Trauma and the pathogenesis of OCD : a literature review

Date
2001-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most recognised mental disorder stemming from severe psychological trauma. One of the differential diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder, amongst others, is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OGD). These two disorders overlap at some point in terms of symptomatology. More specifically, both are characterized by recurrent intrusive thoughts. It has been hypothesized that trauma may also be a significant source of OGD development. OGD and PTSD are disorders that present in adulthood, as well as in childhood and adolescence. It is shown that PTSD and OGD can present comorbidly in adulthood and it is theorized that it may also be the case in childhood and adolescence. Evidence of OGD developing in the context of trauma and theories of how this might have happened are presented. It is shown how complicated it is to distinguish between OGD developing in the wake of trauma and PTSD and the importance of such a distinction.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Post-traumatiese Stresversteurig (PTSD) is een van die mees erkende sielkundigeversteurings wat ontwikkel na die blootstelling aan sielkundige trauma. Obsessiewe-kompulsieweversteuring (OGD) is, onder andere, een van die differensiële diagnoses van PTSD. Die twee versteurings oorvleuel ten opsigte van simptomalogie. Meer spesifiek word beide gekenmerk deur herhalende indringende gedagtes. Daar word tans gehipotiseer dat trauma nie net 'n rol in die ontwikkeling van PTSD speel nie maar ook 'n oorsaaklike rol het in die ontwikkeling van OGD. OGD en PTSD is versteurings wat kan voorkom tydens volwassenheid, asook tydens die kinderjare en adolessensie. Daar word bewys gedoen van PTSD en OGD wat saam voorkom gedurende volwassenheid en daar word geteoretiseer dat dit ook die geval mag wees tydens die kinderjare en adolessensie. Bewys word gelewer van OGD wat ontwikkel na blootstelling aan trauma en teorië ten opsigte van die ontwikkeling word aangebied. Die onderskeid tussen OGD wat na trauma blootstelling ontwikkel en PTSD is ingewikkeld, dog is die onderskeid baie belangrik in vele opsigte.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001
Keywords
Post-traumatic stress disorder in literature, Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Development, Obsessive-compulsive disorder in literature, Obsessive-compulsive disorder -- Development
Citation