What is Pure OCD?

Have you ever had a scary thought that you didn’t want but it just wouldn’t go away? Maybe you asked yourself, “Why did I even think that?” If that’s ever happened to you, you’re not alone. Some people get stuck with upsetting thoughts they don’t want. These thoughts can feel very real and cause a lot of worry.

This is something called Pure OCD, short for Pure Obsessional OCD. It’s a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder that mostly happens in your mind. You may not see any physical habits, like hand-washing or checking. But the person is still doing mental rituals, like trying to fix or fight the thought.

Pure O is often confused with anxiety or even depression because the symptoms can overlap. Some people may also experience high-functioning anxiety alongside it, which can make it harder to spot.

What is Pure Obsessional (Pure O) OCD?

Pure O OCD is a type of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The “O” stands for obsessions, which are scary or unwanted thoughts that pop into your mind. These thoughts feel very real, even if you know they don’t make sense. What makes Pure O different is that most of the struggle happens inside your head. You won’t always see someone doing physical things, like checking the stove or washing hands. But the person may be doing mental rituals, like praying over and over or trying to “cancel” a thought.

Even though you can’t see it, Pure O is very real. It causes fear, stress, and confusion. And many people with it feel afraid to talk about their thoughts. But with the right help, like therapy in Georgia, it can get better.

Pure O vs. Other Types of OCD

Most people think OCD is all about cleaning, counting, or checking things again and again. That’s true for some, but not everyone. In Pure O, the obsessions are just as strong, but the person’s actions happen in their mind. For example, someone with traditional OCD might touch a doorknob five times.

Someone with Pure O might go over a scary thought 100 times in their head to feel safe. Here is an quick example:

• Traditional OCD: Did I lock the door? Still checks the door for 10 times
• Pure O OCD: What if I hurt someone? Repeat a prayer to feel okay

Both OCD types are painful. Both are real. The difference is mostly what you see vs. what you don’t.

Is Pure O Just OCD Without Compulsions?

Not at all! Pure O still has compulsions. They’re just harder to spot. Instead of doing something with their hands or body, the person is doing things mentally. They might repeat thoughts, go over “what-if” questions, or try to make the bad thought go away.

These are called mental compulsions, and they can be exhausting. People may also ask for reassurance, like “Do you think I’m a bad person?” or “I would never do that, right?” This is still part of the OCD cycle.

Pure O is sometimes confused with high-functioning anxiety or even depression, but it’s a unique struggle. So no, Pure O is not just obsessions. There are compulsions too, but they happen inside the mind. That’s why it often gets missed or misunderstood.

Symptoms and Examples of Pure O OCD

People with Pure O OCD get scary thoughts that don’t match who they are. These thoughts show up without warning and are very hard to ignore. The person might feel shocked, upset, or even guilty for having them. But here’s the truth: everyone gets weird thoughts sometimes. People with Pure O just get stuck on them.

Obsessions in Pure O OCD

Obsessions are thoughts, images, or worries that don’t stop repeating. Some common ones in Pure O include:

• “What if I hurt someone I love?”
• “What if I did something wrong and don’t remember?”
• “What if I’m a bad person?”
• “What if I’m not in love with my partner?”
• “What if I go to hell?”

These thoughts are not what the person wants. They often go against their values and make them feel afraid or confused. They may also overlap with themes found in high-functioning depression or complex PTSD when left untreated.

Mental Compulsions in Pure O OCD

Even if someone isn’t washing their hands or checking locks, they may be doing mental rituals to feel better. These are called mental compulsions. Here are a few:

• Repeating a phrase or prayer in their head
• Going over the thought again and again
• Asking others for reassurance (“You’d tell me if I was dangerous, right?”)
• Trying not to think the thought (which makes it come back stronger!)

These rituals may bring short-term relief, but they actually make OCD stronger over time similar to patterns seen in anxiety-related dizziness and panic disorders.

