What Actually Causes OCD to Develop?

It is not uncommon to want to understand what actually causes OCD to develop. After all, we are only human, and so we have a natural desire to want to know the reason behind WHY things happen.

Before we continue, it’s important to note that although extensive research has been done on this topic, the exact causes of OCD are unknown.

Pinpointing the underlying reason as to why you may have OCD may be challenging because of this.

However, there are an array of factors involved which may contribute to this condition.

Let’s explore them here…

Is OCD developed, or are you born with it?

As you will discover in this article, both genetic and environmental factors can play a part in the onset of OCD.

It isn’t uncommon for sufferers to wonder if OCD is entirely hereditary. Yet genetics really is only one potential piece of the puzzle.

What does this really mean?

It means that it is often a combination of both your DNA and the specific circumstances you live in that may make you more or less prone to this condition.

What is worth mentioning here is that the symptoms of OCD usually appear gradually over time. The sudden and rapid emergence of symptoms may be a sign of an underlying condition, in which case, it is important that you seek appropriate medical support as soon as possible.

What causes OCD in adults?

Below are the most common factors believed to contribute to the onset of OCD.

It is important to note that having or experiencing any of the below-varying factors does not guarantee the development of OCD. Once again, definitive causes are unknown.

Biological Factors

1. Is it a brain disorder?

Research has shown that in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, there is a miscommunication error between two parts of the brain.

The first is the orbitofrontal cortex, situated at the front of the brain just above the eyeballs. And the second sits deep inside the brain, a component of the basal ganglia called the caudate nucleus.

(I admit, this isn’t quite a science lesson, and the brain is far more complex than this! But it covers the basics)

In people with OCD, these two areas of the brain that communicate with one another through neurotransmitters called serotonin appear to be in overdrive. 

The orbitofrontal cortex is the part of the brain that detects threat. When it detects a suspected threat, it shoots a message to the thalamus (the part of the brain which maintains communication).  In the case of a real threat, it would send the message back to the orbitofrontal cortex in a helpful feedback loop.

The caudate nucleus which sits near the thalamus acts like a stopper. 

If it suspects that the threat is not real or worth our attention, it may suppress or block the message being sent back to the orbitofrontal cortex. If the caudate nucleus does not interrupt these signals when needed the thalamus starts working in overdrive, believing us to be under threat (even when we aren’t) and levels of anxiety increase.

This study has shown that this feedback loop can contribute to the onset of OCD.

2. Chemical Imbalances

The imbalance of serotonin levels in OCD patients is usually why the go-to medication for OCD is some form of SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). Although these are anti-depressants used for treating depression, they have proven to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of OCD.

Because of this, there is wide speculation that OCD can be caused by an imbalance of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Past studies did produce results suggesting that this could be the case but recent studies have since disproven this theory.

There appears to be little to no current evidence to suggest that a serotonin imbalance impacts the onset of OCD although a difference in brain structure may contribute.

What is important to remember is that there is still a lack of clarity surrounding the functioning of an OCD brain versus that of a non-OCD brain.

3. Genetics

Studies have shown that OCD is a familial disorder.

What this means is that if you have a family member who suffers from OCD, you may be more likely to develop it than someone who has no presence of OCD in their family.

This certainly does not mean that you are guaranteed to develop this condition just because someone in your family has it. However, it is worth noting that studies have shown that the “risk of OCD was significantly greater in first-degree relatives.”

Something worth noting here, there is no such thing as an ‘OCD gene’. Only a combination of genetics may make a person more vulnerable to this particular disorder.

Likewise, genetics alone cannot solely contribute to the onset of OCD, we must always look at other contributing factors such as our environment.

Psychological Factors

1. Personality type

We each have our own distinct personality and set of character traits, and whilst personality alone in no way guarantees the onset of OCD in any particular individual, it can be considered a contributing factor.

Personality should not be thought of as a cause of OCD but more of a risk factor.

This means that certain personalities may be more prone and more vulnerable to the disorder than others. 

Typically, the following personality traits appear as a theme across OCD sufferers, according to VeryWellMind:

For example, an individual who is naturally more hypervigilant in nature with greater difficulty navigating uncertainty in their lives might be more prone to the development of OCD than someone who has a higher tolerance for uncertainty and is less impervious to fear.

Studies using a popular psychological model called Temperament and Character Inventory have found links in those with OCD and characteristics of higher harm avoidance and lower novelty seeking, reward dependence, self-directedness, and cooperativeness.

Personality is just one element we can look at when seeking the underlying cause of OCD.

2. Learning Theory

Learning theory simply describes the process of learning behavioral patterns and thought patterns from observing and interacting with those around us.

There are various different types of learning theories, including social, cognitive, and behavioral. Where OCD is concerned, it is proposed that the individual may have learned to respond negatively to an otherwise neutral circumstances through observation and conditioning.

For example, if a child learns that dirt is bad and has a parent who is teaching them to avoid being dirty ‘just in case’ it causes them to get ill, the child could develop an unhealthy relationship toward cleanliness.

Likewise, if a parent has their own fears around feeling safe in their own home, which leads to them stressing the necessity to keep all doors locked at night, this is a fear the child could then adopt as their own.

Obsessive fears and compulsive behaviors may have been learned and adopted from family members in this way.

According to learning theory, through conditioning, we may also experience learned avoidance, learned reassurance-seeking, and learned fears out of which ritualistic behaviors can form.

