Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPTSDOCDAre PTSD and OCD Connected?Treatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

PTSD

OCD

Are PTSD and OCD Connected?

Treatment

Close

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are anxiety disorders that commonly co-occur in people with a history of trauma. Research shows that the likelihood of a person diagnosed with PTSD developing OCD within a year is about 30%.

Between 19% and 41% of people with PTSD also have a diagnosis of OCD.This figure is much higher than the current occurrence of OCD in the general population, which is around 1%.

The treatment for OCD may vary if it occurs with PTSD, so it is important to discuss any trauma with your therapist. Before delving into the link between PTSD and OCD, it’s important to understand the basics of these mental health conditions.

Understanding PTSD

PTSD may occur in people who have experienced or witnessed trauma. Trauma is an event that causes physical, emotional, or psychological distress to a person.Examples may include:

A person with PTSD has persistent and disturbing thoughts about the trauma, often relived through flashbacks or nightmares.

Diagnosing PTSD

In order to be diagnosed with PTSD, a person must be exposed to a traumatic event and have symptoms for one month. These symptoms may include:

An Overview of PTSD

Understanding OCD

While many people have repetitive behaviors or driven thoughts, the thoughts and behaviors of a person with OCD are persistent and disruptive to daily functioning.

Obsessions

Obsessionsare recurring and persistent thoughts, impulses, and/or images that are viewed as intrusive and inappropriate. The experience of obsessions causes considerable distress and anxiety for a person.

It’s important to understand that the obsessions in OCD are not just worries about real-life problems.

People will try (often unsuccessfully) to ignore or “push away” these recurrent thoughts, impulses, or images, usually knowing that they are unreasonable and from their own mind. Yet people with OCD cannot suppress or ignore their obsessions.

Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors (for example, excessive hand washing, checking, hoarding, or constantly trying to put things around you in order) or mental rituals (for example, frequently praying, counting in your head, or repeating phrases constantly in your mind) that someone feels like they have to do in response to the experience of obsessive thoughts.

Compulsions are focused on trying to reduce or eliminate anxiety or prevent the likelihood of some kind of dreaded event or situation. Like obsessions, a person with OCD knows that these compulsions are illogical, which causes further distress.

Diagnosing OCD

To be diagnosed with OCD, a person must experience more than one hour per day of intrusive and uncontrollable obsessions and/or compulsions. In addition, these obsessions and/or compulsions must cause considerable distress and impair functioning such as at work, school, or spending time with friends.

An Overview of OCD

Connection Between PTSD and OCD

With both PTSD and OCD, a person has intrusive thoughts and then engages in neutralizing behaviors to reduce their anxiety from these distressing thoughts.

While compulsive behaviors (like checking, ordering, or hoarding) may make a person feel more in control, safe, and less anxious in the short run, in the long run, these behaviors do not only inadequately address the source of the anxiety, they may even increase the amount of anxiety someone experiences.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic OCDPeople with OCD that develops after trauma show a different pattern of symptoms, including more severe symptoms such assuicidal thoughts, self-mutilation, panic disorder with agoraphobia, hoarding, compulsive spending, and greater anxiety or depression.

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic OCD

People with OCD that develops after trauma show a different pattern of symptoms, including more severe symptoms such assuicidal thoughts, self-mutilation, panic disorder with agoraphobia, hoarding, compulsive spending, and greater anxiety or depression.

PTSD and Other Anxiety Disorders

Psychotherapy is often used to treat both OCD and PTSD. Some types that may be used include:

A Word From Verywell

There is a blurred boundary between OCD and PTSD. If you have PTSD and/or OCD, it’s very important to seek treatment from a mental health professional. Be sure to mention any history of trauma to your psychologist or therapist, as this may affect your treatment plan.

