Do you ever have intrusive thoughts that you can’t get out of your head? Thoughts that make you feel ashamed, guilty, or embarrassed? If so, you may be experiencing Pure O OCD. This type of OCD is characterized by unwanted thoughts or images that pop into your head, rather than outward compulsions like hand-washing or checking locks. In this blog post, we will discuss what Pure O OCD is, the symptoms associated with it, and how to get treatment.
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What Is Pure O OCD?
Pure O OCD is a type of OCD that is characterized by unwanted intrusive thoughts or images. These thoughts can be about anything that might cause you anxiety, shame, or embarrassment. They can be related to your relationships, your body image, or your fear of harm coming to yourself or others.
Unlike other types of OCD, Pure O does not typically involve outward compulsions like hand-washing or checking locks. Instead, the compulsions associated with Pure O OCD are internal. They may include mentally reviewing events to try to prevent a bad outcome, counting or organizing things in your head, or avoiding people or situations that trigger intrusive thoughts.
Symptoms Of Pure O OCD
The symptoms can vary from person to person. However, there are some common symptoms that many people with this condition experience. These include:
- Intrusive thoughts or images that cause anxiety, shame, or embarrassment
- Compulsions that are mental in nature, such as reviewing events or counting in your head
- Avoidance of people or situations that trigger your intrusive thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks due to OCD-related thoughts
Although for some people, the symptoms of Pure O OCD may be mild, for others, they can be severe and debilitating.
Causes Of Pure O OCD
There is no one answer to this question as the cause of OCD can be different for each individual. However, there are some risk factors that have been associated with the development of OCD, such as:
- Family history
- Genetic predisposition
- Certain environmental factors
Moreover, studies have shown that people with OCD tend to have higher levels of anxiety and stress in their lives. This may be one of the reasons why people with OCD are more likely to develop pure o symptoms, as they are constantly seeking ways to reduce their anxiety and stress levels.
Treatment For Pure O OCD
Treatment typically includes a combination of medication and therapy. Medication is often used to help control the anxiety and stress levels that are associated with the disorder, while therapy can help patients learn how to manage their obsessions and compulsions. There are a number of treatment options available for Pure O OCD. These include:
ERP (Exposure And Response Prevention)
ERP is a type of therapy that involves gradually exposing yourself to the things that trigger your OCD thoughts, without engaging in compulsions or avoidance behaviors. For example, if you are afraid of germs, your therapist may have you touch doorknobs and other objects that you normally would avoid. Over time, you will learn that your intrusive thoughts are not true and that you can manage your anxiety without engaging in compulsions.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
CBT focuses on changing the way you think about your OCD thoughts, which can help reduce your anxiety and improve your ability to cope with these thoughts. During CBT, you will work with a therapist to identify and challenge the negative beliefs that contribute to your OCD. For example, if you believe that having intrusive thoughts means you are a bad person, your therapist will help you to understand that this is not true and will help you to develop more realistic and healthy beliefs.
Medication
The most common and effective medications belong to a class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which includes fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil). Another type of drug that may be prescribed is tricyclic antidepressants like Anafranil (clomipramine)
The treatment (or combination of treatments) is determined by a patient’s specific requirements. If a patient is unable or unwilling to take medication, for example, a therapist might use CBT alone. Alternatively, if patients do not have access to a CBT provider or are not interested in exposure-based therapies, they may be prescribed medicines alone.
Self-Help Strategies for Pure O OCD
If you have Pure O OCD, there are a number of self-help strategies that can be effective in managing symptoms.
Keeping a journal
This can help you to track your thoughts and behaviors, and to identify any patterns that may be triggering your OCD. Take note of how many times you repeat yourself. Write down all of your urges and compulsions, as well as the thoughts associated with them.
Mindfulness
Focusing on the present moment helps to let go of intrusive thoughts. Being aware of the present can help you to become less focused on your OCD. Most common mindfulness practices include:
- Taking short breaks for relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation
- Practicing yoga or exercising
- Doing a guided meditation
- Focusing on one thing at a time
Support Groups
There are many online and in-person support groups available, which can provide you with valuable information and support. Being a part of the community can help you to feel less alone in your struggle with OCD. OCD can be a very isolating disorder, but there are many people who understand what you are going through. Finding others who share your experience can be incredibly helpful. There are also a number of helpful books and websites that provide information and support for people with Pure O OCD.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, Pure O OCD is a type of OCD that is characterized by intrusive thoughts. These thoughts can be about anything but are usually about something that the person fears or is anxious about. Pure O OCD can be very distressing and debilitating, but there are treatments available that can help. If you think you might have Pure O OCD, it is important to talk to a mental health professional. With proper treatment, many people with OCD are able to live happy and fulfilling lives.
For more insights into dealing with OCD, you can reach out to Therapy Mantra. Our team of highly professional mental health experts offers reliable and effective online therapy services. Visit our website to book an online therapy session or you may also download our free OCD treatment app on Android or iOS for more information.
