Newbie

[BravesFanATL]

Hello all; I just joined and hope I can be as of support to others as that I need. My OCD is more of the “pure o” type based on embarrassing thoughts. I was able to do self ERP a number of years ago and it has definitely been good but recently has flared back up and causing me great distress

[Skjones]

Hey man welcome another pure o suffer here here if ya need anything

[BravesFanATL in reply to Skjones]

Thank you!

[ThereISHope222 in reply to BravesFanATL]

Pure O here, too. Just know you’re not alone! I’m on an SSRI, do therapy and am starting EMDR (I’ll let you know how it goes!) I also recommend reading some Dr, Michael J. Greenberg articles. Some of his stuff has helped me tremendously! This forum has been helpful so far, too.

[BravesFanATL in reply to ThereISHope222]

Thank you and good luck in your therapy

[mind-full]

Hey! What is "pure o" all about?

I wanted to share a page from Jon Hershfield's book, Overcoming Harm OCD, that actually discourages our use of the "pure o" subtype. He makes some interesting sense. Considering that your obsessive thoughts cause great distress and embarrassment, it's very likely that you've also found compulsive ways (behaviours) to suppress or neutralize those threats.

I personally identify with harm-related obsessions (Harm OCD), which involve physical compulsions (ex. avoidance and checking) as much as mental compulsions (ex. safe thoughts and counting).

I'll paraphrase from the book:

People with Harm OCD often consider themselves part of the "pure o" community. What this means is they see themselves as having obsessions, but not responding to them by engaging in compulsions. Studies, however, show that people with OCD always experience both: obsessions and compulsions. This confusion may have to do with a misconception that physical compulsions, such as excessive hand washing, are the only kind of compulsions. It's important to include "mental acts" when we define what qualifies as a compulsion. After all, most obsessions are associated with mental rituals and reassurance seeking.

Harm-related obsessions can be so torturous that sometimes even acknowledging that you play a role in them by doing mental compulsions will seem too painful. Furthermore, having intrusive thoughts that reflect cultural taboos is inherently isolating.

It can thus be useful to connect with others who feel that their obsessions are forbidden (as opposed to obsessions with more culturally accepted themes, such as concern about germs or doubt about having locked a door), and this is often done in online communities under the unfortunately misleading heading "pure o."

Remember that the mental acts people with Harm OCD engage in are no less identifiable, compulsive, or treatable than more overt physical rituals.

[BravesFanATL in reply to mind-full]

That’s right; I guess the term “Pure O” has just become a generic term used to identify OCD with just mental compulsions. But I’ve read up on there being no such thing as “Pure O”

[BravesFanATL in reply to mind-full]

Great information! Thanks for sharing

[CaptainCrunch]

Glad you are here. I have had a recent flare up as well. And yes, it is very distressing.

[ThereISHope222 in reply to CaptainCrunch]

I’m sorry to hear that! I too had a recent “spike” that was so debilitating I couldn’t get out of bed for a couple days. Just now you’re not alone! Feel free to share your experience if that helps!

[trailwalker53]

Welcome.....I can definitely relate! 99% of my compulsions are mental. I have also found Dr. Michael Greenberg VERY helpful. You can listen to a couple of The OCD Stories podcasts featuring him. I listen on Spotify but I think you can probably find it elsewhere.

[BravesFanATL]

I’ve read through some of his articles today; great information

[CalmnessinMind]

Hi - if it helps, here is my explanation of Pure O youtu.be/XlVXzaf46jg(Not working as expected?)