What is Purely Obsessional ("Pure O") Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? (Primarily Cognitive OCD)

This video describes the concept of purely obsessional OCD (also referred to as “Pure O,” primarily cognitive OCD, OCD with covert compulsions, and primarily obsessional OCD). All these terms are referring to the same construct. It's not a mental health disorder, but rather a particular presentation we sometimes see with obsessive-compulsive disorder. With obsessive-compulsive disorder, we usually think of this disorder as having both obsessions and compulsions. In rare instances it can have only obsessions or only compulsions. The term Pure O is not referring to a presentation of OCD that only has obsessions, but rather a presentation of OCD that has obsessions and covert compulsions. Obsessions are thoughts images and impulses that are disturbing intrusive and unwanted. Compulsions are behaviors that occur to neutralize those obsessions. What we see with Pure O are obsessions and covert compulsions. With Pure O the obsessions have a different type of characteristic than with regular OCD. The obsessions are oftentimes violent, sexual, offensive, or evil types of thoughts, images and impulses.
The term Pure O is misleading. I prefer the term “primarily cognitive OCD.” The reason the term Pure O is misleading is because there is a type of OCD that only has obsessions, but that's not to what Pure O is referring. Someone could hear the term Pure O and not only fail to understand what it's about, but believe it's about something entirely different.

Видео What is Purely Obsessional ("Pure O") Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? (Primarily Cognitive OCD) канала Dr. Todd Grande