Pure O (marriage, sex, children, sexuality)

[Hda2013]

I am a 24 year old male, married, with a step son. For the past year (on a daily basis) I have been having very distressing instrusive thoughts. Inasmuch, that I sought a psychologist approximately once a month for a year. He continually reassured me that my thoughts were normal and that's life. I may agree that they are normal but the intensity and frequency of my thoughts inhibit me to enjoy life. I'm obsessed with whether or not if I see an attractive person if I behaved romantically or sexually towards them. If I hugged them too close? If I look at them does that mean I desire them? I obsess over the rightness of my relationship. I obsess over my wife's flaws and past mistakes (and my wife is incredible; amazing woman). I'm obsessed if her son is wrestling with me and the touching of body parts is involved. I'm nervous to give him a bath or wash him down there for fear I might be a pedophile. I'm obsessed over the size of my penis even after my wife reassures me that we have a great sex life. And this is daily all day. On the outside you would not think I have all this is my mind. I do have health insurance so I'm wondering how have some of you been able to get a proper diagnosis and get better?

[Itcouldhappen_maybe]

My husband suffers from this exact problem as well. CBT has made a tremendous difference in our lives, as well as Therapeutic Response, but medicine was the main thing that helped. Once he was diagnosed with   Primarily Obsessional Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and was put on medication he was able to rationalize his thoughts, and start putting his thoughts in order of importance. He would have a thought he didn't like, then be able to answer it and put it to rest, which has really helped improve our marriage. He started taking responsibility for our children and taking care of them as well, such as cleaning them in the bath and changing diapers, which he didn't do previously because of his wayward thoughts. Therapy and medicine isn't a cure all, and I know he didn't see that it was helping for the first two months, but the difference I saw in him was vast.

His first step was looking up PO OCD, and recognizing he wasn't the only one with those thoughts. Then he fully laid out his disturbing thoughts with his psychiatrist, and once he was diagnosed, he was relieved, and began treatment

[JGF25]

You need to see a psychologist that teaches cognitive behavioral therapy.  Also, since you are kind of all over the map with your thinking I would recommend that you discuss medication with your psychologist and he/she can then refer you to a psychiatrist to manage medication.  In any case, CBT is the first thing any person with OCD should learn.  Medication is not a cure all.  You will still need to know how to help yourself in certain situations.  

Also, some people are scared to tell the psychologist everything that they are thinking.  Do not worry about that.  What you mentioned above is not something new.  The psychologist who is versed in OCD is going to have heard what you have to say and then some.  So make an appointment and get it all out there.  He/she needs to know the extent of your suffering to better help you.  

Also, know that you will not always be this way if you seek help.  I am saying that as a person who has suffered from OCD for a long time.  It is managed quite well and I live my life to the fullest.  

Take care and let me know how you are doing.  

An informative article for you.

http://www.wsps.info/index.php?catid=0:&id=82:ten-things-you-need-to-know-to-overcome-ocd&option=com_content&view=article

[Hda2013]

United States

[JGF25]

What country do you live in?