Lifetime traumatic events are the traumatic events individuals experience added up over their entire lifespan. Those with OCD, hoarding, or a combination of OCD and hoarding do not differ significantly in the number of traumatic events they experience in a lifetime. The average number of lifetime traumatic events these populations experience is seven. There is no significant link between the number of these events and symptom severity for all of these groups as well.

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Many studies reveal conflicting information regarding the associations between traumatic experiences and OCD or hoarding symptoms. Previous studies have found a plethora of information regarding differences and similarities between the trauma experiences of those with OCD and those with hoarding symptoms. It is still unclear exactly what types of traumatic events are associated with each, if any, the association between the time a traumatic event occurred and symptom development (i.e., prior to the onset or after the onset of symptoms), and how many traumatic events these individuals with these disorders have experienced or may experience in the future. A study in 2014 sought to answer these questions.

The Links between Traumatic Events and OCD and/or Hoarding Symptoms

Przeworski, A., Cain, N., & Dunbeck, K. (2014). Traumatic life events in individuals with hoarding symptoms, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and comorbid obsessive-compulsive and hoarding symptoms. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 3(1), 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2013.12.002

References for the Link Between Traumatic Events and OCD/Hoarding Symptoms

Lifetime Traumatic Experiences, OCD, Hoarding, and Combined

There is no significant difference in the amount of trauma those with OCD, hoarding disorder, or a combination of both experienced before they developed their symptoms. However, it is essential to note that the severity of hoarding was impacted by the amount of past traumatic experiences.

Traumatic Events Before OCD or Hoarding Symptom Development

The amount of traumatic events people experience after developing OCD, hoarding disorder, or a combined type of both is not significantly different for these groups, meaning that having OCD compared to hoarding does predispose individuals to different types of specific trauma experiences.

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