Can Trauma Cause Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Traumatic experiences can stay with a person for the rest of their life. Even when they don’t notice it, the brain can develop defense mechanisms in response, often in the form of other mental health disorders. One such example is OCD, which can impact how a person moves throughout the day and can be debilitating for many people. But exactly how deep do these connections go? Banyan Mental Health asks the question: Can OCD cause trauma?

Understanding OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychological condition characterized by repetitive, intrusive, and distressing thoughts, images, or impulses (obsessions) that result in repetitive and ritualistic behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). OCD affects individuals of all ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds, and can significantly impede their daily functioning, relationships, and quality of life.

Symptoms of OCD can include:

• Intrusive, unwanted, or distressing thoughts, images, or urges that persist despite attempts to ignore or suppress them.
• Repetitive, ritualistic behaviors or mental acts that are performed in response to obsessions or according to rigid rules.
• Preoccupation with cleanliness, hygiene, or contamination, which might lead to excessive hand-washing or cleaning rituals.
• Fear of harm or danger to oneself or others, which may lead to behaviors revolving around checking or that are reassurance-seeking.
• Need for symmetry, order, or exactness, which may result in repetitive or counting rituals.
• Hoarding or accumulating objects that have little or no value but that provide a sense of security or comfort.
• Difficulty making decisions or completing tasks due to excessive doubt or uncertainty.
• Excessive attention to details or rules that may lead to perfectionism and difficulty delegating tasks.
• Social or occupational impairment due to the time-consuming and disruptive nature of compulsive behaviors.
• Distress or anxiety when unable to engage in compulsive behaviors or when attempting to resist or ignore obsessions.

Common obsessions include fears of contamination, doubts about safety or morality, unwanted sexual or aggressive thoughts, and perfectionism, while common compulsions include excessive cleaning, checking, ordering, counting, and repeating actions or phrases. OCD is commonly treated with a combination of medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which utilizes exposure and response prevention (ERP) techniques to assist patients in overcoming their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.