Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or actions you feel compelled to perform in response to your obsessions. You might do these things to try and ease the anxiety caused by your obsessions, but it only provides temporary relief.
For instance: Someone with contamination fears might engage in excessive handwashing or cleaning rituals, or spend hours scrubbing themselves or their surroundings to rid them of imagined germs.
Causes of OCD
While the causes of OCD are not fully understood, some factors are commonly found in people suffering from OCD.
Brain Function : OCD disease is linked to hyperactivity in the orbitofrontal cortex, a part of the brain that plays a key role in decision-making and emotion regulation. This could explain the obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviours.
Genetics : A 2023 study showed that OCD was 7.2 times more prevalent in families with a history of OCD than in those without. So if someone in your family has OCD, you might be more likely to develop it too. That said, genes are not the only factor, and having a family history doesn’t guarantee you’ll get OCD.
Environment : Stressful events, such as trauma or big life changes can sometimes trigger OCD symptoms in some people. Also, how we learn to cope with stress and anxiety can affect whether OCD develops.
Personality Traits : OCD disease is commonly seen in people who also have certain personality traits such as perfectionism, heightened sensitivity, stubbornness, and preoccupation with details. People with such personality traits could be at a higher risk of developing or already having OCD.