This considers the influence of our environments and experiences as we grow and develop. 

3. Can stress cause OCD? 

A lot of people wonder if stress makes OCD worse and whether stress can actually cause OCD in the first place.

Much like personality, stress is not often considered the sole cause of OCD but a possible contributing factor. Undoubtedly, stressful life circumstances add to a rise in anxiety and a feeling of being out of control. 

When we’re constantly adding to our stress bucket, it places undue pressure on our nervous system. And, if we’re already in a hypervigilant state, it could be the last little nudge that leads us into the OCD cycle.

For example, if we’re dealing with multiple stressful life events such as losing a job, maintaining a rocky relationship, lacking financial security, etc. Then one more added stressor on top of this, such as becoming ill or losing a loved one could trigger OCD as we search for a sense of control over our lives.

So, stress does not cause OCD.

But, a stressful event may trigger someone who is already predisposed to OCD or encourage the onset of symptoms. 

Stress has also been shown to make OCD symptoms worse in an individual who has already been diagnosed. In all aspects of life, maintaining healthy levels of stress is only ever beneficial.

4. Does trauma cause OCD?

According to a study conducted in NCBI, “traumatic events may not cause OCD, but rather mediate the link between the environmental-genetic expression of OCD. In other words, the necessary environmental and genetic factors need to be present in order for a traumatic experience to trigger the onset of OCD.”

Much like stress, traumatic life events may not cause OCD but escalate the symptoms and onset. After experiencing what one may consider a traumatizing incident (or multiple incidents), such as childhood trauma or the tragic loss of a loved one, for example, a person may experience high levels of distress.

Anxiety levels rise along with the appearance of louder negative thoughts, which may feel more difficult to navigate.

The concoction of all of these things could be a trigger for OCD.

However, it is worth noting here that many people experience a traumatic event and do not suffer from higher levels of anxiety, OCD, or other mental illnesses. 

Trauma does not in any way guarantee the onset of OCD or any other mental illness, as each individual responds differently.

Comorbid Mental Illness or Neurological Conditions

Up to 90% of patients with OCD also suffer from a comorbid mental illness (a related disorder)

The most common of these are depression, mood disorders, and eating disorders, among many others. You may sometimes feel as though you must be incredibly unlucky to experience both OCD and another mental illness but, it is much more common than you think.

It is clear through the lengthy studies that have been conducted that many of these related disorders go hand in hand.

What is not clear, is whether or not one causes the other.

Much like personality and stress, one is more likely to be a factor involved in the development of OCD rather than the actual cause.

Perinatal/Postpartum OCD

During the days following the birth of the child, the mother is typically at higher risk of developing postpartum OCD. It is a topic that isn’t often spoken about or given the attention it deserves.

(This is now known as PPOCD – postpartum/perinatal OCD as symptoms can occur before birth and after birth).

For the mother, fear can arise around the safety of the baby. And from an emotional and psychological standpoint, the few months following the birth is a particularly vulnerable time. Anxiety levels can rise quite drastically and can dramatically increase during the first year postnatal.

The prevalence of perinatal OCD is wildly unknown for many reasons.

Firstly, a lot of new mothers feel a great deal of shame and guilt around certain thoughts and obsessions surrounding their child, believing themselves to be bad mothers.

Because of this, they often shy away from speaking up and receiving an effective diagnosis.

PPOCD is believed to be caused by a combination of both hormonal changes and an increased level of new responsibility.

Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS)

PANDAS may be a diagnosis given to children if they experience OCD or Tic disorders rapidly following an infection such as strep throat or scarlet fever.

In a typical case of PANDAS, a child may exhibit the sudden onset of OCD symptoms or a tic disorder seemingly out of nowhere. They may also experience a change in moods such as elevated anxiety, stress, frustration, and irritability.

In these circumstances, the antibodies created to fight the underlying infection can get confused and instead attack the body’s own cells.

When these antibodies target the brain it can result in OCD-like symptoms.

What causes OCD in children?

The onset of OCD arises most often in children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old followed by young adults, from late teens to early twenties.

And if you’re a parent who has a child showing symptoms of OCD, or perhaps you were diagnosed with OCD at a young age yourself, you may be wondering what causes this condition in someone so young.

Yet, the answer remains the same unfortunately – the causes are unknown.

However, the same contributing factors are considered as adults:

• Genetics
• Personality
• Chemical Imbalance
• Learning Theory
• Stress and Trauma

While there are many overlapping similarities between children and adults with OCD, there are also considerable differences.

If you are concerned that your child is exhibiting signs and symptoms of OCD, please seek professional medical assistance.

Conclusion: What Causes OCD?

The simple answer to this is that there is no definitive cause of OCD yet to be discovered.

With all of the various studies and potential factors involved, all we can conclude at this time is that some people may be more vulnerable to what triggers OCD. It appears that while our biological and physiological influences may make a person more or less prone, environment and experience are likely what activates it.

No matter what, the important thing to remember is this – whether we do or do not know for certain what causes OCD, it can be treated.

If you’re looking for 1:1 support in the state of California, click here to submit an inquiry to speak with one of our friendly qualified mental health professionals.

If 1:1 therapy is not an option for you, consider joining The ERP School’s online program.

We walk you through a practical step-by-step and compassion-based process to stop letting intrusive thoughts control your life and resist the urge to do compulsions.