Tag: ocd life

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and the urge to perform repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) to alleviate the distress caused by these thoughts.

Pure O OCD

“Pure O” OCD, or primarily obsessive OCD, is a term often used in the OCD community to describe a subtype where the sufferer experiences obsessions without overt compulsions. However, it’s worth noting that “Pure O” can be a misnomer, as individuals with this subtype might still engage in covert, or mental, compulsions.

A Glimpse Inside My Mind: The Silent Struggles of Pure O OCD

The sun filtered through my bedroom window, casting golden rays on the familiar blue walls. On any ordinary day, this would have been a pleasant sight, but not today. Not when my mind was clouded with an intrusive thought that had been gnawing at me since I woke up.

“Did I wish harm on my cat?” The thought jolted me out of sleep earlier this morning. It’s absurd. I adore my cat, Mr. Whiskers. But the harder I tried to brush the thought aside, the more it clung to me, looping endlessly like a broken record.

I sat up, rubbed my temples, and tried to shake off the thought. My room, a sanctuary filled with bookshelves and art supplies, felt a little less inviting today. I grabbed a sketchbook, thinking maybe sketching could distract me. As my pencil danced across the paper, I drew a pair of eyes. But then, another intrusive thought – “What if I drew something offensive or inappropriate?” Anxiety coursed through me, and the art supplies were promptly set aside.

Breakfast was no respite. As I spread jam on my toast, a rogue idea popped up. “What if I poisoned the jam?” Ridiculous! I knew I hadn’t. I made the jam myself, with strawberries from my garden. But the doubt had been planted. The toast remained uneaten.

Seeking some form of normalcy, I decided to catch up on emails. But each time my fingers hovered over the keyboard, I was bombarded with yet another intrusive thought. “What if I send something hateful? What if I misunderstood and replied rudely?” Every email took three times longer to write as I reread, reassured myself, and rewrote sentences.

By the afternoon, I felt drained. A simple walk in the park should help, I thought. The greenery, the chirping birds – nature always calmed me. However, as I walked past a stranger with a baby, my mind betrayed me again. “What if you wanted to hurt that baby?” Panic surged through me. I hurried home, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

Evening came, and I found solace in my favorite sitcom. But halfway through, a scene where a character lied triggered another round of intrusive thoughts. “Have I lied? Have I ever cheated someone? Do I secretly want to be bad?”

I sought comfort in my partner, Alex, who’s seen me through many such episodes. “Honey,” I whispered, tears rolling down, “I’m scared of my thoughts. Why do they torment me?”

Alex took my hand, “Pat, it’s the OCD. These thoughts are not you. They’re just glitches in the brain. We’ll get through this, like always.”

My life with Pure O OCD isn’t easy.

To many, I seem perfectly fine. My battles are silent, fought within the confines of my mind. But with the help of therapy, loved ones, and understanding my condition, I’m learning to differentiate between my true self and the uninvited thoughts that sometimes plague me. Every day is a step towards regaining control.

Pat, living with “Pure O” OCD

Self-Assessment for Pure O OCD

If you suspect you have Pure O OCD, consider the following signs and thinking patterns. However, remember that only a qualified mental health professional can provide an accurate diagnosis:

1. Intrusive and Unwanted Thoughts: You experience distressing and unwanted thoughts that seem to come out of nowhere. These can revolve around harm, relationships, sexuality, morality, or existential fears, among others.
2. Distress and Anxiety: These thoughts cause significant distress, anxiety, or discomfort.
3. Mental Rituals: Even though you might not exhibit outward compulsive behaviors, you might engage in internal rituals like mentally reassuring yourself, praying, or trying to think “good” thoughts to counter the “bad” ones.
4. Avoidance: You may avoid situations, places, or even people that trigger or could potentially trigger these thoughts.
5. Seeking Reassurance: You often seek reassurance from others or even from online sources about the nature and meaning of your thoughts.
6. Recognizing the Irrationality: Despite the distress they cause, you might recognize that these thoughts are a product of your mind and not representative of your true desires or character.

Common Thinking Patterns in Pure O OCD

1. Catastrophizing: Believing that the worst-case scenario will happen based on the intrusive thoughts.
2. Over-Responsibility: Feeling that you’re responsible for preventing imagined catastrophes or harm.
3. Thought-Action Fusion: Believing that thinking something is equivalent to doing it or wanting to do it.
4. Perfectionism: Believing that you must have complete control over your thoughts and that any unwanted thought is a sign of moral failure.
5. Doubt and Uncertainty: Constantly questioning and doubting oneself, one’s thoughts, or one’s memories.

Effects in Real Life

Pure O OCD can have profound effects on an individual’s daily life:

1. Social Isolation: Fear of being judged or misunderstood might lead to avoiding social situations or relationships.
2. Decreased Productivity: Continuous rumination and mental rituals can take up a significant amount of time, leading to decreased efficiency at work or school.
3. Strained Relationships: Loved ones might struggle to understand the internal torment, leading to misunderstandings or feelings of frustration.
4. Mental Exhaustion: Continuously battling intrusive thoughts can be mentally exhausting, leading to fatigue, decreased concentration, and even depression.
5. Avoidance of Triggers: Individuals might avoid movies, books, news, or certain places and people that they associate with their intrusive thoughts.

Does ‘Pure O’ OCD need a specific of approach different to OCD?

Pure O OCD (Pure Obsessional OCD) often requires a somewhat different approach to treatment compared to traditional OCD. The key differences in treatment stem from the nature of Pure O, which is characterized primarily by intrusive, distressing thoughts without the visible compulsions typically associated with traditional OCD.

Conclusion

If you recognize these signs and patterns in yourself, it’s essential to consult with a mental health professional who specializes in OCD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), has shown to be effective in treating OCD, including the “Pure O” subtype. Remember, OCD is a treatable condition, and with the right support and interventions, individuals can lead fulfilling lives.

Take the OCD Test (Self assessment)