Country Music Star One of 2.5M Americans with Debilitating Condition
Country music star Luke Combs recently shined a light on a much misunderstood mental-health issue when he opened up about his personal struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
OCD is a chronic mental health condition characterized by obsessions — persistent, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress — and compulsions — repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared outcome.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 2.5 million adults in the United States live with OCD.
Misconceptions About OCD
In popular culture, people who like order or tidiness or who are particular about the way they want things are often described as “being OCD.”
In reality, while some people with OCD may have cleanliness-related compulsions, OCD is not just about being a “clean freak.” It’s about intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) meant to reduce anxiety. True OCD is a mental health disorder that causes significant distress and disrupts daily functioning. It’s not a quirky personality trait, nor does it affect everyone in the same way.
To understand it better, imagine a scenario in which you have a passing thought that you might have left the stove on after cooking. A person without OCD would check the stove and see that it’s off (or turn it off if it were on) and then continue on with their day. A person with OCD might check the stove repeatedly and understand on a rational level that it’s off, but still be unable to shake the idea that it still might be on. They might visualize it burning down their home and hurting their loved ones and neighbors. The next day, they might drive halfway to work and then turn around to go home and check it again because they can’t let their worry go. While at work, they’re still thinking about the stove, and rush home at the end of the day to check it again. They might avoid going out with friends because they need to stay home to keep checking the stove. They could stop cooking on the stove entirely, hoping that that will stop the concern, but even so, they still need to check it throughout the day, every day. This can last for weeks or months, potentially harming their personal relationships and disrupting their careers.
Or consider Luke Combs, who has Purely Obsessional OCD, or Pure O. “It’s thoughts, essentially, that you don’t want to have,” he explains. “And then they cause you stress, and then you’re stressed out, and then the stress causes you to have more of the thoughts, and then you don’t understand why you’re having them, and you’re trying to get rid of them, but trying to get rid of them makes you have more of them…It can be all-consuming.”
When he has a “really bad flare-up” the thoughts can “last 45 seconds of every minute for weeks.”
Types of OCD
OCD can look very different from person to person, but clinicians and researchers often group OCD into common subtypes or themes to better understand and treat it. Here are just some of the most recognized:
Checking OCD
- Obsession: Fear of harm due to negligence (e.g., “Did I leave the stove on?”).
- Compulsion: Repeatedly checking the stove, locks, lights, or appliances even when you know they’re off.
Contamination OCD
- Obsession: Fear of germs, dirt, or contamination.
- Compulsion: Excessive handwashing, cleaning, or avoiding public places like bathrooms or hospitals.
Symmetry and Ordering OCD
- Obsession: Need for symmetry, exactness, or things being “just right.”
- Compulsion: Arranging objects in a precise way, evening out actions (e.g., tapping the left hand if you tapped the right).
Intrusive Thoughts OCD/ Pure O (Primarily Obsessional OCD)
- Obsession: Disturbing or taboo thoughts (e.g., sexual, violent, or blasphemous ideas. Fear of hurting oneself or others.)
- Compulsion: Mental rituals like praying, counting, or neutralizing thoughts to “undo” or cancel the bad thought.
Hoarding OCD (distinct from Hoarding Disorder)
- Obsession: Fear of discarding something important or of future regret.
- Compulsion: Accumulating items, even those with little or no value, and difficulty letting go.
Harm OCD
- Obsessions: Fear of accidentally or intentionally hurting others or oneself.
- Compulsions: Avoiding sharp objects, seeking reassurance, reviewing memories.
Perfectionism OCD
- Obsessions: Fear of making mistakes, not being good enough, or being imperfect.
- Compulsions: Overchecking work, redoing tasks, avoidance of performance.
Types of Help Available for OCD
The good news is that OCD is treatable, and several effective options are available, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and medication, often used in combination.
Despite the availability of treatments, many people with OCD do not seek help. Several factors contribute to this:
- Shame and Stigma – Many people feel embarrassed about their intrusive thoughts or compulsions and worry about being judged.
- Lack of Awareness – Some individuals don’t recognize that they have a treatable disorder. They may think their thoughts and behaviors are just how they are.
- Fear of Misunderstanding – Many people fear that therapists or doctors won’t understand their experiences, especially if they have taboo or distressing obsessions.
- Doubt and Avoidance – OCD itself often creates uncertainty, making people doubt whether they should seek help or if treatment will work for them.
Need Help?
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of OCD that are interfering with your daily life, ETHOS Treatment Centers’ expert — and empathetic — therapists can help.
Reach out to us for more information at info@ethostreatment.com or 267-669-0300.
About Ethos Treatment
Ethos Treatment LLC is a behavioral healthcare provider accredited by The Joint Commission to treat mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Licensed clinicians lead Intensive Outpatient Programs in Pennsylvania via telehealth and at seven locations: Broomall, Collegeville, Jenkintown, Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, West Chester and Wyomissing. Ethos accepts most insurance.