Luke Combs Talks About Managing Purely Obsessional OCD in His Life

## Luke Combs’ Journey with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be an exhausting experience, as shared by Luke Combs during a recent conversation on *Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard*. For Combs, this challenge isn’t just a part of his life; it’s an ongoing struggle. He expressed, “I don’t think it’s part of my success at all. If I just never had it, that would be awesome. There’s no good parts of it other than when you don’t have it.”

## Understanding Pure O

Combs has candidly discussed his battles with a specific type of OCD known as “Pure O,” or primarily obsessional OCD. Although not officially categorized in the *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders* (DSM-5), this type is characterized by intrusive and distressing thoughts. These thoughts can manifest as intense anxiety and violent imagery.

### The Inner Workings of Obsession

To illustrate this, Combs likened his mental experience to a passing bird; once it’s noticed, it becomes difficult to stop thinking about it. “It’s like a bird flying by. You just go, ‘Oh, there’s a bird,’ and then… the more you wonder why it flew by, the more it starts flying by,” he explained. This cycle of anxiety can lead to constant rumination, making it hard to escape such thoughts.

### The Diagnosis Journey

Combs was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder during his teenage years but felt it didn’t fully capture his experience. Discovering the concept of Pure O made a significant difference for him. “Once I found the Pure O thing, it was like, oh my God, this is what I have,” he shared, recognizing the symptoms more clearly.

### Relationship OCD

Part of Combs’ experience with OCD includes what he describes as “relationship OCD.” He conveyed how doubts can arise about his feelings towards loved ones, particularly, “One of the themes of Pure O is like, do I really love my wife? Do I really love my kids?” He noted that these worries often indicate deep care rather than a lack of love.

## Taking Control of OCD

While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, Combs has actively researched ways to manage his symptoms. Simple lifestyle changes, such as eliminating gluten to decrease inflammation, have been beneficial for him. “For me, it was like, man, how can I just change what I’m eating, what I’m doing, just everything,” he noted, emphasizing how his life revolves around managing OCD.

### Progress Over Time

Fortunately, Combs has observed improvement in his symptoms over time, stating, “It’s been something that’s gotten better for me.” His journey highlights the importance of understanding and addressing OCD, encouraging others facing similar challenges.

Have you or someone you know navigated the complexities of OCD? How do you manage it in daily life?