Trauma & PTSD

30%-80% of people with OCD have a trauma history

Dykshoorn

1 out 4 of people with PTSD also have OCD

Baylor College of Medicine

What is PTSD and Trauma?

Trauma has been described as “challenging emotional consequences that living through a distressing event can have for an individual”.  There are many experiences that can be traumatic, such as abuse, neglect, living with someone with mental heath or substance abuse disorders, sudden separation from a loved one, poverty, racism, discrimination, oppression, violence, war, terrorist, etc.

Signs of PTSD & Trauma

Trauma can develop into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which is a long-term condition. Symptoms of PTSD persist for at least one month, impact daily functioning, and include:

  • Re-experiencing the trauma: Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares about the event.

  • Avoidance: Steering clear of reminders, thoughts, or conversations related to the trauma.

  • Negative thoughts and feelings: Persistent negative beliefs, emotional numbness, or feelings of hopelessness.

  • Changes in arousal: Increased irritability, heightened startle response, difficulty sleeping, or concentration issues.

The symptoms of trauma and the symptoms of OCD can influence eachother which can make treatment feel a bit more complicated.

Overlapping Symptoms in OCD & PTSD

  • Experiencing unwanted, intrusive memories or thoughts that induce anxiety and fear

  • Repetative beahviors and actions to reduce distress

  • Avoidance of the stimuli that cause intrusive thoughts to occur

How I Treat OCD & PTSD

Cognitive Processing Therapy focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and bodily sensations. It addresses thoughts that have been changed or affected by the traumatic event, and helps develop new and more helpful ways of thinking.

When both trauma and OCD are present I pull in  Exposure and Response Prevention and Inference Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Time will be spent understanding the reason for the behavior to determine where it is coming from so that the correct “tool” can be applied.

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