Skip to main content
HOCD stands for Homosexual Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and it is characterised by having unwanted thoughts about your sexual orientation.These ‘thoughts’ are known as obsessions and I shall talk more about this later on in this article.It can take the from of purely an obsessive thought, which can include thoughts and urges relating to your sexual preference, but there are usually hidden compulsions–compulsions are things you do to make yourself feel better, to reassure yourself you aren't gay.People with this constantly question their sexual preference and are troubled by thoughts that they might be gay.Before developing it, you would not have given any thought to your sexual preference as it would have been a given.An important point is that it is not the content of the thoughts that are the problem, it's what you do with the thoughts.It's need for certainty and reassurance is.In other words, the compulsions.These are all characteristics of OCD and can be treated.If you have been heterosexual all your life, you will still be heterosexual, it just feels like you might be gay and not know it.It’s very simple, HOCD is a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and being gay is enjoying and wanting romantic relationships with members of the same sex.If you have HOCD, your thoughts processes are concerned about being gay – not your actions. If you are gay your actions and your thoughts show that you are gay.You want, seek out and enjoy romantic relationships with the same sex.
It is the doubt that I mentioned above, and the need to know for sure, that leads you into the cycle of looking for reassurance, analysing everything and carrying out compulsions. This is what keeps it all going, it has nothing to do with your sexuality at all!

So what does this all mean?
If some of things that I have written here makes sense to you, or you recognise yourself in it, it means that
whatever is happening to you is a symptom of HOCD, it does not mean that you are gay.
This doesn’t mean you are homophobic. It is however alarming if you suddenly start to question your sexuality, which you will have been taking as a ‘given’ for all of your life
HOCD by _._.Floop._._ September 3, 2018
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.
HOCD is a form of obsessive compulsive disorder that deals with one's sexual identity. It's based around the fear that one might become or somehow is homosexual, with this notion going against all rational and actuality of that person's sexual identity as a heterosexual. In part, the fears are that of impulse and loss of control, where one feels overwhelming anxiety around the intrusive thoughts of being sexual and passionate with another member of the same sex.

This is not at all the same as closeted gays who may be afraid of social repercussions. It is not a fear of rejection by members of the same sex, but rather is a fear of the attraction itself. Healthy homosexuality and heterosexuality are based around positive feelings, whereas the feelings encompassing HOCD are quite negative and do not revolve around wholesome fulfillment. Instead, they are based around insecurities and the mind playing off these insecurities to falsify reality to the afflicted person. The person will feel an urge of sorts that just "doesnt fit" with themselves, and it causes utmost anxiety, confusion, frustration, and pain. However, the urge/thought does not go away and the anxiety persists, leading to illogical rationalization and depression, among many other negative side-effects stemming from being afflicted with the intrusive thoughts.

For those unsure about what this feels like, imagine getting the impulse to jump off a cliff. You're standing at the edge, and your body and mind scream out "no!!!" but the impulse almost convinces yourself that you want to do it. You have control over yourself, and you may hastily step back from the edge of the cliff, but might for a few minutes be scared and confused as to why you even had the impulse. This "impulse fear" is what drives the confusion in all obsessive compulsive behaviors, and is quite apparent in HOCD as well. The disorder comes with the thought of the impulse being persistent and intrusive, and not being easily dismissed by the obsessive mind. Instead of just being there, it serves to try to convince the person that maybe he did want to jump off the cliff, and maybe that is some actual reality for him. This does not fit with who the person is, and it causes confusion and mental disaster.
HOCD manifests as an emotional "spike" at the sight of an attractive member of the same sex, and then ponder in confusion whether or not he found that person to be sexually attractive. This will be followed by thoughts of doing things sexual with that person, which furthers the anxiety, possibly resulting in compulsive and repetitive "checking" that manifests itself in many ways.
HOCD by tkessler October 2, 2006
Related Words
More from Urban Dictionary

countrypolitan 

Term used to describe someone who is a mix of both rural (country) and urban (metropolitan) lifestyles/upbringings. He/she is typically equally comfortable in both settings and is able to seamlessly slip back and forth between the two, appreciating the characteristics of each.
That ol' gal of mine drives the 12 lane freeway during the week and a John Deere on the weekends. She likes opra and the Grand Ol' Opry. I love them countrypolitan women.
countrypolitan by MOChick November 7, 2006
Word of the Day on November 1, 2026

Witch Bath 

A bath consisting of a variety of slats, oils, soaps or any other added ingredients such as fruits, milks, herbs or any other spices for health or beautifying benifits.
She brought home alot of stuff and took it to the bathroom. She must be taking a witch bath.
Witch Bath by carnieboy30 October 26, 2020
Word of the Day on October 31, 2026

kinktober 

An excuse for people to write porn with different types of kinks throughout the month of October.

Smut Fanfiction
That chick doesn't write often but when she does, its for Kinktober.
kinktober by Kinkiest July 12, 2018
Word of the Day on October 30, 2026

proper lad 

a lad that is such a lad that he is a proper lad
person1:did you see bob
person2: ya he was a proper lad
Word of the Day on October 29, 2026
The number of years you are still sexually active
While our lifespan is the number of years we will live, our healthspan is the number of healthy years we will have and our sexspan is is the number of years we will continue to be healthy enough to continue having an active sex life.
sexspan by Dr Kat April 21, 2022
Word of the Day on October 28, 2026
Load more