Ezra, 27, opened up on the BBC’s How Do You Cope? podcast about the difficulties he faces living with an uncommon form of OCD called ‘Pure O’. He told listeners that he has had the condition all his life but did not identify it until recently.
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) causes sufferers to experience recurring intrusive thoughts, which lead to ‘obsessions’ and uncontrollable (compulsive) ritualistic behaviours. A common example of OCD is having repetitive thoughts about bacteria, leading to an obsession with hygiene and the compulsion to repeatedly wash your hands.
The ‘Pure O’ form of the condition, however, causes predominantly mental symptoms; sufferers like Ezra rarely physically acting upon their obsessive thoughts. The star explained: ‘We all know OCD. We hear of extreme cases when people have to flick a light switch a certain number of times before they can leave the house. My understanding is that it’s a physical reaction to intrusive thought patterns. Pure O is when you have [those] thought patterns without the physical [urges] to relieve them’.
Series 2 of How Do You Cope? … with Elis James and John Robins is out weekly from Tuesday 1st September
Guests include @george_ezra, @Emmabarnett, @MontyPanesar and so many more.
Subscribe now on BBC Sounds https://t.co/nqgushvYBK@elisjames | @nomadicrevery pic.twitter.com/UttTZFwvk8
— BBC Sounds (@BBCSounds) August 30, 2020
The disorder often makes Ezra have disturbing intrusive thoughts in social situations: ‘It feels like you go, ‘in this situation, the worst thing you could think is…’ and then you have that thought… Then you think, if you’re somebody who can have that thought, does that mean you are this person?’. The singer says these thoughts make him feel ‘horrible’, and used to cause a great deal of confusion, guilt, and self-punishment.
Ezra identified his condition while recording his second album, Staying at Tamara’s, and has been receiving therapy since then. He expressed that his experience has guided the songwriting process for his upcoming album, and explained that while his previous lyrics have been ‘escapist’ and ‘dreamy’, those on his next record will be ‘far more [about] addressing the idea of confronting these things’. He added: ‘That is daunting for all of us [but] I believe it’s the right thing for me to be doing’.
The British artist was at first hesitant to tell the world about his inner struggle, confessing ‘I find when people talk about their mental health it’s hard not to get clichéd’, but says becoming more familiar with OCD allowed him to realise that he is ‘Not a freak’ and ‘Not alone’. He explained that ‘The only reason I talk about this publicly is because I’m aware that somebody hearing me might [find it] helpful’.
View this post on InstagramHere at OCD-UK we are passionate about supporting those who need us #ocd #ocdawareness #ocdrecovery
A post shared by OCD-UK (@ocdukcharity) on
According to OCD UK, examples of ‘Pure O’ OCD symptoms include repeating words or numbers in your head, and frequently ‘checking’ your own emotions (such as constantly asking yourself if you are happy). The charity notes, however, that this is not currently a medically-listed term, and that ‘Pure O’ sufferers benefit from the same treatments as typical OCD patients.
If you think you may suffer from OCD and would like to receive support, please see Mind’s webpage about the condition. Here you can also find general information about mental health and resources to help you find access to care.
