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1/ So, what ＊is＊ #POCD, and what does it consist of? A thread for those who question or know that they have it, loved ones of those who have it, and those who just want to learn about and support those with a severely stigmatized disorder!
POCD stands for Pedophilia
POCD stands for Pedophilia
2/ Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It's a subset of #OCD that focuses on fears that the sufferer is "really" a pedophile (WITHOUT attraction to children), and intrusive sexual and violent thoughts about children.
＊IT IS NOT THE SAME AS PEDOPHILIA＊
This thread will explain
＊IT IS NOT THE SAME AS PEDOPHILIA＊
This thread will explain
3/ what that all looks like, and what differentiates it from actual pedophilia.
First, intent. A pedophile wants to have sex with and/or have a relationship with children (who are not in the person's age range - ie, a 14 year old who wants to date a 14 year old isn't a
First, intent. A pedophile wants to have sex with and/or have a relationship with children (who are not in the person's age range - ie, a 14 year old who wants to date a 14 year old isn't a
4/ pedophile, but a 20 year old who wants to date a 14 year old Is). They could be ashamed of this want, and they could even have OCD surrounding their attraction, but the point is, they want it.
A person with POCD does Not want it. The intrusive thoughts they have disgust
A person with POCD does Not want it. The intrusive thoughts they have disgust
5/ them, terrify them, and shame them. There is no will to have them, no enjoyment in them, and no desire for them to come true.
So, why do these intrusive thoughts happen, if the sufferer hates them so much?
This is the case with all types of OCD. It's like the harder you
So, why do these intrusive thoughts happen, if the sufferer hates them so much?
This is the case with all types of OCD. It's like the harder you
6/ try not to think of a penguin, the more you'll think of a penguin, but amped up and full of fear and repulsion. The brain of someone with OCD fixates on something they absolutely do Not want to happen, so much so that they'll get intrusive thoughts over it. When it comes
7/ to sexual-based or violence-based OCD, these intrusive thoughts often also cause deep shame and guilt, because there's the fear that the person "secretly" wants to have these thoughts or act on them (spoiler: they don't).
What compulsions do POCD sufferers have?
I can't
What compulsions do POCD sufferers have?
I can't
8/ give an exhaustive list, as there are so many types of compulsions, but some of the common ones are these:
•praying (to remove the thoughts, for forgiveness, for comfort, etc)
•avoiding children (avoiding them when around them, not walking/driving by schools or parks,
•praying (to remove the thoughts, for forgiveness, for comfort, etc)
•avoiding children (avoiding them when around them, not walking/driving by schools or parks,
9/ sometimes not leaving the house at all, etc)
•avoiding media with children
•arguing the thoughts
•researching about pedophilia
•questioning past experiences ("when I was around this child, was I attracted to them?")
•avoiding social contact ("they deserve better than me",
•avoiding media with children
•arguing the thoughts
•researching about pedophilia
•questioning past experiences ("when I was around this child, was I attracted to them?")
•avoiding social contact ("they deserve better than me",
10/ "they'll find out", "they'll hate me/send me to jail", etc)
•self-injurious behavior
and many more! Whatever it is, the compulsion develops as a way of easing the fear generated by the obsessions, and/or through the want of keeping children "safe" from the sufferer.
•self-injurious behavior
and many more! Whatever it is, the compulsion develops as a way of easing the fear generated by the obsessions, and/or through the want of keeping children "safe" from the sufferer.
11/ Compulsions can be more mild, like just avoiding children when around them, to severe, like cutting off all contacts and isolating in the house. There are also added risks when dealing with sexual- and violence-based obsessions, where the sufferer may turn themselves over
12/ to the police so they could be in jail and won't hurt anybody. Suicidal thoughts/plans/attempts are also possible in any type of OCD, and especially in sexual and violent obsessions, out of guilt and fear that it's "inevitable" that they'll one day hurt someone (it's not).
13/ What's a groinal response, and how is
that different from attraction?
