Unwanted intrusive thoughts. Repetitive, perfectionist behaviors. Avoidance of triggering situations. A person suffering from trauma and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) may experience many or all of these symptoms. Often linked inextricably in both their function and triggers, OCD and trauma have been proven to coexist and can intensify one another over time.
Individuals facing the daunting dual diagnosis of OCD and trauma, or PTSD, may feel overwhelmed when they explore treatment options. They want to start down the path to true wholeness and recovery, yet are bombarded with choices ranging from phone apps to outpatient programs to residential treatment centers. Navigating these options can be confusing, especially when the symptoms of OCD and trauma blur together. So what are the next steps for people suffering from OCD and trauma?
The Connection between OCD and Trauma
In the context of mental health, trauma may be defined as an emotional response to a terrible event, such as a natural disaster, abuse, neglect, death of a loved one, and more. OCD, or obsessive compulsive disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by obsessions (unwanted, repetitive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors). These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily life and cause significant distress.
Often, OCD and childhood trauma are linked. Trauma experienced in childhood–often referred to as ACE’s (adverse childhood experience)–can have lingering effects in adulthood. Examples of ACE’s include:
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Physical or emotional neglect
- Living with a person who misuses drugs or alcohol
- Witnessing violence
- Bullying
- Living with a caregiver with severe mental health challenges
How Trauma Works
To reduce the overwhelming anxiety triggered by these traumatic experiences, individuals may develop perfectionistic tendencies or rigid behaviors. For example, a person involved in a car accident during childhood may check seatbelts dozens of times before every drive, hoping to reduce anxiety or gain a sense of control. Over time, these behaviors can morph into compulsions, especially when paired with the obsessive fear of not doing something “right.”
When untreated, these behaviors intensify, disrupting relationships, impairing daily functioning, and contributing to substance use as a means of coping. Many people with OCD turn to alcohol or drugs in an attempt to silence obsessive thoughts and avoid compulsive rituals—creating an even deeper need for professional help
These compulsive behaviors can develop into OCD, a debilitating mental illness that disrupts daily life and important relationships. Unfortunately, OCD and substance abuse are often linked, as sufferers try to quiet the obsessive thoughts that lead to the repetitive behaviors.
What it Looks Like
The link between OCD and trauma is well-documented, with up to 82 percent of individuals with a traumatic history developing OCD, compared to 1.8 percent of the general population (according to the National Library of Medicine). It can manifest in some ways that may not yet be fully understood, such as obsessive love disorder. Symptoms of obsessive love disorder include:
- Overwhelming attraction to one person
- Possessive thoughts and actions
- Intense preoccupation with a relationship
- Threatening the other person if they leave
- Extreme jealousy
- Repeated messaging via text, phone calls, or email
- Monitoring the other person’s actions
- Inability to tolerate time away from a person
- Controlling behavior
This kind of disordered attachment stems from a desperate need for emotional safety and validation. Childhood neglect, rejection, or betrayal often contributes to this unhealthy dynamic. Like other manifestations of childhood trauma and OCD, obsessive love becomes a survival mechanism—one that ultimately causes more harm than healing.
Hope for OCD and Trauma
The good news is that, though trauma and OCD often coexist, there is hope for healing. OCD treatment need not be confined to pop psychology, quick-fix apps, or virtual therapy sessions. This serious disorder requires a serious response, on that will provide the trauma-informed care necessary to address the root causes of the obsessions and/or compulsions.
While quick-fix mobile apps or virtual sessions might provide short-term relief, individuals struggling with OCD and trauma need more comprehensive solutions. These disorders require trauma-informed care that addresses both the emotional pain behind the symptoms and the behavioral patterns that reinforce them.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD and Trauma
A common–and commonly successful–methodology used to treat OCD is cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy exercises help you retrain your brain so that the response you’ve grown accustomed to having to trauma triggers–including obsessive thoughts or compulsive, repetitive actions–may be re-learned.
- Journaling to gain insight into obsessive thoughts
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to gradually reduce anxiety and compulsive behaviors
- Cognitive restructuring to challenge distorted beliefs
- Betrayal recovery Therapy for individuals working through relationship trauma or emotional wounds from the past
These interventions allow clients to identify trauma-related patterns and replace them with more adaptive coping strategies. Over time, this shift empowers individuals to regain control over their emotions and daily functioning.
Finding Healing in Nashville, TN at Integrative Life Center
If you believe you or a loved one may be suffering from trauma and OCD, consider beginning your healing journey at the Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN. Far from an impersonal phone app or Zoom meeting, the Integrative Life Center’s residential programs provide the safe, nurturing, professional environment required for true healing to begin. Our trained mental health experts will create a personalized mental health treatment plan for you.
Our holistic approach incorporates evidence-based therapies, experiential modalities, and trauma-informed care to guide clients toward lasting recovery. We believe in treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
If your OCD has spiralled into addiction, take a look at our addiction treatment guide. There is a way out of the self-defeating cycle you find yourself stuck in.
Trauma–particularly childhood trauma–can metamorphose into OCD, multiplying suffering for the patient and those around them. The time to seek true mental health is now. Call the Integrative Life Center today. You can start your journey to recovery today with one quick phone call to 615-640-1553.
