Hey there OCD Ninjas. Today, we're diving into a big topic. One that I have been asked to do repediatly by you in the comments and through email.

Specifically, we'll talk about two things: Real Event OCD and Trauma. I'm here to guide you through this, making it easy to understand and keeping things positive. If I keep thinking of my past negative experiences and I feel a shot of anxiety each time. That sounds like Trauma right....well, not exactly. So how I can you tell the difference between to two? and what treatment is effective? I'm glad you asked....and I'm going to tell you.

So, let's get started on this journey together!
Ever had thoughts that just won't leave you alone? We all have! Sometimes, it's not just a memory bothering you; it's Real Event OCD.

Real Event OCD and Trauma

Real Event OCD is like your brain being a super-detective, always focusing on events – real or not – playing in your mind on repeat. It's like your brain's own director, saying, "Let's replay that scene one more time with more anxiety!" Hey buddy, I didn't get that. Replay it again. This time with more emotion. Hey, are you sure you got all the details. Let's put some feeling into it. Ohhh, I forgot to put what it means for you. Let's go over it again and this time, end it with. "And you're a bad person."

Yikes, who wants this? Why does the brain barde you with these past memories and put so much value on them. Well, it's designed to do this, but temporarily. "Replay the moment, learn from it, move on." With real event OCD, it says. "Replay the moment, learn from it, be mean to yourself, figure out if your fears about yourself are true, feel guilt, shame, anxiety." And....do it again.

It does this because, well, you have OCD. A Faulty signal is being sent that doesn't need to be. That's the nature of OCD. Let me trigger you with the thought of the past, put meaning behind it, give you anxiety, and then tell you what to do to get the anxiety to go away, feel better for a few minutes, and repeat because it didn't last. Oh, it just makes me angry to even think about this happening to someone.

But how do we know this actually isn't trauma from the negative experience from the past?

Well, trauma is a response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. It can result from various experiences such as accidents, abuse, or natural disasters. Trauma can have profound effects on mental and emotional well-being, often leading to symptoms like anxiety, depression, or difficulty trusting others.

Those who experience trauma related to a past negative experience are often hit with symptoms pretty quick. It's as if the body and mind have put them back in the experience they once were in. For and anxiety can happen. Physical symptoms can arise. However, they are often not ruminating about the experience and try to make sense of it. If they are a good person or not. If they'll go to jail. If they'd really do that thing their brain is saying they'd do. They aren't going back to review the experiences on purpose to "check" anything. In fact, that's the last thing they want to do.

To me that's the key to seeing the difference. Those with trauma want out of the experience and that tends to be their sole focus. Those with real event OCD, of course want out of the uncomfortable moments, but also want to have answers about their past and what it means for them in the future.

So think about it this way, trauma is like a sudden storm hitting you – it could be one big lightning bolt or a series of thunderstorms, leaving you shaken. Real Event OCD is more like always checking the weather app, thinking a storm is coming, even on a sunny day. It's not about actual rain; it's about the fear of it.

But, can someone have both? I'd say sure. In some cases, traumatic events may trigger or exacerbate OCD symptoms, and individuals may struggle with intrusive thoughts related to the traumatic experience.

Many with real event OCD, aren't having "traumatic" experiences, but once that make them question who they are as a person. What they said in the past, what they did or what were their intentions?

Now, let's talk solutions. Good news – there's help for both Real Event OCD and trauma. Think of therapy like your reliable umbrella in a storm. For OCD, we use exposure and response prevention. For Trauma, their may be a combination of Cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention (ERP), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). If you're not sure what to work on first, I tend to ask people, "what is getting in the way the most in your life." Are they physical symptoms, intrusive thinking, or maybe it's the compulsions that you do.

That's where we may start. Ultimately, we want to tolerate any negative feelings about the past. If OCD related, not make sense of them. Not figure out if your intentions were a certain way. Not build your identity off of these past experiences. Allow the story to be there, but not put judgement to them whatsoever. It's not a good or bad experiences. We tend to use a lot of "maybe, maybe not" phrases to help the brain to stop problem solving. It's taking any physical symptoms, thoughts or feelings and responding to them in a completely different way. Allowing them to be there if they want to come. Not avoiding life and keeping track of any compulsions that are being done to "feel better". Eventually the brain learns that you can handle the "story" of the past and it no longer needs to keep throwing out any threats your way.

So, my awesome people, if you're dealing with Real Event OCD or trauma, seeking help is like grabbing that umbrella before the storm hits. You're not alone in this journey. If real event OCD is what you deal with, let's dance through the healing rain together with my self directed course that teaches you the treatment step-by-step. Thanks for hanging out with me today, and until next time, take care of yourself!