Yes. Absolutely. And it is one of the most under-diagnosed forms of the condition.
The technical name is purely obsessional OCD, often shortened to Pure O. The label is slightly misleading: there are still compulsions. They are simply mental rather than physical.
What mental compulsions look like
These behaviours are invisible to anyone watching. To the sufferer, they can consume hours every day.
Why this gets misdiagnosed
Standard OCD screening questions focus on visible behaviour: do you wash excessively, check repeatedly, hoard? Someone with purely mental compulsions answers "no" to all of them — and walks out with a diagnosis of generalised anxiety, depression, or "just overthinking".
The result is years of wrong treatment. SSRIs without targeted OCD work. CBT focused on the wrong loop. Mindfulness apps that, in this specific condition, can become yet another mental ritual.
Why the right diagnosis matters
Once Pure O is correctly identified, the path forward becomes clear. The mechanism is identical to classic OCD: an obsession triggers anxiety; a compulsion (mental, in this case) neutralises it; relief reinforces the loop.
The treatment principle is the same: address the underlying sensitised anxiety response, and the obsessional thoughts lose their power.
Where LAR fits
LAR Coaching specialises in cases that have been misdiagnosed or partially treated. The programme works for visible OCD and for Pure O alike — because it targets the upstream cause both share.
The next step
If any of this resonates, book a free 30-minute Recovery Call with one of our LAR Coaches. No pressure, no obligation — just a real conversation about what is happening to you and whether the LAR programme is the right fit. Sessions are delivered worldwide via Zoom, Phone or FaceTime.