A groinal response is when, in reaction to a situation or intrusive thought, the person's groinal area will have any range of reactions from twitching, heat, wetness, erection, orgasm, etc. This is a
that different from attraction?
A groinal response is when, in reaction to a situation or intrusive thought, the person's groinal area will have any range of reactions from twitching, heat, wetness, erection, orgasm, etc. This is a
14/ feature primarily of sexual-based OCD, and often is one of the most distressing symptoms because it leads the sufferer to believe that they are "actually" attracted to the subject(s) of their OCD.
In POCD, this can commonly make the person think they really are a
In POCD, this can commonly make the person think they really are a
15/ pedophile.
The important distinction between a groinal response and attraction/arousal is about enjoyment or desire. Someone who is legitimately attracted to the situation, thoughts, or person Enjoys the sexual nature, and Desires for the situation or thoughts to repeat or
The important distinction between a groinal response and attraction/arousal is about enjoyment or desire. Someone who is legitimately attracted to the situation, thoughts, or person Enjoys the sexual nature, and Desires for the situation or thoughts to repeat or
16/ become sexual, or to be sexual with the person/people in question, even if they're ashamed of that desire. That's attraction.
A groinal response in OCD, however, is characterized by these physical effects but Without any enjoyment or desire, and often With fear and/or
A groinal response in OCD, however, is characterized by these physical effects but Without any enjoyment or desire, and often With fear and/or
17/ disgust over the situation/thoughts and the groinal response. Someone with POCD who gets a groinal response when they pass by a child on the street would often be terrified and/or disgusted by this reaction, and would Never enjoy or desire such a response.
＊The reason l
＊The reason l
18/ say "may" above is that through recovery, the person may no longer feel disgust or fear, and will only feel neutral (this does not mean they are fine with the content, only that they don't judge themselves and fall into fear over their intrusive thoughts) - but they will
19/ Never enjoy or desire it.
Studies have been done on this phenomenon that point to the fact that groinal responses are unwanted and do Not reflect "secret" desires or
attraction, and only are a response to the ＊sexual nature of the thoughts＊. There's also a big difference
Studies have been done on this phenomenon that point to the fact that groinal responses are unwanted and do Not reflect "secret" desires or
attraction, and only are a response to the ＊sexual nature of the thoughts＊. There's also a big difference
20/ between being ashamed over wanting it, versus not wanting it at all but still feeling shame - at the end of this, one of the links I have is to a thread detailing this more, with sources.
How do I help someone with POCD?
The first thing someone who is supporting a POCD
How do I help someone with POCD?
The first thing someone who is supporting a POCD
21/ sufferer should know is that OCD isn't logical. You could see their symptoms clearly as POCD, and know for a fact that they're not a pedophile and not a danger to children, but nothing you say seems to convince them. OCD is, at its core, a disorder based on doubt. What,
22/ for anyone else, would be sufficient evidence to be certain of something, for someone with OCD, they'll still doubt it. Sometimes these doubts are about incredibly slim chances - sometimes they're completely illogical, and not based even in rare circumstances in reality.
23/ There are people with OCD who both know this, and those who think the doubts have a basis in reality, even though they don't. If someone with POCD isn't listening to what sound like facts and evidence that they're not a pedophile, this isn't them being difficult - they
24/ have an honestly hard time believing it.
OCD can make you doubt anything at all. The most important support for someone with POCD is understanding and compassionate presence. If someone knows what POCD is, and can show that they don't blame the sufferer, and don't think
OCD can make you doubt anything at all. The most important support for someone with POCD is understanding and compassionate presence. If someone knows what POCD is, and can show that they don't blame the sufferer, and don't think
25/ they're dangerous or a pedophile, that means the world. POCD can cause one to isolate, which only makes it worse - being there for us, lending an ear, and gently reminding us of evidence that we're not horrible, and that we're not alone, it can help so much, even if we
26/ have a hard time believing that we're safe to
be around.
