OCD Combat ocd resources?

[I'll make tea]

I have been searching for ressource on combat OCD but my search has been fruitless so far. When I google it I just find tips on combating civy OCD.

I asked the equivalent of the central VA hospital in our country and they did not have any information :( :( :( They had information on PTSD, which was really good, but non on combat OCD. They were friendly + offered cost free counseling for my husband or both of us... but if they have no information what would be the point of this counseling?
We already do have information on PTSD + my husband is seeing a therapist.

I am running out of ideas where to find that info. Tried to register at bulletin boards but got no confirmation e-mail, wondern if there is something wrong either with my browser or the boards.

 

[I'll make tea]

By the way, I just found a scientific paper called "High prevalence of obsessive compulsive disorder among posttraumatic stress disorder patients" by Nitsa Nacash, Leah Fostick and Joseph Zohar, it says that 41% of those diagnosed with combat or terror related PTSD also suffer from OCD.

Now I understand even less why they do not have any information on that in our country :(

 

[digger]

Does the OCD relate directly to combat? I understand his PTSD does but I've not heard of combat specific OCD before - I'm wondering how widely recognised it is as a condition on its own, which might be why you're struggling to find resources for it. Is there a reason you don't want to look at other OCD resources?

 

[I'll make tea]

Yes, it does... because if something stresses my husband he starts being OCD. Let me give an example: There is a bang, my husband jumps up and starts cleaning something, he hates going to sleep so before he goes to sleep he needs to clean and order things.

Some of his OCD is also safety related.

He did not have OCD prior to his service. He says he has always been a "neat one" but did not have OCD. It is just his way of dealing with stress.

Don't want to look into other OCD ressources because I am afraid that if I "take away" his OCD that he won't be able to deal with stress. Talked with other Vets about that and different Vets have told me that they "need their OCD" in order to cope with things, it is basically what keeps them from freaking out in certain situations... Not sure if every other Vet can relate, but that is how they have explained it to me... by the way none of them had his OCD treated, seems they like it as a coping-mechanism.

 

[digger]

Yes, it does... because if something stresses my husband he starts being OCD. Let me give an example: There is a bang, my husband jumps up and starts cleaning something, he hates going to sleep so before he goes to sleep he needs to clean and order things.

I don't think I explained myself well. I understand that his problems link back to combat, but some of them, like the OCD, not so directly as the PTSD does. The OCD is a response to stress but I don't think it presents significantly differently in combat vets than in other people and the resources to help it will be similar whatever the 'source'.

Don't want to look into other OCD ressources because I am afraid that if I "take away" his OCD that he won't be able to deal with stress.

Then why are you looking for resources at all? What are you hoping to get from resources for combat OCD?

Maybe he should speak to his current therapist about it if he wants to deal with it?

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

@I'll make tea I am confused. Your husband has PTSD? Do you also?

Sorry I can't remember your story.

 

[Springer80]

I agree with digger, OCD is a symptom of his ptsd and ptsd is a result of combat (in your husbands case).

The thing is they are tiered and dependent on the preceeding level. Therefore I dont believe you can 'take away' his OCD anymore than he could just stop it.

Regular OCD advice should be applicable because its not linked to combat directly. His ptsd is though.

I think he needs to work at this from the bottom up not OCD down.

If I were you Id relax about his OCD. Id accomodate it, not make an issue of it and even softly and affectionately support him in it. Saying things like 'oh love, im so sorry you cant sleep angel but Im a lucky woman getting such a clean house. When your finished Ill run you a bath or give you a back rub.'

I would do my utmost to normalise the fact that at the moment he needs to do this and you understand. That way he might relax and not feel abnormal.

Maybe you could chat to him about his day while he's doing it? See if talking about whats been a struggle that day in a general alleviates his need to do it.

 

[Springer80]

Also I know someone who's an artist that suffered sexual trauma as a kid and had mania, mental health issues and ocd.

He did a performance once where he ballroom danced on crazy paving with audience members. It kind of showed people the restrictions the condition placed on him but also aporoached his condition not from the point of view of illness. I think his idea was inspired.

