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Information for Individuals

What is “Pure O”?

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Read the article: Pure “O” – Fact or Fiction?

Over the years, a theory of “Pure O” or “pure obsession” was raised by some in the field of OCD study. According to this theory, a person had a “different” type of OCD because the person was not observed to perform visible compulsions.

Today, this theory is not supported by most experts.

OCD is a combination of obsessions and compulsions that take up a significant amount of time each day. While most compulsions are easily seen—such as repeated hand washing, checking that locks are secured or a kitchen stove is turned off, compulsions do not have to be physical acts.

Compulsions can be mental processes or rituals (such as prayers, counting, or saying words or phrases to keep bad things from happening). These kinds of “invisible” acts also are done in an attempt to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions.

It’s easy to see how someone could be confused about compulsions if they believed those compulsions must be physical acts to be the “typical” kind of OCD. But whether or not compulsions are visible, someone who suffers with obsessions must seek help to get relief from OCD.

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Symptoms

Expert Perspectives

Relationship of Eating Disorders to OCD

Eating disorders are difficult to treat and in most cases, difficult to diagnose especially if it is superimposed with OCD or its spectrum. Eating disorders happen to be more prevalent (5-10 million people) within the United States than Alzheimer’s (4 million) or mood disorders. In fact, 3% of all young women affected by eating disorders suffer from Anorexia Nervosa; 3-4% suffer from bulimia and 15% of the population are affected by some sort of eating disorder. Between 1988 to 1993, Bulimia in females aged 10-39 in this country has more than tripled. Currently, only 6% of the bulimic patients are being treated psychiatrically. Statistics have proven that eating disorders in fact have the highest rate of mortality comparable to any psychiatric disorder within the United States. According to an epidemiological study conducted by Stanford University in 1984, OCD spectrum disorders have a 0.8% -2% prevalence across the country. It is apparent that these disorders are on the rise and the fact is diagnosing each one is a difficult task. It takes a diligent clinician and a willing individual to realize the issue at hand and with the right tools, it may in fact be possible to spot risk factors and/or signs or symptoms of the disorder early on.