Causes and Risk Factors of Pure O OCD

Doctors don’t know one exact cause of Pure O OCD, but there are a few things that can raise your risk:

• Family history: If someone in your family has OCD or anxiety, your chances may be higher. Learn more about genetic mental health risks.
• Brain chemistry: Problems with how the brain handles serotonin (a brain chemical) can play a part.
• Stressful events: Big life changes, scary events, or trauma may trigger OCD.
• Personality traits: People who are very careful, moral, or sensitive might be more likely to develop Pure O.

Remember: It’s not your fault. Pure O is a medical condition, not a choice. And it can be treated with tools like EMDR for anxiety or mental health therapy in Georgia.

How Do I Know If I Have Pure O OCD?

If you keep having unwanted thoughts that make you feel scared, guilty, or anxious and you try to fight them in your head, you might have Pure O. These thoughts feel stuck. You may spend hours thinking about them, even if you don’t want to. If you feel like you always need to be 100% sure you’re safe or “good,” that could also be a sign.

It’s important to know that Pure O is not just overthinking. It’s a real mental health condition, and it can be treated. If your thoughts are getting in the way of your daily life, school, work, or relationships, it’s time to reach out for help.

Getting Diagnosed with Pure O

A trained mental health professional in Georgia like a therapist or psychiatrist can help you figure out if you have Pure O. They may ask questions about your thoughts, feelings, and how you try to cope with them. It’s okay to feel nervous or embarrassed. These experts won’t judge you. They’ve heard it all before.

Many people with Pure O wait too long to get help because they’re scared their thoughts make them a bad person. But these thoughts are symptoms, not secrets. Talking to a professional is the first step to feeling better.

Treatment Options for Pure O OCD

Pure O can feel scary, but there is help and many people recover with the right support. You don’t have to stay stuck in your head forever. Treatment can help you feel safe, calm, and in control again.

Therapy for Pure O (Including Exposure and Response Prevention)

The best treatment for Pure O is a type of therapy called ERP, or Exposure and Response Prevention. In ERP, you face your scary thoughts on purpose but you learn not to do the mental rituals. Over time, your brain stops reacting with fear.

For example: if you’re afraid of hurting someone, your therapist might ask you to imagine the thought but not try to cancel it. This helps you learn that thoughts aren’t dangerous, and you don’t have to do anything about them.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is also helpful. It teaches you how to handle your thoughts in a healthier way and is often used to treat both OCD and high-functioning depression.

Medications for Pure O

Some people with Pure O also take medication to help with their symptoms. Doctors often suggest SSRIs (a type of antidepressant) to calm down the brain’s worry center. These medicines won’t erase your thoughts, but they can make them feel less powerful. Common SSRIs include:

• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)

These medications are also used for mixing benzos and antidepressants, which can be risky if not carefully managed. Medication works best when used with therapy. Always talk to a doctor before starting or stopping any medicine.

Coping Strategies for Pure O OCD

While therapy and medication are the most effective ways to treat Pure O, there are things you can do every day to help yourself feel better. These small steps can make a big difference over time:

• Let the thoughts be there. Don’t fight them. Just notice them and let them pass.
• Stop seeking 100% certainty. You don’t need to “prove” your thoughts are false.
• Label your thoughts. Say, “This is just an OCD thought. It’s not me.”
• Stay present. Use deep breathing, grounding exercises, or mindfulness techniques.
• Don’t avoid triggers. Facing what scares you (with support) helps retrain your brain.
• Limit reassurance. Try not to ask others for comfort over and over, it feeds the OCD cycle.

If your Pure O is tied to other conditions like high-functioning anxiety or past trauma, combining ERP with EMDR therapy may be especially helpful. You’re not alone in this. These tools can help you take back your peace of mind.

Conclusion

If you’ve been stuck with scary thoughts that don’t go away, and you’ve been fighting them in your mind you’re not broken. You’re not alone. And you’re not the only one.

Pure O OCD is real, and it can be hard to live with. But the good news is: it can get better. With the right tools like therapy, support, and maybe medication you can stop the cycle and feel peace again.

You don’t have to hide your thoughts. You don’t have to keep them a secret. Talking to someone can be the first step toward feeling like yourself again.

Need support in Georgia? We’re here to help at Novu Wellness in Roswell. Let’s take that first step together.