In this post, I want to discuss a topic that hits home very close to me since I’m a dad. It’s about the possibility that OCD could be hereditary.
I also want to let you know about possible ways of coping with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. So we can feel better every day a little more.
Let’s dive in.
OCD is typically considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning that it often emerges during childhood or adolescence and follows a chronic course if left untreated. Research suggests that there are important developmental factors that contribute to the onset and progression of OCD. If you’ve been struggling with OCD for years or you’re just learning about what your struggles really are, it’s a good idea to learn about possible ways of coping with them.
One key aspect is the role of genetic and familial factors. Studies have shown that OCD has a significant heritable component, with a higher risk of developing the disorder among individuals who have first-degree relatives with OCD. – This is what frightens me the most: the thought of passing OCD down to my son. It is the last thing I want to happen. I am reluctant to believe in heredity when it comes to illnesses or negative traits. I don’t believe that I am destined to inherit my father’s characteristics, and I would like to hold the same belief for my son. I don’t want him to experience the same suffering that I have due to my own struggles.
This suggests that there may be genetic predispositions that influence the development of OCD. But genetics alone do not determine the development of OCD. Environmental factors also play a crucial role.
Early life experiences and environmental factors can contribute to the development of OCD symptoms. Traumatic events, such as physical or sexual abuse, may increase the risk of developing OCD in susceptible individuals. Cognitive factors and cognitive development also play a role in OCD. Triggers invite fear, and fear becomes the primary motivator for OCD to manifest itself.
Children with OCD often display cognitive biases and distortions, such as perfectionism, excessive responsibility, and an exaggerated sense of threat. Perhaps you can recall exhibiting these behaviors when you were younger. Research suggests that these cognitive factors, combined with challenges in emotion regulation, can contribute to the persistence and severity of OCD symptoms.
I personally experienced this as well. As a child, I carried deep-rooted fears in various aspects of my life. Whether it was the fear of consuming food that I believed could be poisoned or feeling terrified around certain individuals (specifically, I developed a strong aversion towards intoxicated individuals due to my experiences with my drunk father).
The brain undergoes significant changes during childhood and adolescence, and disruptions in normal brain development can contribute to the emergence of OCD symptoms. Some of the circuitry, which is involved in the regulation of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, is known to undergo developmental changes. That means that a certain factor or process is suspected to play a role in the development or progression of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
In terms of treatment, early intervention seems to be crucial in addressing OCD symptoms in children and adolescents (I will address the situation of those who have not had the opportunity to treat their OCD and have been living with it for years later on). Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP), is considered the first-line treatment for pediatric OCD, and it has also shown success in treating OCD in adults.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, is a therapeutic approach that places emphasis on challenging maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. It aims to help individuals recognize and modify negative thinking patterns that contribute to their distressing symptoms. The therapy also focuses on gradually exposing individuals to feared situations or triggers, while deliberately refraining from engaging in compulsive behaviors. Through CBT, you can learn to identify and evaluate your thoughts and beliefs, questioning their accuracy and validity (observe the fear).
Exposure and response prevention (ERP) techniques, which involve systematically exposing you to situations or stimuli that trigger your obsessions or fears. Unlike previous patterns, you are encouraged to resist the urge to engage in the accompanying compulsive behaviors.
Through repeated exposure to these feared situations, you gradually learn that your feared outcomes do not come true and that you can tolerate the anxiety without resorting to compulsions. This process helps to weaken the association between triggers and the need to perform rituals or repetitive behaviors. You break the fear into pieces.
Medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also be prescribed in combination with CBT for more severe or treatment-resistant cases. But there are studies that suggest SSRI is not as effective as CBT. It’s worth noting that SSRIs may also come with potential side effects.
In summary, the developmental aspects of OCD encompass genetic, environmental, cognitive, and neurobiological factors. Understanding these factors is essential for early identification, intervention, and the development of targeted treatments for children and adolescents with OCD.
And if you’ve been living with OCD for a significant period of time, there’s still a way to cope with it. It is not necessary that if you were not treated as a child, your chances of healing are diminished. There are many of us who have kept our OCD a secret throughout our entire lives, but we still have the desire to improve and get better. I understand that, and it is entirely possible to work towards healing and managing OCD, regardless of how long it has been present.
As I mentioned earlier, incorporating exposure and response prevention is a valuable tool. But the most crucial step you need to take is to recognize that OCD, its intrusive thoughts, and compulsions are rooted in fear.
Fear acts as the main puppeteer in this scenario, and it is what you must confront. Take the time to observe it, reflect on why it’s there in the first place, why the fear emerged, and why it compels you to obey its demands. [Head over to another post if you’d like to read more about Fear by clicking here]
Once you understand this, you won’t be afraid anymore. The fear will shout at you sometimes, trying to scare you and get you back under its spell. But once you create this habit of observing it and finding the root of the fear, you’ll become less susceptible to it.
So there may be an inheritance component playing a role in our OCD. But once we start to understand why it’s there and stop giving it a chance to occur so often, we can tame it and feel a little step closer to the freedom of mind.
This is something that took me over 24 years to realize. And I’m sad it took so long. But I’m glad I’ve gotten to this place.
It’s not an easy path to sustain but it’s worth it. I just need to remember to train the brain muscles and not let them atrophy.
You can read more about how to find a way of breaking the habit by observing the fear and coping with it in this article HERE.
Since I started observing my fear, realizing where it all started, and that it’s in the past, I was able to tame my OCD in a big way. So please give it a try and learn how to realize that fear is the thing causing your OCD.
If there’s anything I can help with this approach, let me know. I want to see you making progress.
Please consider supporting me at “Buy Me a Coffee” or directly through the Stripe Transaction Portal if you can. You do not have to register with any of the services. Every penny counts. I write this blog in my spare time, but with your help, I’d love to have serious conversations with experts who deal with OCD and respond to you with the knowledge and stories I’d gather.
I consider this blog a calling. I never realized that before. But now I know what my calling is, and I want to continue to improve and help us better manage our OCD. I know how limiting OCD is. I’ve lived with it for more than 24 years. It’s time to learn as much as we can about this disorder to not only cope with it, but to actually get better.
If you help me by donating or becoming a member, my path with this blog can change so I can focus more on what really matters. Plus, you’ll be part of a supportive community of people who understand what you’re going through and want to help you.
Thanks for thinking about donating. It means a lot to me!