I think/know I have POCD - what do I do?
First, know that you're not alone. This is an incredibly common type of OCD, it's just not talked about as much due to stigma. But that stigma isn't ＊you＊, and it isn't
be around.
I think/know I have POCD - what do I do?
First, know that you're not alone. This is an incredibly common type of OCD, it's just not talked about as much due to stigma. But that stigma isn't ＊you＊, and it isn't
27/ true. It's okay to be afraid, because this disorder Makes you afraid.
It is also a liar. OCD preys on fear and doubt, and it will tell you anything to make you afraid, to make you do compulsions, but no matter how real the danger feels, it's not true. People have been
It is also a liar. OCD preys on fear and doubt, and it will tell you anything to make you afraid, to make you do compulsions, but no matter how real the danger feels, it's not true. People have been
28/ studying POCD for quite a while now, and it's not shown to create danger to anyone but the sufferer themselves.
Also, while it's common for POCD to develop due to facing childhood sexual abuse, this is NOT the only way for it to develop - so if you don't have any history
Also, while it's common for POCD to develop due to facing childhood sexual abuse, this is NOT the only way for it to develop - so if you don't have any history
29/ of that, or don't remember any, that doesn't rule out POCD!
＊If you need support from friends and family, but are too scared to explain POCD, you can link them to this thread to explain it for you!
Below, I have links to informational posts I have made about various
＊If you need support from friends and family, but are too scared to explain POCD, you can link them to this thread to explain it for you!
Below, I have links to informational posts I have made about various
30/ topics regarding POCD, including methods of recovery!
There are also therapists both IRL and online who are well-versed in OCD, or who will understand explanations, as well as support groups for OCD, and these can be incredibly beneficial! Social support helps people more
There are also therapists both IRL and online who are well-versed in OCD, or who will understand explanations, as well as support groups for OCD, and these can be incredibly beneficial! Social support helps people more
31/ than many know.
My DMs are open every day except for Shabbat (a weekly Jewish holiday that takes place from Friday evening to Saturday nightfall - I'm in US Pacific time, and usually wake up in the mid afternoon), where I don't even touch my phone, and can't see any
My DMs are open every day except for Shabbat (a weekly Jewish holiday that takes place from Friday evening to Saturday nightfall - I'm in US Pacific time, and usually wake up in the mid afternoon), where I don't even touch my phone, and can't see any
32/ messages. I'm not a trained professional, but I am someone who has been through and recovered from POCD, here to lend compassion and information, even if you just need to vent.
＊IMPORTANT＊ If you are having a suicidal crisis, please call or text a suicide hotline, a
＊IMPORTANT＊ If you are having a suicidal crisis, please call or text a suicide hotline, a
33/ therapist who understands OCD or will understand an explanation of it, anyone who could help. If you're having one and need to talk to me, but Shabbat is soon, PLEASE LET ME KNOW before Shabbat (as once it starts, I won't see messages) - it's a Jewish ＊commandment＊ to
34/ break other commandments in order to help someone in danger. It is never, EVER an imposition!
Thanks so much for reading! In a moment, l'll add the various posts I have made about POCD-related topics. Keep safe
Thanks so much for reading! In a moment, l'll add the various posts I have made about POCD-related topics. Keep safe
Links:
The difference between POCD and a self-hating pedophile: https://twitter.com/YouAreNotAMAP/status/1192093109212999680?s=19
The difference between POCD and a self-hating pedophile: https://twitter.com/YouAreNotAMAP/status/1192093109212999680?s=19
On ERP/Exposure and Response Prevention, the leading method of OCD recovery: https://twitter.com/YouAreNotAMAP/status/1194776565126615040?s=19
On SUDs/Subjective Units of Distress, a method of figuring out where to start in ERP: https://twitter.com/YouAreNotAMAP/status/1201520944159715328?s=19
On groinal responses (with sources!): https://twitter.com/YouAreNotAMAP/status/1234705161915793408?s=19
