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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on November 1, 2010, at 22:22:45
I just was curious because I was told that the anxiety produced by OCD can't register as trauma, even when it might impinge on and jeopardize highly important personal events related to professional/social functioning.
When my OCD was at its apex, and devastating my professional life, I experienced a lot of the classic PTSD symptoms like hypervigilance, flashbacks, refusal to discuss the traumatic events in question, etc.
Part of the reason I ask is because after living in that state for 3 years, I went through a period of numbness/depersonalization, which I have consequently been told is more a schizophrenic spectrum symptom, whereas I personally feel the PTSD model seems more appropriate. Even though the numbness has disappeared, I still experience moments of dissociation etc.
Posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2010, at 0:17:40
In reply to can OCD and PTSD co-exist?, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 1, 2010, at 22:22:45
High anxiety can produce periods of numbness so I agree with your theory. Phillipa
Posted by morgan miller on November 2, 2010, at 18:03:42
In reply to can OCD and PTSD co-exist?, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 1, 2010, at 22:22:45
What have you experienced that leads you to believe you may have developed PTSD?
I believe bad cases of OCD develop as a result of a combination of a genetic predisposition and a lack of proper nurture in childhood.
I think OCD can result from PTSD for sure. I also think that PTSD can coexist and probably often do.
Posted by bleauberry on November 3, 2010, at 4:55:01
In reply to can OCD and PTSD co-exist?, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 1, 2010, at 22:22:45
All psychiatric symptoms can co-exist in an infinite variety of combinations and permutations. They usually do. Each person will have their own unique presentation of symptoms.
Posted by creepy on November 3, 2010, at 15:54:30
In reply to can OCD and PTSD co-exist?, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 1, 2010, at 22:22:45
trauma can show up later in life as PTSD and OCD. absolutely.
Its about how you wind up dealing with the trauma. Using calming behavior patterns or rituals to deal with it, or repressing it and having it come out in bursts as re-experiencing and hyperarousal.
At least youre not engaging in substance abuse as a means to deal with it.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on November 3, 2010, at 22:52:22
In reply to Re: can OCD and PTSD co-exist?, posted by creepy on November 3, 2010, at 15:54:30
no, i was curious whether OCD or extended periods of severe anxiety could *cause* PTSD symptoms?
when my OCD first appeared, i wasn't diagnosed correctly, so spent three years trying to repress the symptoms, and also went through periods of substance (ab)use
> trauma can show up later in life as PTSD and OCD. absolutely.
> Its about how you wind up dealing with the trauma. Using calming behavior patterns or rituals to deal with it, or repressing it and having it come out in bursts as re-experiencing and hyperarousal.
> At least youre not engaging in substance abuse as a means to deal with it.
>
Posted by creepy on November 8, 2010, at 11:39:53
In reply to Re: can OCD and PTSD co-exist? » creepy, posted by g_g_g_unit on November 3, 2010, at 22:52:22
I remember reading some research that claimed the changes made in the brain, in response to trauma, can leave a person open for more of the same. Something to do with stress hormones reinforcing learned fear, I think.
I dont think OCD will -give- you PTSD. Both are outcomes from trauma. If you received trauma that was overwhelming enough to give you OCD I bet theres been PTSD stuff mixed in there all along.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on November 9, 2010, at 8:10:26
In reply to Re: can OCD and PTSD co-exist?, posted by creepy on November 8, 2010, at 11:39:53
> I dont think OCD will -give- you PTSD. Both are outcomes from trauma. If you received trauma that was overwhelming enough to give you OCD I bet theres been PTSD stuff mixed in there all along.
>I guess I'll need to talk this out with a therapist. But yeah .. my question was essentially whether OCD itself could cause PTSD, or at least cause certain events it might sabotage to be interpreted as trauma, since I would get a lot of PTSD-like symptoms (hyperviligance, etc.) when OCD began to affect my professional life.
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