"Pure O" OCD: Letting Go of Obsessive Thoughts with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

I write as a psychology professor and author of an autobiography written as a sufferer from OCD. I found Chad’s book most illuminating and particularly liked how he included his own ‘obsessional quirks’. This made him feel so approachable and almost one of the club. I would raise two related issues, as follows.I wonder (‘obsess over’!) whether the title “”Pure O” OCD” is something of a misnomer. By ‘pure’, this suggests that there can be O without any associated C. As far as I can see, this does not exist since in even invisible O, as in cognitive rumination without any visible behavioural C, the brain will generate an invisible cognitive C. Also, as Chad illuminates, even a so-called pure OCD-er will often seek reassurance. Having said this, I cannot find any better title for the phenomenon or the book!Related to this, Chad does not describe the phenomenon where there is a real unambiguous thing to fear (feel bad about), such as having a diagnosed terminal illness, a troubling life-long deformity, a rumination on death or the existence of evil in the world. Let me draw a contrast:Jack might agree that it is illogical to obsess over the fact that someone sneezed near his coat but still can’t stop obsessing over it and would prefer not to do so.Bill is a sex-starved incel who is desperately unhappy. He feels it to be perfectly rational to experience intense negative emotion at his status. However, he wishes to stop the torment of being reminded every few minutes of this. In the street, reading magazines or getting a wedding invitation, Bill is bombarded by images that remind him of his plight. Bill tries to ignore the aversive images but to no avail.I believe that Edna Foa’s term ‘over-valued ideation’ might describe this but ‘over-valued’ is a subjective term. Here, somewhat in the spirit of Woody Allen, one might argue that it would be abnormal not to have perfectly rational moments of negative emotion linked to one’s obsessional theme. However, one would still not wish to have such fears pop into the conscious mind every few minutes.In summary, I strongly recommend this book.(Prof.) Frederick Toates, UK

Definitely worth a read as has great examples I can relate to as someone who would identify as having Purr O about my partner.I would have liked to know if sitting down and rationalising the thoughts or worst case scenarios would ever be useful. As in Albert Ellis’ work on irrational beliefs driving the anxiety. I think with Pure O rationalising can often end up confusing the picture however if the compulsion is to over rationalise in a way of gaining certainty then could increase stickiness and thought fusion. For me I think it’s a bit of both.Thank you for the excellent book.

This is a really good book, I have sufferd with servere OCD for a long time, despite having plenty of insight, I found this book very helpful

Informative and good examples of how 'Pure O' can affect people. I feel more confident promoting acceptance and commitment therapy - Thank you Chad