Why does obsessive compulsive disorder happen

They may even think they are going 'crazy' — but they're not. OCD can cause this to happen. Like in many health conditions, a person's genes play a role in whether they get OCD. That's why OCD often runs in families. Genes can affect the chemistry, structure, and activity in different parts of the brain. With OCD, these differences lead unwanted thoughts to get 'stuck' instead of move on.

OCD gets started because someone has genes that make it more likely. But OCD keeps going because of rituals. The more people do rituals, the stronger OCD gets. This happens because our brains learn to do more of what we practice. Our brains also learn to do more of what gets rewarded. In OCD, rituals 'reward' the brain with a feeling of relief. In therapy, people meet with a therapist to talk, learn, and practice skills. Along with therapy, some people may take medicine for OCD.

But even when someone with OCD knows this, it's not easy to just stop doing rituals. That's why therapy teaches skills like:. In therapy, people practice using these skills. One by one, they face fears without doing rituals. This can feel uncomfortable at first, but it quickly gets easier with practice.

The more people with OCD resist rituals, the more worry thoughts can fade. As the person practices their skills, the brain's activity can change for the better. Therapy takes time — how long depends on the person. Most people work with their therapist each week for a few months or more. Some people have therapy more often. Other anxiety problems, depression, eating disorders, or substance abuse may happen with OCD.

What are the symptoms of OCD? How is OCD diagnosed? OCD is diagnosed during a physical and psychiatric exam when obsessions and compulsions: Take up at least one hour each day Are distressing Interfere with daily life Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is OCD treated? Your healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on: How old you are Your overall health and medical history How sick you are How well you can handle specific medicines, procedures, or therapies How long the condition is expected to last Your opinion or preference Treatment may include: Anti-anxiety or antidepressant medicines are often used.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can also help. It causes persistent disturbing thoughts and compulsive rituals that attempt to ease anxiety.

The rituals become consuming and interrupt daily life. Stressful events may trigger the OCD episodes or make them worse. You may or may not have insight into the irrational thoughts or behaviors. Medicines and therapy can help reduce the time spent in the thought patterns or compulsive behaviors. Types of OCD. What causes OCD. Read more about OCD. Featured Page. OCD-UK investigated….

Read the article. Latest Featured Articles Having OCD. Having OCD is difficult to live with whilst working at recovery. Compulsive Viewing. Drawing OCD with Zoe. Online Support Groups through Zoom. OCD Discussion Forums. OCD Annual Conference Facilitated by staff and volunteers with lived experience, our online support groups are a place to share experiences and exchange recovery focussed ideas.

Learn more about Overcoming OCD. This chapter will help you understand more about the recommended treatments for OCD, including how to access NHS or private treatment.

Introduction and our role. What is Recovery? Medication for OCD. Accessing OCD Treatment. Getting the most from therapy. GP Ice Breaker. Read more about overcoming OCD. IAPT Database. Find your local service. Children and young people can also suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

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About OCD. OCD section contents. Introduction to OCD. The history of OCD. The language of OCD. The Impact of OCD. Diagnosing OCD. Related Disorders. Introduction to BDD. More about OCD. People with severe OCD symptoms may have a second variation in the same gene. Other research points to a possible genetic component, as well.

In addition, twin studies have indicated that if one twin has OCD, the other is more likely to have OCD when the twins are identical, rather than fraternal. A number of other factors may play a role in the onset of OCD, including behavioral, cognitive, and environmental factors.

Learning theorists, for example, suggest that behavioral conditioning may contribute to the development and maintenance of obsessions and compulsions. More specifically, they believe that compulsions are actually learned responses that help an individual reduce or prevent anxiety or discomfort associated with obsessions or urges. An individual who experiences an intrusive obsession regarding germs, for example, may engage in hand washing to reduce the anxiety triggered by the obsession.

Because this washing ritual temporarily reduces the anxiety, the probability that the individual will engage in hand washing when a contamination fear occurs in the future is increased. As a result, compulsive behavior not only persists but actually becomes excessive. Many cognitive theorists believe that individuals with OCD have faulty or dysfunctional beliefs, and that it is their misinterpretation of intrusive thoughts that leads to the creation of obsessions and compulsions.