Country music superstar Luke Combs is getting candid about his long-time struggle with Purely Obsessional Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Pure O OCD), a rare and often misunderstood form of OCD. In a recent interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Combs revealed that he has battled the condition since the age of 12 and recently experienced his worst flare-up in years while on tour.
What is Pure O OCD?
Unlike traditional OCD, which involves visible compulsions like hand-washing or repetitive checking, Pure O manifests as intrusive thoughts that create overwhelming anxiety. These thoughts can be disturbing, irrational, and persistent, often leading to mental distress rather than physical compulsions.
“It’s thoughts, essentially, that you don’t want to have … and then they cause you stress, and then the stress causes you to have more of the thoughts, and then you don’t understand why you’re having them.” – Luke Combs
Luke Combs' Personal Battle with OCD
At 35 years old, Combs considers himself an "expert" in managing Pure O, having dealt with it for over two decades. However, he admitted that when a flare-up hits, it can take over every moment of his day, describing the experience as:
- "All-consuming," lasting for weeks at a time.
- "45 seconds of every minute," filled with unwanted thoughts.
- "Particularly wicked," as his intrusive thoughts can be distressing and even violent.
Despite the emotional toll, Combs emphasized that he has learned to manage the condition by changing his mindset.
“The way to get out of it is to stop trying to fight the thoughts. The more you try to push them away, the stronger they get. The key is accepting them without giving them power.”
Why Luke Combs is Speaking Out
Combs, who is also open about his struggles with anxiety, said he decided to speak publicly about his mental health battle in the hopes of helping others. As a father to two young sons, Tex (2) and Beau (1), with wife Nicole Combs, he wants to destigmatize mental health struggles and support those dealing with similar challenges.
“It held me back so many times in my life. I want to help kids who are going through this realize that they can still achieve their dreams.”
While Pure O is not officially classified as a separate diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), many mental health professionals recognize it as a unique subset of OCD. It can be highly disruptive to daily life, but with the right strategies and support, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms.
Luke Combs' openness about his struggles is a powerful step toward breaking the stigma around mental health—proving that even chart-topping music stars face battles behind the scenes. His message is clear: You can be successful, have a great family, and achieve your dreams, even while dealing with challenges like OCD.