Is this Pure O?

[Hedgehog25]

Hi all,

I’ve never really considered what subsets of OCD I might have. I’m sure of checking and some responsibility related thoughts, but often I just imagine horrible scenarios without any attached compulsions, and I’m not sure how that ties in?

For example, if my parents don’t answer the phone, I picture them restrained or injured and not being able to answer. And every time I open the door to a public toilet cubicle an image flashes through my mind that there’ll be someone in there, unconscious and needing help. It’s really filmic.

Similarly, I’m capable of mentally beating myself up something awful and assuming there’s something very wrong with me.

Is this perhaps related to Pure O? I’ve never spoken to anyone who suffers from it.

Thanks for any ideas!

[Coffeelove4444]

Hi Hedgehog, having just a thought or image is still OCD. I also get some scary images and think why would you think that. Thoughts and images are all part of the big bully OCD. I believe we need to let the thought come and not try to analyze it. Keep pushing forward!!

[Bentleywins]

Regarding the bathroom events. Think what is the worst that can happen. You say I am sorry I thought the room was unoccupied. As far as you Parents, just call again 15 minutes later.

[deValentin]

I can relate. If my wife is late returning home, the thought she had a car accident comes to my mind. I hear on TV from time to time that human remains were found in a wooded area. So, when I walk in the woods, the thoughts of finding human remains pop into my mind. But, it looks in your case that the thoughts are more vivid. You picture in your mind the worst-case scenario. As long as it doesn't distress or impair me, I don't pay much heed to it. I attribute it to an overactive imagination.

I can also relate to your capacity of "mentally beating yourself up something awful and assuming there’s something very wrong with you". To amplify beyond reason insignificant or minor wrongs may be a sign of scrupulosity OCD. In that case, I try to gain some perspective and let time dull the suffering. I find that's somehow connected to my mood. When my spirits are up, I tend to see the bright side of things. When my spirits are down, I tend to see the more somber side of things. It's why I find it important to manage my moods well by investing time and efforts into worthwhile activities.

[Hedgehog25 in reply to deValentin]

Thank you for your thoughts. I sympathise. Managing moods is key here for sure I think. I shall read up on scrupulosity

[Coffeelove4444]

I agree the mood management is important. I think depression is also a contributing factor to the OCD being more bothersome. I find checking my mood is like an obsession. Once again not giving thoughts a platform is important.

[FirstResponder23]

hello,

I’m sorry to hear you are going through this. I want you to know you are not the only one. I also have many fears that may not produce physical compulsions, but I have a lot of mental rituals. It is very difficult for me to address these because for me it feels so automatic. But know that these mental compulsions can be treated just like we do the physicals compulsions. One thing that has helped me in the past many times is ERP. I work with my therapist and over time my anxiety gradually fades and comes down to a manageable level.

Mentally beating ourselves up is also a compulsion. It’s a way for ocd to sneak in and make us really sit in an uncomfortable feeling and be caught in the ocd loop. It takes a lot of practice, but being kind to yourself and understanding is huge. I am still learning as well. There are many times I get extremely frustrated and want results immediately, and if I have a set back I get emotional, but I’m working on giving myself grace and understanding that recovery is not a linear line, but a roller coaster filled with ups and downs and twists and turns.

As far as Pure O, I’ve read many articles where it is argued about the concept of Pure O. Overall, they all mostly agree that there are compulsions in Pure O, they are just harder to notice because they are mental thoughts and sometimes do not get articulated to our therapists. So know that while there may not be something physical you are doing to ease the fear, there is probably something mentally you are trying to do to calm the ocd. And while it may work momentarily, it usually comes back because we are feeding the loop. Instead, learning about what those mental compulsions may be and how to address them is helpful. I’ll attach a link to a really helpful article that I read that explains this better.

calocd.com/2022/07/26/menta...

[Hedgehog25 in reply to FirstResponder23]

Thank you so much for your reply and the attached link, I appreciate it

[Coffeelove4444 in reply to FirstResponder23]

Thank you very much!! It is so hard to get out of our head. I need to work on identifying the mental compulsions. OCD is so sneaky!!I will check out the link 👍