Everything Music. Everything News. Everything live.

Country Star Luke Combs Discusses OCD Diagnosis

ChrisJamesRyanPhotography / shutterstock.com
ChrisJamesRyanPhotography / shutterstock.com

Country music superstar Luke Combs has opened up about his battle with a rare and challenging form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) known as Pure O. During an intimate sit-down with 60 Minutes Australia, Combs delved into how his life has been shaped by this relentless mental health condition since his formative teenage years, starting around the age of 12 or 13. The Grammy-nominated singer shared harrowing details of his ordeals, specifically highlighting a recent trip to Australia that marked one of his most severe flare-ups in recent years. Despite the chronic nature of the disorder, Combs revealed his dedicated journey to manage and mitigate its impact on his life and career.

Pure O is a variant of OCD where an individual suffers from obsessive thoughts without the more commonly recognized physical compulsions typically associated with OCD. Instead, his battles are internally waged against a barrage of intrusive, often distressingly violent thoughts that persist irrespective of his attempts to suppress or ignore them. Combs emphasized the cyclical nature of the affliction—how attempts to divert attention away from the involuntary thoughts only escalate anxiety and perpetuate the cycle of distress. Combs described this form of OCD as “particularly wicked” due to its insidious nature. The disturbing thoughts generate significant stress without outward symptoms, complicating the identification and validation of the condition in the eyes of others.

Combs provided insight into the exhausting mental gymnastics required to manage these thoughts. He discussed how crucial it is to acknowledge these thoughts without attributing meaning to them, thus reducing their emotional impact over time. Learning to accept the thoughts as meaningless sensations, Combs explained, is a key step towards alleviating their undue influence on his psyche. This practice, while mentally taxing and requiring constant vigilance, is essential to controlling the disorder's effects.

Combs's revelation serves a dual purpose: not only does it confront public misconceptions about OCD, but it also provides solace and solidarity to others who might be silently suffering. His openness is crucial in shedding light on what OCD truly entails—a complex mental health issue marked by “a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears known as obsessions,” as explained by the Mayo Clinic, which subsequently drives individuals toward compulsive behaviors in attempts to neutralize these fears. By sharing his personal experience, Combs hopes to eventually work with youth who face similar challenges, wanting to offer what he felt was lacking during his own adolescent years: support and understanding.

 

Key Takeaways

Related Stories

Billy Joel in London Various

Billy Joel Opens Up About Suicide Attempts & More in New Documentary

In the recently premiered documentary, Billy Joel: And So It Goes, iconic musician Billy Joel opens up about a particularly…

Neil Peart and Geddy Lee of Rush Rush in concert, Austin, Texas - 16 May 2015

Rush’s ‘The Albums: 2002-2012’ 7-LP Box Set Out Now

Rush, a band celebrated worldwide for its innovation and impact on progressive rock, has left a lasting legacy that continues…

Axl Rose, left, and Slash, of Guns N' Roses, perform on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Guns N' Roses in concert at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA - 24 Aug 2023

Guns N’ Roses Announce 2nd Leg of 2025 Tour

Guns N’ Roses has announced the second leg of their 2025 world tour, captivating fans across Latin America with a…

Daron Malakian Bravalla Festival, Sweden - 28 Jun 2017

Daron Malakian And Scars On Broadway Announce New Album With New Song

Daron Malakian, guitarist and vocalist for System Of A Down, has announced the release of a new album under his…

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath OZZY OSBOURNE - 1983

Global Livestream of Ozzy & Black Sabbath’s Farewell Show

On July 5, 2025, a landmark moment in heavy metal history will take place as Black Sabbath, one of the…

JAMES HETFIELD - METALLICA THE READING FESTIVAL, BRITAIN - AUG 2003

Enter To Win A Metallica ‘Load’ Deluxe Box Set

Metallica fans are in for a treat as the iconic band has announced the release of the Load (Remastered) Limited…

The Dirty Knobs, Mike Campbell Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs perform at Park West, Chicago, Illinois, USA - 02 Apr 2022

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs Unveil New Song

Mike Campbell, known for his legendary role with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, has yet again captured the essence of…

Gavin Rossdale of the band Bush performs Loaded: "The Greatest Hits Tour" at Hard Rock Live, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Aug. 30, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida Bush in concert, Hard Rock Live, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida, USA - 30 Aug 2024

Bush Unleashes Music Video For ‘The Land Of Milk And Honey’

British rock band Bush has unveiled their latest single “The Land of Milk and Honey,” leading up to the release…

Jessie J Meo Mares Vivas music festival, Day 3, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal - 17 Jul 2022

Jessie J Plays Concert After 5 Biopsies

British singer Jessie J has recently become the focus of public attention not for her musical endeavors but for her…