Purely obsessional thinking, or “Pure O” is when repetitive, ritualistic, or obsessional thinking is present without the behavioral rituals. In Stop Obsessing, Drs. Edna Foa, PhD and Reid Wilson, PhD describe the symptoms in more detail.
Reduce distress by using internal arguments
Perform specific and exact mental routines to get relief from obsessional thoughts
When triggered by a distressing thought, Pure O’s will create a reassuring thought to help reduce their distress.
The reassuring thought typically lasts for a brief period of time before the distressing thought reappears.
The pattern is then repeated.
This pattern is typical for most people when they feel distressed. Pure O individuals are different because they experience an internal dialog that is extreme and the lack of relief from the reassuring thought makes them feel out of control.
For example:
Pure O Thought: I am going to be fired
Reassuring Thought: You were promoted during the most recent cycle. They wouldn’t promote you and then fire you.
Pure O Thought: There’s always a first time
Reassuring Thought: You just received a positive call out at an all hands meeting last month
Pure O Thought: But I needed to ask for more time last week to complete the presentation for my team. There’s no way they don’t fire me.
Reassuring Thought: Other people have asked for more time for their projects, and they weren’t fired
Pure O Thought: Yes, but they are more talented than you. You know you don’t really belong on this team.
Etc…
Any situation where someone could be harmed
Any place that provokes anxiety thoughts
Any situation where the Pure O could make a mistake
Clients at Good Therapy SF tend to be most triggered by these types of situations. For example, clients that are first time managers often feel they make many mistakes a day, because they are learning a new skill.
Harsh criticism of self or others
The thought of having made a mistake or doing something wrong
Guilt about the past
Thoughts of some unpleasant future experience
For example, clients that focus on setting new boundaries with others are fearful people will no longer like them or want to be associated with them.
I will fail
Something bad will happen to me / others
I will accidentally hurt someone
I will lose control and go crazy
I will be embarrassed
I will be punished
For example, someone could irrationally believe that if they stop telling themselves they are going to fail a test, then they will no longer be motivated to study, and they will be “punished” by failing.
Praying
Counting
Making mental lists
Retracing activities in memory
Mentally repeating phrases
It’s not uncommon for a Pure O to have a “go to phrase” or series of phrases that provide some relief as they are being spoken or thought out, but fail to provide relief after the fact. This short term relief is what reinforces the ritualistic nature of the compulsions.
Pure O is a unique sub-type of OCD. While there is a lack of compulsive behaviors, the ritualistic thoughts are no less triggering for Pure O sufferers. For help with Pure O and other anxiety disorders, feel free to reach out to Good Therapy SF.
