taurean Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 (edited) And, for me, there is a simple answer - not! OCD obsessive thoughts produce compulsions, whether these are overt, or covert. Where no obvious compulsions are visible, then examining the sufferers thinking processes will usually reveal mental compulsions such as re-assurance-seeking, researching, ruminating. So, for me, the term is a non sequitur and I would like to see it phased out. Edited March 24, 2017 by taurean typo Link to comment
worriedjohn Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Definitely. Pure-O is a absolutely technically wrong term. OCD can't exist without compulsion. Mental compulsions are nothing other than compulsion and patient needs to work in stopping them just like physical compulsions. Link to comment
taurean Posted March 24, 2017 Author Share Posted March 24, 2017 Yep. You can't beat OCD if you are carrying out compulsions - they all need to be exposed and dealt with. Link to comment
taurean Posted March 24, 2017 Author Share Posted March 24, 2017 The other danger of using the term is appearing to be different to other sufferers. Well, those of us who have been around a while know that deep down the disorder works in a similar way whatever the theme in which it is expressed - frankly we can obsess and compulse about literally anything, as these forums show. Link to comment
OceanDweller Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 I concur. 'Pure O' is a myth. Some compulsions are just less obvious than others. Link to comment
paradoxer Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 I agree, it's a misnomer. I think it's all right as a quick/easy reference to describe primarily mental rituals, if it's followed up with some qualification - I often use 'so-called ...' Link to comment
Lynz Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 I agree. Also I've found that most people who say they suffer from pure O have physical compulsions anyway, but they are just more subtle. I'd love to see the term phased out as it is a real barrier to treatment when you think you have this special case of OCD that the CBT books don't talk about. Link to comment
Caramoole Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Whilst I agree with what's being said, I don't think people think that theirs is special or different as such. I feel that many take the term as meaning "horrid thoughts" type OCD, with no obvious physical behaviours. This often happens before they know anything about the condition or at least, very little. That's why we need to raise awareness so that people (including health professionals) start to understand. Link to comment
taurean Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 I think I will do my awareness bit by explaining this whenever I come across the term being used Link to comment
Lynz Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Well I used to think my "pure O" was a special, more untreatable type of OCD. I spent years trying to find "the right" treatment for it because I was convinced it wasn't "normal OCD". I know differently now of course. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now