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Hey guys, in this post I will explain how fake attraction actually works. in my other post I didnt really add all the details.

Please use this as Your sign to allow uncertainty and do ERP. And not trying to figure out what it means.

And this post is all fact based I did my study on how everything works with HOCD. _____________________________________________________

HOW FAKE ATTRACTION ACTUALLY WORKS.

IMPORTANT FOR ERP.

So let's point a few things out. That many people actually don't talk about.

First of all, you can find the gender you don't desire good looking. Or having a nice style.

See my dad. Once said, "He's a good looking dude" and my dad isn't gay. And the same for my mom I showed her a girl once I talked with, and she said, "She's a beautiful girl." >!It is called admiration !<

This is very normal. The thing that makes it weird Or feel like attraction is because our brain sees The gender we don't desire as fear. Because remember how HOCD started with anxiety?

So our brain automatically zooms into them and hyperfocuses intensely on them. Without you even noticing So that is why you might notice their details sometimes more."

Need an example? Here

Imagine you were scared of spiders. Your brain will then focus and zoom in on them, making Them bigger and scarier then they are. it is a scientific fact. Scientists have proven it. anyone wondering. With HOCD it is just a bit different it is hyperawareness.

On top of that, HOCD labels it automatically as "Attraction," making it even feel more real. _____________________________________________________

FAKE ATTRACTION DOESN'T EXIST.

Let me explain before you get stressed. Or panic.

So fake attraction isn't just one in one it is actually separated.

"So what do I feel then if it isn't fake attraction?"

So first, your brain is very anxious when it sees the gender you don't desire. It could be anxiety.

Yes, and you might not feel the anxiety cause. Your brain already got used to the anxiety. So basically anxiety + adrenaline and hyperfocusing make it more intense.

Notice how HOCD wants you to label every emotion and figure it out? I mean, you could feel adrenaline, and you would say, "Excitement is it because im changed??"

But they could also be normal emotions!!!

Yes, see HOCD. Makes everything weird or sexual. But you can actually feel emotions for the gender you don't desire without it being attraction.

Let me explain even deeper.

See, we have so many emotions we can feel nostalgic or a vibe. Or feel calm. Feel safe. Comfortable. Relaxed. An aesthetic. Admiration. And many more emotions.

HOCD Makes you think that you shouldn't feel anything for the gender you don't desire. Because otherwise it directly is attraction.

So not every emotion you feel is "attraction." Stop trying to figure out these emotions.

And how we do that is by ALLOWING UNCERTAINTY + ERP. Before HOCD, your brain was basically

Filtering these emotions. So that's why it automatically already had a labeling. And you didn't overthink it. But now you're trying to do all that by trying to figure out what it means.

So HOCD makes even normal emotions Feel like attraction by labeling and hyperfocusing.

That is why sometimes you have to allow uncertainty. Who knows what it means? You don't have to figure it out. It could mean 100 things.

Your brain will slowly find balance. And filter emotions Once you stop trying to do it. Since your brain knows what's up

"But why can't we feel it for the gender we desire?"

Because they became testing objects.

And our brain doesn't see them as fear, so it isn't So focused on them. Emotions should come naturally. We don't have to do anything. Even if you felt a tiny emotion for the gender you desire You would directly call it attraction or monitor it. "Does it feel good?" "What does this mean?"

Monitoring + trying to feel + stress + anxiety. Kills libido

if your brain thinks there's danger, it won't really worry about making you fall in love. Even sadness reduces attraction.

Daily Stress Kills Attraction.

And also, can we try normalizing that also not every emotion or feeling for the gender you desire is attraction? Stop labeling it.

You are killing natural emotions. Like I said, ERP + UNCERTAINTY Is the way to go. Soon you might feel for the gender you desire who knows if it is attraction or a normal emotion you don't know?

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So basically this is why doing ERP is important.

You allow uncertainty. You don't spiral about the emotions or what it means. And you don't try to figure it out.

So no, your brain just won't randomly create fake attraction emotions.

**We just call it "**fake attraction," but it doesn't mean it is. Fake attraction or attraction allow uncertainty.

And stop giving emotions labels. Or trying to figure it out yourself. This makes them stronger. Your brain knows which emotions are which. Let your brain do the job.

And sensations are just hyperfocusing + hyperawareness. That is why fake bonners happen or fake blushing. Or whatever happen. It

is temporary and easy to beat with ERP + allowing uncertainty. Who knows what it means? 🤷‍♂️ Do you need to figure it out? No.

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MY ADVICE IMPORTANT.

Stop waiting for the perfect moment. Stop waiting till your attraction comes back. Actually live your life if you see the gender you desire, well, just allow that you might not feel anything. Allow that it might not feel perfect.

Do the things you did before HOCD.

Stop waiting for everything to feel perfect again It will come on the way. It is always "I want to date when I fully recover," but that won't work since you're still waiting for that 1 feeling. It will happen naturally.

You don't have to feel perfect. And expectations should be lowered. Your brain needs time. And ERP is messy. You will have ups and downs. But it isn't like those downs will reset the progress.

"Will it end?"

It won't all end in one day. But it will reduce and reduce to a point that it doesn't affect you. This could be a phase. HOCD Isnt a forever disorder.

Keep living your life. Allow triggers. Allow emotions to say Whatever, don't label them or figure them out. Allow sensations.

Recovering from HOCD isn't as difficult as people make it. ERP rewires your brain in a way that your brain knows there isn't fear. And also, your brain is just having a bit of an error.

I recommended getting off this Reddit and subreddit. Most of these stories will Make you less motivated and more depressed. And more lost.

And remember doing ERP. is basically exposing yourself to triggers in your daily life and not running away from your triggers.

And please don't seek reassurance. You don't have to figure everything out. How more you seek reassurance How much more HOCD Will stay taking over your life. "Reassurances can backfire hard since HOCD is a doubting disorder it will create another doubt."

So remember, it doesn't matter what you feel in HOCD eyes it will always be proof of you changing.

And this may be my last post, or I will create a last one about my recovery story in the future. And HOCD isn't homophobia or whatever people say. 🤦‍♂️