Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Several factors may be causes of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in children. According to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, one may have a predisposition for OCD if they are a direct relative of an individual with the disorder or a direct relative of someone with Tourette's disorder. Genetics can play a role, as can traumatic experiences or brain injuries.

Causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Although OCD is equally documented in both sexes, males tend to exhibit symptoms sooner than females. In addition, OCD is sometimes so well hidden that the first signs are social dysfunction or problematic behavior in the workplace. People with chronic OCD become obsessed with compulsive rituals that prevent them from leading a normal life. Often these rituals are performed in secret.

Hypochondriacs may be at a higher risk for OCD as well. The two conditions are often linked, although not every hypochondriac has OCD.

There is some debate about whether OCD is primarily physical or psychological. Some studies have shown that there are noticeable differences in brainwave activity in those with OCD. It can also be a symptom of other mental disorders.

Generalized stress can often prompt depressive episodes, but when OCD is the primary symptom of a depressive disorder, the cause is more likely to be a chemical imbalance, such as a low level of serotonin, or possibly a genetic trait. As yet, no specific gene has been identifed as causing OCD.

For someone who is the worrying type, the thought of developing obsessive compulsive disorder can be alarming. Although the disorder does not take root due to mere pessimism, a person may become obsessed with the thought of developing the disorder, and make repeated visits for health checks just to be certain. These behaviors are in fact, compulsive, excessive and probably irrational, but they may not be an indicator of OCD. On the other hand, if an individual is biologically connected to a sufferer of OCD, it may be worth mentioning when discussing concerns with your family doctor or a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist.

Depression, although linked in several ways to OCD, isn't always present in OCD sufferers. Many people with the disorder are quite upbeat, despite the compulsive behaviors that cause generalized stress and frustration. Coping behaviors, such as drinking too much, may trigger substance-induced depressive episodes or OCD rituals..

Disorders of any kind do not occur without cause, so weighing any pre-existing conditions or the possibility of inheriting OCD is vital when providing your healthcare professional with information. Omitting any detail may result in an incorrect diagnosis, although by the time an individual consults a doctor, the symptoms have generally become so problematic that a diagnosis of the disorder is relatively obvious.