Just food for thought.

 

[Justmehere]

I have PTSD and I used to have OCD in addition to the PTSD. OCD was just one way I tried to manage my PTSD anxiety symptoms.

It's my understanding you don't want to go to therapy because they did not have information about the OCD, is that right? In my opinion, you have absolutely nothing to lose by trying out the free therapy. Dealing with someone with OCD and PTSD is very tough. If they handle PTSD a lot, I am sure they have seen people with OCD that is fueled by PTSD.

The standard treatment for OCD is Cognitive Behavioral and Exposure therapy - these two forms of therapy are among the most effective therapies for PTSD as well.

I understand your concern that if the OCD is gone, he won't be able to handle his stress. That is a very valid concern. That is why getting treatment for the PTSD is crucial. In fact, let's assume they know nothing about how to treat OCD, but they do treat the PTSD. Chances are, as the PTSD anxiety is reduced, the OCD will be dramatically reduced as well without him even working on anything else other than the PTSD. Learning how to manage anxiety and emotions in healthy (and non-OCD) ways is a core piece of PTSD treatment.

At the same time, reducing OCD behaviors doesn’t usually lead to an increase in anxiety over the long haul. One of the hard to understand things about OCD is that while it is anxiety-based and anxiety-fueled, OCD doesn’t actually reduce anxiety. At all. It’s one of the key things about OCD. People do the OCD type behavior and they don’t actually feel better after doing it, but still feel compelled to do the OCD behavior anyhow. That’s the compulsive (C) part of OCD. People still do the OCD behavior even when it doesn’t make them feel better. OCD is a way that anxiety is coped with and expressed, but it doesn’t reduce anxiety. So when it goes away, it doesn’t always mean the anxiety gets worse.

With PTSD, anxiety often does get worse before it gets better, and this could be a huge factor in things.

If he is seeing a trauma therapist already, and you do not feel like they are sufficiently treating the OCD, you could talk to your husband about talking to the therapist and getting additional support or getting a second opinion.

I'm not a big medication supporter, but there are also a couple of medications that can be pretty helpful for some people with OCD too.

It might help you get into more support networks if you call it "OCD" instead of "combat OCD" or say he has "OCD and PTSD." OCD can be a disorder that just happens with no link to trauma. There are also many people with OCD who develop it after/in relationship to trauma and trying to manage the stress of trauma. There are actually a lot of studies done on people with OCD and PTSD together, because there are a lot of people who have it together.

In fact, studies have shown that people with OCD and PTSD together tend to get better more often than people with OCD alone. The techniques that work to help reduce OCD in general do work for OCD that is co-morbid with PTSD. They won’t work as well if the PTSD is not also being addressed, but they can still significantly help.

In the end, your husband is the one who has to do the work to change, and even with the best therapies and highest level of motivation, it is going to take time for him to change. The best way you can support him over the long haul is to get support for yourself.

 

[Hashi]

Maybe the lack of resources about combat-related OCD is because there isn't such a thing? I can see aspects of PTSD symptoms or treatment would be different, but I can't see combat being significant in OCD compared to other types of trauma.

I am afraid that if I "take away" his OCD that he won't be able to deal with stress. Talked with other Vets about that and different Vets have told me that they "need their OCD" in order to cope with things,

I used to think that too, and other people said it to me. They were well-meaning, but actually it really set me back. Understanding that OCD didn't help me cope was the biggest breakthrough I've had with it. Other people (and me too) thinking it helped me cope with things was my biggest hindrance.

At the same time, reducing OCD behaviors doesn’t usually lead to an increase in anxiety over the long haul. One of the hard to understand things about OCD is that while it is anxiety-based and anxiety-fueled, OCD doesn’t actually reduce anxiety

You're right, it doesn't. Reducing OCD behaviours has reduced my anxiety considerably. Allowing OCD behaviours because I thought I needed them to keep my anxiety in check, kept me trapped and dominated by them.

I'll make tea, you can't "take away" his behaviours anyway. It's him that has to do the work - if he's willing to commit to it. You can't do this for him. It's his journey.