Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood. Many people think of it as a condition that only involves visible compulsions, like excessive handwashing or checking locks. However, OCD can also take a form where the compulsions are mostly unseen. This is sometimes called pure OCD, or “pure O” OCD.
“Pure O” OCD is not a separate diagnosis from OCD. It is not a recognized subtype or theme of OCD. The term can also lead to misconceptions, as experts say people identified with this label do experience compulsions as well as obsessions. While it may seem like some people with OCD don’t have compulsions, their compulsions may just be harder to see. Learning more about “pure O” OCD can help you clear up misconceptions, identify symptoms and get the treatment you need.
What is “pure O” OCD?
“Pure O” OCD is seen as a form of OCD where a person struggles with intrusive, unwanted thoughts that cause intense anxiety. These thoughts, also called obsessions, often focus on topics that feel disturbing, immoral or frightening.
Someone might say you have “pure O” OCD if you don’t always have visible compulsions. However, this doesn’t mean you really only experience obsessions. There are plenty of compulsive behaviors that other people may not be able to see, like mentally overanalyzing situations and avoiding triggers.
A common misconception is that “pure O” OCD is “just overthinking.” In reality, any kind of OCD is a serious anxiety disorder. If you think you may have OCD, seeking professional treatment can be essential.
What does “pure O” OCD look like?
People with OCD often experience obsessive thoughts relating to a specific theme. Some relatively common themes include:
- Harm OCD
- Relationship OCD
- Contamination OCD
- Health OCD
- Checking OCD
- Counting OCD
These thoughts then lead to compulsive behaviors. These behaviors are not always outwardly obvious. For example, someone whose OCD centers around checking may feel they need to check things multiple times to be safe. They may check a shopping list several times before leaving the house due to an intense fear that they may be forgetting something. They may also replay thoughts over and over to “make sure” nothing bad happened or to make sure they remember things correctly. More outwardly noticeable compulsions include avoiding public places and counting out loud.
If most of your compulsions happen internally, you may not realize you have OCD. You may believe you’re just feeling deeply anxious or guilty about your thoughts. Understanding what OCD actually is can be key to understanding whether your experiences align with OCD symptoms. You may also get more insights into your condition through an in-depth assessment from a mental health treatment provider.
What causes “pure O” OCD?
OCD doesn’t have one cause. There isn’t one single reason why someone develops it; several factors may contribute, including:
- Brain chemistry
- Family history
- Environmental triggers
- Major life changes
- Traumatic experiences
How is “pure O” OCD treated?
If you or someone you love is struggling with OCD, treatment can be vital. Effective treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you manage OCD symptoms and regain control over your life. The evidence-based gold standard for OCD is exposure and response prevention, often delivered within a CBT framework.Treatment can help you recognize and change unhelpful thought patterns. It can teach you skills to handle uncertainty without relying on mental compulsions.
For example, you might learn to challenge thoughts like “If I have doubts, my relationship must be wrong,” acknowledging that these are just thoughts and not necessarily reality. You can then replace those thoughts with more balanced thinking.
Different kinds of treatment are best suited for different needs. If you want help but you struggle to leave your home, you may benefit from Virtual Services like a Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program (vPHP). If you want a structured treatment option that still lets you keep up with your daily responsibilities, you might be best suited for an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). You can consult with a provider to start figuring out what treatment program is right for you.
Lightfully can provide personalized treatment for your OCD
Though OCD can be confusing and exhausting, help is available. Many people who once felt trapped by intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors have found relief through therapy, medication and professional support.
You can get the personalized mental health treatment you need at Lightfully. We offer multiple levels of care, including Virtual Services for all residents of California. We take a unique approach to OCD treatment called Precision Care Model (PCM). You can think of PCM as a fully personalized framework using the most effective aspects of evidence-based modalities like CBT to target the drivers behind mental health disorders and symptoms. With PCM, we can provide the support you need to address obsessive thought patterns and reduce compulsive behaviors.
Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step in addressing your OCD symptoms, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.
