What Causes OCD?

The history of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been fascinating - often explored in novels, movies, and other interesting media, its intrigue never ends. By now, we do understand (more or less) what OCD looks and feels like. It is characterized by persistent, anxiety-inducing obsessions, and repetitive compulsive behaviors are performed to reduce that anxiety.

In spite of the endless fascination and a range of theories, we do not know what exactly and definitively causes OCD. So, in this blog, we shall explore certain theories and explanations regarding what causes OCD. Some experts have suggested it is inherited, while others have pointed out the chemical imbalances in the brain, and some others have said that it can be due to life events. So, in this blog, we shall break down all these theories for you.

OCD tends to run in families. Some studies have suggested that if a close relative of yours has OCD, your chances of developing it may be higher, up to four times more likely, to be very precise.

While this indicates a great potential of genetics, nothing is set in stone. Some identical twin studies have shown that one twin can have OCD while the other does not. So, genetics is only a part of this story and not the whole and sole of it, while the mystery yet deepens.

Brain imaging studies show structural differences in people with OCD - especially in regions involved in habit-forming, decision-making, and goal-directed behaviors, like the orbital gyrus and caudate nucleus.

Brain chemistry also plays a role, particularly involving serotonin - a chemical present in the brain that regulates mood and anxiety. Medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which boost serotonin, reduce OCD symptoms, even though experts cannot really tell why. It is also crucial to note that SSRIs do not cure OCD, and one is more likely to relapse when they only stick to these medicines for treatment, so this indicates that serotonin is only a precipitating factor.

While brain structure and chemistry play a role in the development of OCD, they are yet another part of this puzzle. But even they cannot give us the full picture.

As we cannot definitively say that OCD is the outcome of genetics or biology, we cannot say that OCD is an outcome of environmental factors either. However, here is where it gets a little more interesting. While shared environments, like your home, do not have a significant effect in the development of OCD, non-shared environments do. For instance, obsessions and compulsions can differ based on different sexual orientations, ethnicities, cultures, and religions. A recent example is how the COVID pandemic led to an increase in COVID-related obsessions, just like how HIV/AIDS-related obsessions peaked during the 1980s, when a corresponding panic was taking over the world.

Furthermore, prolonged stress and traumatic life events have also been considered to play a role in OCD. But once again, while they can increase the risk of the condition, not every person who struggles with stress or trauma develops OCD symptoms.

In 1998 found that when children contracted streptococcal infections, it gave rise to an immune response that generated a set of antibodies. These antibodies then react with a region in the brain known as the basal ganglia and give rise to OCD symptoms among some children.

This led to a theory that certain antibodies linked with infections can affect the brain in some way. So, Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANDAS) or PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) were considered to be certain childhood disorders related to OCD.

While a few (not all) recent studies have not found such a link, the understanding can also be that since OCD symptoms only developed among some children, these children were already predisposed to this mental health condition. Nevertheless, the link between streptococcal infections and OCD cannot be overlooked altogether.

Three psychological theories have been proposed by three different schools of psychology to understand what causes OCD. We shall briefly look into them here:

Psychoanalytic Theory:

This theory suggests OCD stems from early childhood attachment or conflict patterns, typically the discomfort or conflicts one experiences with their parents that become repressed in the unconscious. While once widely accepted, it has little to no bearing on today’s clinical understanding of what causes OCD.

Behavioral Theory:

One of the more popular explanations for OCD is based on learning and behavior rooted in behaviorism. Behavioral theory explains OCD as a learned response to uncertainty or fear. For instance, if praying eases anxiety, repeating that behavior may turn into a compulsion. This theory helped develop ERP therapy, a leading OCD treatment.

Whether or not this theory entirely explains OCD, it can still be understood in the broader context of genetics, biology, and environment. Regardless, the behavioral theory paved the way for exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, which is one of the most effective treatments for OCD today. It safely and gradually exposes the person to their fear as it teaches them to resist compulsions until their anxiety levels come down naturally.

Cognitive Theory:

This theory suggests that the origin of OCD is related to how you think. While most of us have intrusive thoughts from time to time, those with OCD assign more meaning to intrusive thoughts, triggering anxiety and compulsions. Compulsions then become their way of coping with the anxiety, whether or not they make any logical sense.

As the cognitive theory holds water, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often combined with ERP as a more comprehensive treatment for OCD.

There is no one explanation as to what causes OCD. It is a combination of several factors that lead to the development of OCD. However, you must also know that most, if not all, of these theories are still being debated.

Regardless of what causes OCD, what is important to understand is that it is a complicated condition that hinders day-to-day functioning and brings down the quality of life. Many have described OCD as a condition that leads you to overthink everything, as if your brain is on repeat. While this may seem rather severe, OCD is a treatable, manageable condition, and this is what matters most.

Find OCD Treatment in Los Angeles

If you or someone you love is struggling with OCD, the NuView Treatment Center in Los Angeles offers personalized outpatient care with PHP and IOP options. Our team uses a blend of behavioral therapies, medication management, and holistic approaches tailored to your goals. We believe in bringing care that is relevant to you. We also believe that receiving the care you deserve must be effortless, so we offer evening programs and telehealth services so that you can receive the care you need at your convenience and from wherever you want.

Call (323) 307-7997 or email us at info@nuviewtreatment.com to speak with an OCD specialist today. Help is just a call away.