Having a panic attack over being gay and religious

I’ve been a Christian my whole life, and I’ve definitely had my struggles with doubts, and I’ve certainly had my issues with certain “Christians”. Panic disorder is a debilitating mental health condition characterized by recurring and unexpected panic attacks, accompanied by intense fear and physical symptoms.

It affects individuals from all walks of life, including those who identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning). Religious or cultural conflicts often exacerbate gay anxiety. Having stated that, let me address two important points:.

It can keep you from fully experiencing your romantic relationships, your friendships, and everything up to and including dreams.

Responding to Faith based

Menu Search. Mental Health. The experience of living with any form of untreated OCD can be painfully devastating, regardless of the specific content of the obsession. Does this mean something? Why Sheppard Pratt. Many experience fear of coming out, social rejection, and workplace discrimination, which contribute to gay anxiety disorder.

You know yourself to be of one orientation, but your mind starts telling you that you secretly belong to another. June 7, Having stated that, let me address two important points: OCD is not limited to any particular theme or person.

Understanding Anxiety and Depression

It follows the same rules as other forms of OCD of course. It may not seem like it, but all OCD is this way. It goes by many names. Additionally, internalized homophobia may create self-doubt and low self-esteem. Understanding these emotions can be an important step towards acceptance.

A person historically attracted to the same sex could absolutely have an obsession about being attracted to the opposite sex or a fear of being in denial of their heterosexuality. Most LGBTQ people struggle with anxiety before coming out.

Find a Location. It is often underestimated how common a form of OCD this is. Many individuals grow up in environments where their sexual orientation or gender identity is considered sinful or unacceptable. Explore Our Knowledge Center.

Trauma from bullying or harassment can worsen anxiety, leading to panic attacks and depression. You may be afraid to call it OCD because in the throes of the obsession, it feels like that could just be an act of denial. This can lead to intense internal conflict, shame, and anxiety as they struggle to reconcile their identity with their religious or cultural beliefs.

Knowledge Center. Find Care. What is HOCD? Let me tell you, if anyone ever acts like you don’t belong, or that you can’t be a Christian because you’re gay, they’re clearly not very good Christians (I’m not saying they don’t believe, because no one can know another’s.

In fact, it might appear offensive to some even putting such fears in the same category, given that one orientation or another is not intrinsically harmful. It has the obsession, an unwanted intrusive thought:. Along with HOCD often comes brutal self-esteem hits, depression, and social anxiety.

In this blog series, I will predominantly be referring to the experience of self-identified heterosexuals with intrusive unwanted fears of being homosexual.