. ?

So I'm 31 and I'll be honest I've never really dated. I've had bad experiences then life got in the way and covid. But I've just started chatting to a guy I met on a dating site. It's very early days but I can already feel my OCD getting in the way. He says as he's a nurse he's worried about long term with covif getting in the way and he doesn't want to waste our time but he still wants to try for now. But my anxiety is very much what if it's a lie and should I bin him off first to save myself, and that he probably has other women, only after one thing etc And then I had an odd dream and I convinced myself it was an omen. Thing is I realised I do this every time I get interested in someone. I'm not sure how to get through it. He's never shown anything but sincerity and was very open about the fact that as a nurse covid may get in the way etc but my OCD has risen it's ugly head. I'm on medication and I've had cbt years ago and I've been doing OK no relapses in 15 years it's just whenever I think about dating this happens. Any advice much appreciated