Book rec's for "Pure O" OCD

I have a friend who is struggling with "Pure O" OCD (OCD that is almost all obsession, and very little, if any compulsion). She is working with a good therapist, but wants to do some work on her own. She is getting frustrated with a lot of the books out there because they don't seem to be a good fit for her. She says the books talk so much about things like hand washing and stuff like that (compulsions) and that isn't her issue.

Any ideas for her? She really wants to beat this!!!

Best,
EJ

Hi EJ,

I'm afraid I don't have any book recommendations, but I just wanted to post that I can relate to your friend's frustration. It definitely is possible to overcome Pure O, however, without a book on the subject. I suffered from it horribly a few years back, leading me to be hospitalized 4 separate times for it, but eventually overcame it with a wonderful therapist and lots of hard work.

If you have any questions, please feel free to pm me.

Here's a good website with a lot of info - hopefully they can recommend a good book.
I hope your friend finds good help.

http://www.ocdla.com/obsessionalOCD.html

I have the opposite....pure compulsions without obsessions. Any recommendataions for that?

Thanks so much! It was also helpful to me in understanding what she is experiencing!

EJ

I recommended this book on the sticky thread a while back. A book called "Life In Rewind" by Michael Jenike & Edward Zines for OCD sufferers. There also another website www.OCDGETHELP.org I hope this helps.

I totally feel for her.

I was struggling with (and still am) that particular form of OCD (I've had other forms too) and I'd say it is THE WORST form, because it's detrimental to your self esteem in multiple ways. I'd suggest maybe: "Get out of Your Mind and Into your Life" or "The OCD Workbook". Haven't found any books that particularly emphasize this form of OCD myself, though.

I also want to tell you, without frightening you both too much, that the "Pure-O" form of OCD is strongly related to bipolar disorder (depressions and manias or, just small manias), which I am suffering from myself. So just look out for moodswings that are a little beyond normal, too..

bipolarmedstudent:

No books in particular, but I know a technique called simply "response prevention" in which you actively force yourself not to do the damaging behaviours, maybe by rewarding yourself a little when you don't do it.. It's definitely hard, as the brain will cry out for you to do the compulsions, but I think it can be worth it. Maybe try googling it?

Thank you! I did not know that about bp. I will (gently) suggest that she bring that up with her mental health professionals.

EJ