When OCD & Trauma Overlap
Treatment for OCD vs PTSD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are two mental health diagnoses increasing in prevalence in our society today. It’s unclear to say whether it’s because these disorders are occurring more or if it is because we are gaining greater awareness and understanding of the disorders to be able to appropriately diagnose it better. Evidence-based treatments for each disorder exist and can be extremely beneficial. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold standard of treatment for OCD. PTSD has multiple evidence-based treatments including Prolonged Exposure (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). But what about when OCD and PTSD are experienced at the same time?
How can OCD and PTSD present at the same time?
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OCD may start in childhood and then that individual experiences a traumatic event later in life. This may worsen their OCD symptoms or it may develop new themes related to the trauma. Their symptoms may not even seem connected at all on the surface. For many individuals, however, their OCD symptoms may stem from the trauma they have experienced. For example, someone develops intense fear and significant checking behaviors after being sexually assaulted in their home. I have worked with individuals that have developed symptoms in both ways. It is important your clinician is able to differentiate the diagnoses, identify the function of your behaviors, and collaborate with you on your most bothersome symptoms.
Unfortunately, this is an area of growth amongst mental health practitioners. For those with diagnosed OCD, you may understand how few clinicians have received training in OCD and how to best treat it with ERP. For those that have sought treatment for trauma, you may have found more providers that specialize in trauma but met with waitlists as there is a growing demand for trauma therapy. For individuals with both OCD and trauma, my guess is you have chosen to seek out a therapist that can specialize in whichever one is bothering you most right now and you will deal with the other later.
What are the options for treating OCD and PTSD at the same time?
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If you have been diagnosed or strongly believe you may have co-occurring OCD and PTSD, and you would like treatment for both, it is important you find a therapist that is familiar and trained in both disorders and when they occur together. Each clinician at Aspire is trained in a trauma modality of some kind (usually EMDR and CPT). And many of our clinicians are trained in ERP as well. Some clients do choose to focus on one disorder over the other first. We may start with treating the OCD first with ERP and then do EMDR or CPT for the trauma, or vice versa. A clinician trained in ERP and Prolonged Exposure could be a great fit if your symptoms from both disorders are very intertwined and need addressing at the same time. The primary benefit of participating in Prolonged Exposure for your trauma symptoms is how well it compliments the exposure work of ERP. This would allow the treatment of trauma and OCD to be done more concurrently.
Discussing your trauma and symptoms of OCD can be very difficult for many reasons. It can bring up triggers associated with the trauma, your OCD symptoms may keep you from talking about it freely, or you may feel shame because of what may enter your mind at any given moment. My professional experience has taught me that people usually struggle to discuss their trauma history more than their symptoms of OCD. Once you find a therapist that specializes in both disorders AND you feel comfortable working with them (this is just as important as their expertise), I highly encourage you to consider disclosing your trauma history with them. This could greatly impact your work together and help you see better results sooner. These disorders do occur separately and together much more than many people realize. You are not alone and there are professionals that can offer help for both issues!
OCD and Trauma Therapy in Missouri
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If you’re experiencing the challenges of OCD, PTSD, or both, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Aspire Counseling is here to provide the specialized care and support you need. Our clinicians are trained in evidence-based treatments like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and trauma-focused therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD. Whether you are looking to focus on one disorder at a time or need support with co-occurring symptoms, we are here to collaborate with you on the most effective treatment plan. Contact Aspire Counseling today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward healing and a healthier, more balanced life. We offer services both in-person in our Lee’s Summit and Columbia MO offices and online to anyone in the state of Missouri.
About the Author
A photo of Mikayla Wichern, virtual therapist at Aspire Counseling specializing in working with adults, moms, and college students experiencing trauma, OCD, anxiety, depression and more!
Mikayla Wichern is a dedicated therapist at Aspire Counseling, with extensive experience helping individuals navigate the complexities of anxiety, trauma, and mental health challenges. With a background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), she has worked in diverse clinical settings, including inpatient psychiatric facilities and mental health clinics. Specializing in treating symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, she is passionate about empowering her clients by offering evidence-based interventions, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and trauma-focused therapies. Her approach is grounded in empathy, and her goal is to ensure her clients feel seen, cared for, and equipped to continue their journey of healing and growth.
