Pure O
What is Pure O / Purely Obsessional OCD?
Pure O or Purely Obsessional OCD, are common terms used to describe various subtypes of OCD in which sufferers believe that they are not performing any compulsive behaviors. With this presentation of OCD, obsessions and compulsions happen with the same obsessional trigger, leading to the misconception that they are not performing any compulsive behaviors.
In other words, you can’t see that a compulsion is happening, even though it is. It is just that the obsessions and compulsions take place in someone’s mind. Individuals are constantly ruminating (compulsively thinking) about an obsession and trying to figure out if their obsessions are true, real, or something they really want.
Common Obsessions (fears and doubts)
- Upsetting thoughts or images that may be violent, sexual, or blasphemous.
- Fears of harming yourself or someone else.
- Doubts about your sexual orientation (sometimes called homosexual OCD)
- Worry that you said or did something bad in the past.
- Fears of saying something offensive, rude, or obscene.
Common Compulsions (safety behaviors)
- Mental rituals
- Mental review
- Reassurance seeking
- Analyzing
- Figuring out
- Tuning out the world to concentrate on thought’s
- Needing to know
- Ruminating
- Blocking thoughts