The 3 Main Theories of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

This, in turn, causes repetitive behaviors calledcompulsionsand uncontrollable thoughts calledobsessions.

Genetics

There is also believed to be a genetic component to OCD.

Almost everyone experiences bizarre or unexpected thoughts throughout the day.

According tocognitive-behavioraltheories of OCD, if you are vulnerable to OCD you are unable to ignore these thoughts.

Constantly noticing these thoughts may further reinforces the dangerousness of these thoughts.

This sets up a vicious cycle where you become trapped monitoring these dangerous thoughts.

Being trapped in this cycle can make it difficultif not impossibleto focus on anything else besides the distressing thoughts.

That’s when an obsession is born.

Compulsions such as hand-washing may be a learned process.

For example, in response to feeling contamination, you might wash your hands.

This reduces your anxiety which feels good and in turn reinforces the hand-washing behavior.

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