The main characteristics of Pure Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has become one of the most common mental disorders over the years.

Commonly, when we think of OCD, we imagine a person who has the need to wash their hands excessively, or well in a person who has to turn the light switch on and off a certain number of times to feel quiet.

However, OCD does not always present visible compulsions, sometimes obsessions with mental compulsions or without compulsions can occur. When this happens we could be talking about a type of OCD known as Pure Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

• Related article: "" Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): What is it and how does it manifest? "

What is an obsession and what is a compulsion?

We could define the concept of obsession as an intense and persistent thought in relation to a specific topic. The obsession can vary in intensity and frequency, it can range from a slight transitory thought, to a constant thought that encompasses all of a person's attention and mental energy.

On the other hand we have the concept of

compulsion, which we can define as a behavior that aims to neutralize the anxiety generated by the obsession. Compulsion as well as obsession can range from brief and discreet behavior to very conspicuous behavior.

For the cycle of obsession and compulsion to occur, there must be an event that introduces or precipitates the obsessive idea. It can be an everyday experience like a conversation about a specific topic.

Some examples of common obsessions and compulsions in people with OCD:

• Precipitating event: watch a documentary about lethal microorganisms.

• Obsession: the idea of ​​thinking that surfaces are contaminated by harmful microorganisms Compulsion: Constantly cleaning surfaces to eliminate germs.

• Precipitating event: read about the number of accidents that occur daily.

• Obsession: thinking that loved ones are going to suffer a fatal accident

• Compulsion: turn the light on and off to prevent the catastrophic event from happening.

• You may be interested in: "Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder: What is it?"

Characteristics of Pure Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

In this subtype of OCD a precipitating event generates the obsession, but the compulsions are not observable for the people who live around the affected with OCD. In these cases, the obsession is very intense and can completely take over the person's attention.

Let's see some Pure TOC example:

• Precipitating idea: reading about a recently committed crime.

• Obsession: the person constantly wonders if he would be capable of committing a similar crime.

• Compulsion: analyze and reflect on your own thoughts to see if you have violent ideas. Imagine scenarios where one harms others to check one's own reaction.

• Precipitating event: in a conversation the question arises about the meaning of life

• Obsession: constantly wondering about the meaning of life or the nature of the universe

• Compulsion: reflect, verify and even generate mental debates to find answers related to the universe and the meaning of existence.

What are the causes of pure OCD?

Like any other psychological / psychiatric condition, we could say that the causes that generate the appearance of OCD are multifactorial, but in essence we could expose some factors that influence the manifestation of this picture the following elements.

1. Neurobiological factors

The latest studies have described alterations in the serotonergic systems. Observing low production of serotonin and therefore a high activity of the orbitofrontal cortex.

Other studies associate the manifestation of OCD with alterations in the amygdala and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These alterations would explain the deficits in tasks such as planning and work memoryas well as cognitive rigidity and high levels of anxiety in people diagnosed with OCD.

• Related article: "The 3 differences between neuropsychology and psychobiology"

2. Family / systemic factors

Within the family factors we can commonly find histories in which education is strict and sometimes rigid. Ambivalence can be observed on the part of the father figures, and a mother figure may coexist extremely present and overprotective, with an emotionally distant or totally distant father figure absent.

It is common for OCD patients to grow up in homes where strong religious and moral beliefs prevailed. Perfectionism and fear of error they are two elements inherited from a severe education. During adolescence, the sum of rigid central beliefs and introjected irrational ideas crystallize obsessive compulsive behaviors and therefore OCD.

3. Cognitive / behavioral factors

In people diagnosed with OCD it is common to observe a set of irrational central ideas about themselves and the world. Some beliefs are related to an incessant need to feel useful and productive, avoiding failure at all costs through overly excessive measures or even the core belief of being in control of all things all the time. Ideas that are impossible to maintain over time and that when colliding with reality generate anxiety and depressive symptoms.

• You may be interested in: "Dysfunctional perfectionism: causes, symptoms and treatment"

What does pure OCD look like on a person?

It is common to observe that obsessive ideas manifested in pure OCD are related to questions or statements that are difficult to verify or answer. The vast majority of themes present in pure obsessions are religious, interpersonal, or existential.

A person with pure OCD may begin to wonder if he really is in love with her partner, if he is fulfilling her life mission, or even if existence makes sense.

All of the above are extremely subjective questions before which the observable verification is difficult to happen, which generates that the obsession is intense and the compulsion is present in a mental space (be aware of the thoughts you have or have discussions about the subject with one same).

What is the treatment for pure OCD?

Psychotherapy and psychopharmacological treatment significantly improve the quality of life of people with OCD, since obsessions, rumination and anxiety decrease. Medicines are used in pharmacology Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), while a good response has been observed when using Exposure Therapy with Response Prevention (EPR).

On the other hand, it is advisable to make certain changes in daily habits such as implementing a routine of exercise, reduce or avoid alcohol consumption, and integrate activities that allow socializing with others persons.

Finally, the latest neurobiological studies indicate that reducing the consumption of gluten can improve the state mental health of people affected with OCD and anxiety disorders, due to the relationship between gluten and anxiety.