OCD -- A Way to Cope with Trauma

With PTSD, of course our nightmares/dreams can trigger some very intrusive thoughts during our waking/worrying hours. It is recommended by some doctors to develop some repetitive behaviours to reduce our anxiety. Sometimes, these repetitive behaviours are called avoidance behaviours. I call these behaviours my OCD. Since, as we all know, PTSD and OCD walk hand in hand—OCD becomes a way for sufferers of PTSD to cope with their trauma.

Avoidance Behaviours we can try:

• Organizing our belongings in rows or groups.

• Doing things in 2’s or 3’s.

• Ensuring that anything that is stacked is upright and tidy

• The elastic around the wrist snap

Try any simple things to ease your mind. Orderliness is OCD’s best friend. And, since PTSD and OCD are considered related mental health conditions, these simple activities which may sometimes seem odd to others, mean the world to us.

Always remember: if your symptoms seem overwhelming, seek advice/diagnosis from a medical professional.