If you or a loved one are struggling with PTSD and/or OCD, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with PTSD and/or OCD, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dykshoorn KL.Trauma-related obsessive–compulsive disorder: a review.Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. 2014;2(1):517-528. doi:10.1080/21642850.2014.905207Pinciotti CM, Horvath G, Wetterneck CT, Riemann BC.Does a unique co-occurring OCD and PTSD factor structure exist?: Examination of overlapping OCD and PTSD symptom clusters.Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 2022;85:102511. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102511National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive compulsive disorder.Fontenelle LF, Cocchi L, Harrison BJ, Shavitt RG, do Rosário MC, Ferrão YA, de Mathis MA, Cordioli AV, Yücel M, Pantelis C, Mari Jde J, Miguel EC, Torres AR.Towards a post-traumatic subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder.J Anxiety Disord. 2012;26(2):377-83. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.12.001Law C, Boisseau CL.Exposure and response prevention in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current perspectives.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2019;12:1167-1174. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S211117Keenan P, Farrell D, Keenan L, Ingham C.Treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) using eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: an ethno-phenomenological case series.International Journal of Psychotherapy. 2019.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Dykshoorn KL.Trauma-related obsessive–compulsive disorder: a review.Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. 2014;2(1):517-528. doi:10.1080/21642850.2014.905207Pinciotti CM, Horvath G, Wetterneck CT, Riemann BC.Does a unique co-occurring OCD and PTSD factor structure exist?: Examination of overlapping OCD and PTSD symptom clusters.Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 2022;85:102511. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102511National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive compulsive disorder.Fontenelle LF, Cocchi L, Harrison BJ, Shavitt RG, do Rosário MC, Ferrão YA, de Mathis MA, Cordioli AV, Yücel M, Pantelis C, Mari Jde J, Miguel EC, Torres AR.Towards a post-traumatic subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder.J Anxiety Disord. 2012;26(2):377-83. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.12.001Law C, Boisseau CL.Exposure and response prevention in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current perspectives.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2019;12:1167-1174. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S211117Keenan P, Farrell D, Keenan L, Ingham C.Treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) using eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: an ethno-phenomenological case series.International Journal of Psychotherapy. 2019.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Dykshoorn KL.Trauma-related obsessive–compulsive disorder: a review.Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. 2014;2(1):517-528. doi:10.1080/21642850.2014.905207Pinciotti CM, Horvath G, Wetterneck CT, Riemann BC.Does a unique co-occurring OCD and PTSD factor structure exist?: Examination of overlapping OCD and PTSD symptom clusters.Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 2022;85:102511. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102511National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive compulsive disorder.Fontenelle LF, Cocchi L, Harrison BJ, Shavitt RG, do Rosário MC, Ferrão YA, de Mathis MA, Cordioli AV, Yücel M, Pantelis C, Mari Jde J, Miguel EC, Torres AR.Towards a post-traumatic subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder.J Anxiety Disord. 2012;26(2):377-83. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.12.001Law C, Boisseau CL.Exposure and response prevention in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current perspectives.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2019;12:1167-1174. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S211117Keenan P, Farrell D, Keenan L, Ingham C.Treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) using eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: an ethno-phenomenological case series.International Journal of Psychotherapy. 2019.

Dykshoorn KL.Trauma-related obsessive–compulsive disorder: a review.Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. 2014;2(1):517-528. doi:10.1080/21642850.2014.905207

Pinciotti CM, Horvath G, Wetterneck CT, Riemann BC.Does a unique co-occurring OCD and PTSD factor structure exist?: Examination of overlapping OCD and PTSD symptom clusters.Journal of Anxiety Disorders. 2022;85:102511. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102511

National Institute of Mental Health.Post-traumatic stress disorder.

American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Washington, D.C.; 2022.

National Institute of Mental Health.Obsessive compulsive disorder.

Fontenelle LF, Cocchi L, Harrison BJ, Shavitt RG, do Rosário MC, Ferrão YA, de Mathis MA, Cordioli AV, Yücel M, Pantelis C, Mari Jde J, Miguel EC, Torres AR.Towards a post-traumatic subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder.J Anxiety Disord. 2012;26(2):377-83. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.12.001

Law C, Boisseau CL.Exposure and response prevention in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current perspectives.Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2019;12:1167-1174. doi:10.2147/PRBM.S211117

Keenan P, Farrell D, Keenan L, Ingham C.Treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) using eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: an ethno-phenomenological case series.International Journal of Psychotherapy. 2019.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?