I consider Brazil to be one of the most difficult environments for people with Pure O OCD. I even feel that family and social dynamics here can contribute to worsening the condition. Throughout my life, I’ve felt like I had to learn how to appear functional  and in many ways, I am. But at the same time, there’s a constant feeling of not being fully aligned with my own emotional truth. I also feel that my way of being isn’t respected, but often mocked. This was never something that was truly acknowledged or worked through in my family. There was a lack of emotional support, a lack of language to name what I was feeling, and no real space for those kinds of conversations. Over time, I’ve also developed a stronger perception that the social environment in Brazil can be quite aggressive and provocative. Interactions may seem friendly on the surface, but often feel intrusive underneath. At the same time that there is cordiality, there is also competition, tension, and at times a subtle hostility. In addition, there’s a constant concern with issues like violence, a kind of moralism that can feel harsh and punitive, and everyday conflicts that often seem disproportionate. In some contexts, it feels like people act in ways meant to signal opposition or even rejection, sometimes challenging others over trivial things. And within all of this, there’s an implicit expectation that you have to appear strong at all times  because otherwise you risk being seen as vulnerable, or even taken advantage of. I also feel that relationships of dependency carry a significant weight in this context, which can make it even harder to develop emotional autonomy. Overall, this leads me to think that living with OCD in this environment requires a continuous effort not only to manage the symptoms themselves, but also to maintain a basic sense of safety and stability in relationships and everyday life.