In a heartfelt and candid interview on "60 Minutes Australia," country music superstar Luke Combs unveiled his ongoing battle with an uncommon variety of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), specifically Purely Obsessional OCD, or Pure O, a struggle he has faced since the tender age of 12. He revealed that his recent tour was marred by his "worst flare-up" in years.
"These are thoughts you actively resist," he elucidated, describing the condition as both "tedious" and "debilitating." "They instill stress, which in turn feeds more of these unwanted thoughts. You find yourself trapped in a cycle, trying in vain to extinguish them, only to find they multiply with each attempt."
At 35, Combs counts himself "lucky" to have honed an expertise in navigating Pure O, having lived with it for over two decades. "When it strikes, it can consume your every thought," he confessed to reporter Adam Hegarty, adding that severe episodes could persist for weeks, with "45 seconds of every minute consumed by these intrusions."
The crooner behind hits like "Forever After All," who shares sons Tex, 2, and Beau, 1, with his wife Nicole Combs, described Pure O as "particularly malevolent," noting that his intrusive thoughts sometimes leaned towards violence.
"The key to overcoming it is acknowledging that the content of these thoughts holds no intrinsic significance," he shared. "Granting them any credence only fans the flames. You must learn to accept their presence, saying to yourself, 'So be it. It's happening. It's just a thought.' It's odd, frustrating,可恨至极, driving me insane, but the less you dwell on why they arise, the sooner they fade away."
While Pure O is not officially listed in the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," Healthline confirms that professionals employ the term to differentiate it from traditional OCD, characterized by both mental obsessions and physical compulsions.
Grappling with anxiety as well, Combs chose to vocalize his challenges, hoping to be a beacon for others grappling with this lesser-known affliction. "I aspire to dedicate some time in my life to reaching out to kids who endure this, as it has stymied me countless times," he told Hegarty.
"… It's entirely feasible to live a fulfilling life, achieve remarkable success, build a wonderful family, and fulfill your dreams, even amidst battling demons you'd rather not face."
