Susan Rachele: The Link Between PTSD, ADHD, and OCD

Susan Rachele was originally diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD); two types of disorders that affect one's behavior. Oftentimes, the two are interchanged because on the outset, they display quite a few similar symptoms some of which include the following:

• Restlessness
• Problem sleeping
• Poor memory
• Lack of attention or short attention span
• Poor concentration
• Low self-esteem
• Anxiety
• Impatience
• Impulsiveness

While both display similar behaviors, the reasons for each disorder are different. For PTSD, it is usually exposure to a traumatic event. On the other hand, for ADHD, the reasons are still unclear but could be related to chemical imbalances in the brain, cognitive functions, or even anatomical.

For Susan Rachele, her PTSD developed as a result of her being exposed to traumatic events during childhood, having grown up in a household with a parent suffering from severe Bipolar Disorder. Studies reveal that children who were exposed to traumatic events were at a higher risk of developing ADHD.

Through medical testing, Susan was able to confirm she has PTSD and ADHD, though there was always a nagging feeling inside her that she is also suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). After a series of sessions with her cognitive behavioral therapist, it was later concluded that she does indeed have OCD on top of PTSD and ADHD.

Compulsive behavior can develop in individuals who have PTSD perhaps as an expression of having control over the traumatic events. For a number of years, OCD was treated as a singular form of mental disorder. Lately however, links have been found that connect OCD to a past traumatic event. Usually, these links are discovered as a result of the ongoing treatment of OCD in a patient.

Susan Rachele has taken a proactive role in overcoming her mental and behavioral disorders by seeking the help of a professional cognitive behavioral therapist. If you or a loved one suspect that there may be a deeper, undiscovered reason for your compulsions or behavior, please seek help.