OCD Can a particularly bad ocd episode cause ptsd?

[framebyframe]

Last year, I had my first major OCD episode. It lasted for about a week or two. It was the most terrifying thing I've ever experienced in my life.

I've been displaying PTSD symtoms for a while after that.

Is it perfectly possible for someone to get PTSD after a particularly bad mental illness episode?

I am aware that PTSD is becoming somewhat "fashionable" in that everyone claims to have it nowadays. I really do not mean to offend anyone, and I am just trying to obtain information for myself.

I do know that I need to consult a doctor to find out if I have PTSD. I have an appointment next week, but in the meantime, I'd just like to find out what you guys think.

 

[Hashi]

I'm afraid I'm not clear what you mean by the OCD episode. Do you mean Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and can't conceptualise it in this way at all (ie first major episode, 1 or 2 weeks long, terrifying, possible cause of PTSD). Do you have a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Do you think you've experienced something that meets Criterion A?

Criterion A outlines events that are considered traumatic enough for a PTSD diagnosis, which include but not limited to, war as a combatant or civilian, threatened or actual physical assault (robbery, mugging, physical attack, childhood physical abuse), threatened or actual sexual violation (forced sexual penetration, alcohol / drug-facilitated sexual penetration, abusive sexual contact, noncontact sexual abuse, sexual trafficking), being kidnapped, taken hostage, terrorist attack, torture, prisoner of war, natural or man-made disasters, medical (waking during surgery, anaphylactic shock) and severe motor vehicle accidents.

 

[arfie]

No offense taken, but I still leave the diagnosing to the professionals. Diagnosing is not a democratic process in my mind. I turn to my support groups for ideas about specific problems and real world experience. I trust my professionals for the monitoring and diagnosing, while reserving the right to question, of course.

Hope your doctor's appointment sheds some light on the confusion. Feel free to ask more questions.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

If something happened during the OCD episode that meets criterion A of the PTSD diagnosis, then perhaps one could be diagnosed with PTSD. However, it is easy for one to look at a list of PTSD symptoms and say yeah, I suffer from all those symptoms when diagnosis is more that checking symptoms off a list.

You'll get your answer once you meet with a professional!

 

[framebyframe]

Wow, I never knew there was a "criterion A". I guess that means you're right, Solara. Diagnosis means more than just checking things off a list.

However, my friends do say that I've gotten a lot angrier compared to last year. In fact, one of my friends had a HUGE fight with me, in which he called me the "world's biggest asshole". I've become a lot more cynical, and don't expect the future to be so great.

It's not an excuse for my actions, not at all, but I did have two more extreme periods of OCD since that last one.

I'll let you all know what happens with the appointment.

 

[Hashi]

@arfie and @Solara, I agree actually.

I'm just really confused about what about OCD could be linked to Criterion A.

But you are both right - @framebyframe you do need to wait for the doc.

 

[Hashi]

We cross posted.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I know that symptoms of one disorder can overlap with symptoms of another. PTSD can involve anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking, etc, but that doesn't necessarily mean that someone who has these other symptoms will necessarily be diagnosed with another disorder. I have horrible obsessive thoughts from time to time, but I have not been diagnosed with OCD nor do I believe that I meet the criteria for the disorder. But, I will say that my obsessive symptoms are by far the worst at this point.

I wish you the best and hope you can get your OCD under control. I know the hell that uncontrollable obsessive thoughts cause. I don't wish that on anyone!

 

[Justmehere]

OCD can be hell, so can most other mental health problems. So can many physical health problems things like diabetes and etc. They can leave someone more vulnerable to developing PTSD after a traumatic event, but generally speaking, I don't know if you can have PTSD without life or limb threatening trauma. Some questions to consider - Do you have flashbacks or nightmares about the OCD experience or other symptoms not explained by OCD? Have you ever been a victim of a traumatic event?

OCD is hard enough! From what I have read, there is a lot of treatment options out there for it too. The stigma of any mental health problem can be huge... And I don't want to compare problems but I wish I had just about anything else other than PTSD and it took me a long time to accept the diagnosis.

I don't know if you do or do not have it, these are just some thoughts.

 

[framebyframe]

Thanks, guys, for the thoughts/comments!

I'm a bit too lazy to answer to all of them individually, but I did take the time to read them all.

And Hashi, I really don't think OCD can be linked to Criterion A. I didn't even know there was a criterion A. What I got out of this thread is that I probably don't have PTSD, but I do have symptoms for it, which is possible.

 

[Abstract]

OCD is a horrible painful condition in and of itself. It wouldn't cause PTSD if there was no criteria A and I can't see how criteria A could be involved. Unless you decided you needed to chop off your finger because it didn't belong to you for example but you would be telling us about it!

I've gotten a lot angrier compared to last year

This can happen with no other diagnoses at all and with thing such as depression, adjustment disorders etc.

There are also many other criteria for PTSD and one has to have certain amounts of them all and within a certain time frame. Even then it can appear to be PTSD but not meet the specs.

Good luck!

 

[Kat457]

I have had OCD for as long as I can remember. At 22 I had a very severe/traumatic episode where the fear of the thoughts/images I was having, actually stopped me from being able to move..I just could not get up off the chair, It was the worse time of my life. Yes.. for me anyway. It caused PTSD. Though weird thing the aviodence caused by PTSD ctually made me forget the compulsions I had, had for the past 15 years or so..even now... well it all just sucks and I have still not been able to talk about the thoughts from that time to close ones incase they dont understand the illness.. which is hard when I feel like my brain wont let me forget...