Hi everyone. This is my first post so forgive me if I break any protocol on how things usually function here. Mostly, I have just been looking for an outlet to vent my feelings and am hoping I can find a place to do so as well as help people who have similar problems.
I have had a lot of trouble with anxiety/obsessive thoughts over the last few years but am now beginning to be able to control or at least monitor them because of the counseling I have had and the research I have done.
One of my longest-running and most terrifying obsessive thoughts involves me becoming a pedophile. It became an obsession in the midst of my anxiety several years ago and has come and gone in bursts since then. It often involves a sort of groinal response which makes me feel like I have to urinate.
As I said I have learned to cope with the thoughts because I can recognize them as products of obsessive thoughts - I would never want to hurt children in any way.
However, I am worried more about how long these obsessions will go on. After all, I would very much like to a parent and one not plagued by thoughts of molesting my children. On top of that, my two career paths I have envisioned in the past and present have been either to be a teacher or the clergy. Both of course have stereotypes of pedophilia around them which causes more anxiety for me. More than that though, I'm afraid I'll be stuck with these thoughts for the rest of my life and not be a good parent, teacher - anything, because of them. Can you help?
I have had a lot of trouble with anxiety/obsessive thoughts over the last few years but am now beginning to be able to control or at least monitor them because of the counseling I have had and the research I have done.
One of my longest-running and most terrifying obsessive thoughts involves me becoming a pedophile. It became an obsession in the midst of my anxiety several years ago and has come and gone in bursts since then. It often involves a sort of groinal response which makes me feel like I have to urinate.
As I said I have learned to cope with the thoughts because I can recognize them as products of obsessive thoughts - I would never want to hurt children in any way.
However, I am worried more about how long these obsessions will go on. After all, I would very much like to a parent and one not plagued by thoughts of molesting my children. On top of that, my two career paths I have envisioned in the past and present have been either to be a teacher or the clergy. Both of course have stereotypes of pedophilia around them which causes more anxiety for me. More than that though, I'm afraid I'll be stuck with these thoughts for the rest of my life and not be a good parent, teacher - anything, because of them. Can you help?