DEFINITION: There are several types of stress-related disorders. Each has different symptoms, but all include overwhelming fear, worry and/or stress.

Everyone experiences stress. However, a stress-related disorder differs [from everyday stress] in the following ways:

1. it is more severe, 
2. it is longer lasting, and 
3. it interferes with a person’s life.

Stress-related disorders include but are not limited to:

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 

OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
Obsessions are thoughts, and compulsions are behaviors. When obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors accompany feelings of anxiety, the person engages in compulsive behaviors to try to calm their brain and stop the unwanted thoughts.

Symptoms of OCD:
A person with OCD might...

• have obsessions (thoughts) that are repetitive, irrational and/or unwanted. These obsessive thoughts may include fear of contamination, the need for symmetry and exactness, safety issues, and religious preoccupation.
  
• perform compulsive behaviors to try and manage their stress and control their anxiety, avoid their feelings, and/or calm themselves down. Compulsions (behaviors) can include counting, arranging, and cleaning, doing things in exact sequence, hoarding and/or checking and rechecking. Unfortunately, the ritualistic compulsions may only work for a little while before the cycle repeats.
  
• understand that their thoughts and behaviors don't make sense, but they are unable to stop them.

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PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
PTSD is a mental health disorder that can develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event. This may be in the form of recurring dreams of the event, flashbacks, or bad memories that won’t go away. Flashbacks are recurrent and vivid recollections of a traumatic experience. They can often be triggered by sights, sounds or smells. Flashbacks can show up without a moment’s notice, affecting a person’s ability to function. A person with PTSD may have nightmares or flashbacks even years later, after the danger has passed, and they are otherwise safe.

While many sufferers of PTSD are soldiers returning from war zones, others include victims and witnesses of other types of trauma. Other types of trauma may include child abuse, violent crime, a car crash, or natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, or fires. While two people may experience the same event, one may recover while the other has recurring nightmares and flashbacks.

Symptoms of PTSD:
A person with PTSD might...

• have flashbacks, even after they are safe.
• suffer extreme fright (e.g., when they hear fireworks).
• experience these symptoms months or years later after the trauma has occurred.

It is not helpful to try to convince someone with an anxiety or stress-related disorder that there is nothing for them to worry about.

Treatment for OCD:

• Medications, including anti-anxiety medications and/or antidepressants prescribed by a psychiatrist, can calm the symptoms of stress.
• Working with a mental health professional can help someone with OCD manage their stress and anxiety.
• Family and friends can also provide important support.

Treatment for PTSD:

• Therapy that involves carefully re-exposing the person to situations that safely remind them of the trauma. 
• As with all mental health disorders, it is very important to get early treatment.
• A good diet, exercise, sleep, and self-calming techniques can help manage stress.
• There are medications that are prescribed by a psychiatrist that can be helpful. 
• Family and friends can also provide important support.

WAYS TO HELP SOMEONE WITH OCD or PTSD...

• Using the term OCD as a way to describe someone who is particularly neat, can be hurtful and disrespectful to those who are diagnosed with either of these disorders.
• Understand that it can be challenging to have a friendship/relationship with someone diagnosed with PTSD or OCD. DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY if they shut you out initially.
• Practice ACTIVE LISTENING.
• Avoid giving advice.
• Set aside your curiosity and don’t ask questions about what it is like for them.
• If someone has a diagnosis of PTSD, asking them to talk about the trauma is not helpful.
• Try to engage the person in fun activities. Physical activities and be especially helpful.
• Be supportive and comforting by being present and respecting boundaries.
• Be calm yourself, as this is helpful to the other person.
• Try to create regular opportunities to connect (e.g., having lunch together every Tuesday).

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WAYS TO SUPPORT ANYONE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER...

• Educate yourself about the disorder.
• Listen to your friend when they want to talk.
• Keep checking in with your friend.
• Use 1st person language. Say,
  “My friend has OCD.” not “My friend is obsessed.”
• Reassure your friend of your support and understanding.

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HELPFUL THINGS TO SAY...

• “It’s not your fault.”
• “I’m listening.”
• “I am here for you.”
• “It’s the illness that causes these thoughts and feelings.”
• “This must be really difficult for you.”

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HURTFUL THINGS TO SAY...

• “It’s all in your head.”
• “What’s wrong with you?”
• “Get over yourself, you have no reason to feel that way.”
• “Shouldn’t you be better by now?”

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DO NOT [HURTFUL ACTIONS]... 

• ...tell a friend to “Snap out of it!”
• ...diagnose.
• ...gossip.
• ...take your friend’s withdrawal personally.

Find additional information on our Mental Health Disorders page and other suggestions on our Understanding Stigma page >>

Can you answer these questions?

1. What do the letters OCD stand for? What do the letters PTSD stand for?
2. What is the definition of OCD?
   What are the signs and symptoms of OCD?
3. What is the definition of PTSD?
   What are the signs and symptoms of PTSD?
4. What treatments are available for people experiencing the symptoms of these disorders?
5. What can you do to support someone with either of these stress-related disorders?
6. How do you think stigma might affect a person with either of these disorders?

*Hint: Read the OCD/PTSD facts at the top of this page to find the answers for 1-5. And view our Understanding Stigma page for question #6.