OCD and Same-Sex Attraction/Homosexuality: Conversation with Michael Gasparro

Something too few people are talking about is the relationship between same-sex attraction and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is disproportionately present among individuals with same-sex attraction compared against those with no same-sex attraction. Additionally, there's a subtype of OCD called HOCD (homosexuality OCD) or Sexual Orientation OCD, which is an obsessive concern about being gay, independent of having any actual same-sex attraction. In this video, I'm joined by fellow Reintegrative Therapist Michael Gasparro to discuss the causative links between OCD and SSA as well as counseling approaches. If you're a therapist, minister, or an individual with OCD and SSA, this is an important video to watch!

#samesexattraction #OCD #HOCD #ReintegrativeTherapy #attachment #SAFETherapy #homosexuality

Some definitions:
Obsession: An intrusive thought/idea or feeling that is not easily dismissed.
Compulsion: A behavior used to relieve oneself of the anxiety associated with the obsession. There are mental compulsions (such as rumination, scenario-building, and mental checking) and physical compulsions (such as physical checking, ritualistic behavior, avoidance, etc).
Mindfulness: Intentional, nonjudgmental, non-reactive awareness of one's present experience, followed by regulation of physiological reactions and mastery over one's responses.

Timestamps:
00:03:18 - Homosexual and OCD prevalence.
00:10:00 - Worldview and theories of causation.
00:13:50 - OCD and Attachment Theory.
00:18:05 - Polyvagal Theory and OCD and SSA.
00:22:09 - Disgust.
00:23:53 - Repression.
00:27:47 - Repression and attachment.
00:29:46 - Michael's story.
00:33:43 - Mindful approach, virtue, and freedom.
00:35:04 - The checking compulsion.
00:41:12 - The cultural narrative's impact.
00:46:37 - Assessing and treating OCD and SSA.
00:57:33 - Eros and emotion.
00:59:36 - Attachment-focused therapy.
01:06:02 - OCD fear preventing opposite-sex attraction.
01:10:13 - Closing thoughts.

References:
Jon Hershfield and Tom Corboy. (2020). The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (2nd ed.). New Harbinger. (This is a text we highly recommend to our clients with OCD. I have the first edition on my shelf in the video. Either edition is fine.)

For more:
Michael Gasparro did a couple excellent presentations at the 2021 IFTCC (International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice) Conference:
His presentation on emotional integration, SSA, and OCD: https://youtu.be/aAGTb7uQLbc
His presentation on OCD interventions for SSA clients with OCD: https://youtu.be/JCDhV6BTI0E
Check out some of Michael's guest appearances on the Trending with Timmerie podcast/radio show, such as https://www.radiotrending.com/guests/michaelgasparro
My video on self-states and polyvagal theory (neuroscience of anxiety and posttraumatic stress): https://youtu.be/jA9QuFlYd_c
My video on mindfulness for Christians: https://youtu.be/affXzlIWqvs

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-Andrew