Pure O OCD Can Be Really Hard
This is actually what I typically think of as being the defining factor of pure O OCD: obsessive thoughts that people worry will become a reality in some way. Someone might have obsessive thoughts about hurting someone and they might fear that they will actually do that someday.Common Treatments for Pure O
Treatment for OCD, including pure O, often involves the use of medication in combination with psychotherapy, which may include cognitive-behavioral therapy, support groups, and psychological education.Despite the common depiction of OCD being all about compulsions, it can also have a lot to do with obsessive thinking. When people exhibit patterns of obsessive thinking without any problems surrounding compulsions, they are often said to have “pure O” OCD.
Pure Obsessional OCD (Pure-O) is a type of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in which an individual reports experiencing obsessions without outwardly observable compulsions. Pure-O sufferers often report that their thoughts make them incredibly anxious and they can't get them out of their head.
- Label these thoughts as "intrusive thoughts."
- Remind yourself that these thoughts are automatic and not up to you.
- Accept and allow the thoughts into your mind.
- Float, and practice allowing time to pass.
- Remember that less is more.
- Expect the thoughts to come back again.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition. This means it won't fix itself and is generally not cured completely. So to the first question: OCD does not go away on its own, without treatment. But the good news is that treatment methods developed over the past few decades have made OCD symptoms manageable.
There are also plenty of CBT offshoots, like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). For OCD, another CBT offshoot has been demonstrated most effective in a number of studies since the 1980s: exposure and response prevention therapy, or ERP.
Don't fear the thoughts; thoughts are just that—thoughts. Don't let them become more than that. Take intrusive thoughts less personally, and let go of your emotional reaction to them. Stop changing your behaviors to align with your obsessions or compulsions; it won't help in the long run (2017).
Some people with Pure OCD recover completely through ERP. But for many, their obsessions never fully go away. OCD recovery has more to do with managing the condition, than it does with eliminating it. However, that doesn't mean you can't lead a healthy, happy life.
Many OCD sufferers experience panic attacks or panic attack symptoms — sweaty palms, rapid heartbeat, racing thoughts, dizziness, weakness in limbs, and so on. They may also feel like they're having an out-of-body experience.
When people exhibit patterns of obsessive thinking without any problems surrounding compulsions, they are often said to have “pure O” OCD. It is estimated that up to 60% of people struggling with OCD exhibit no overt compulsions and could be classified as having pure O OCD.
Each dimension includes obsessions and compulsions.
- Four Types of OCD.
- Contamination & Washing.
- Doubt About Accidental Harm & Checking.
- Just Right OCD: Symmetry, Arranging, & Counting.
- Unacceptable Taboo Thoughts & Mental Rituals.
As with all forms of mental illness, there is no known OCD cure. While medication can reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of OCD if you stop taking the drug it is likely that your symptoms will return.
