Question: What causes OCD. Nature and/or Nurture?

OCD can be caused by trauma, medical, genetics, or environmental factors.

Both

OCD is like the ultimate overachiever in the anxiety world, it takes a little bit of nature, a little bit of nurture, and then just runs way too far with it. On the nature side, genetics and brain wiring play a role. Some people are just born with brains that love to hit the “what if” button over and over. Studies show differences in areas responsible for decision making and habit formation, which can make it harder to let intrusive thoughts go. On the nurture side, life experiences and learned behaviors can reinforce OCD patterns. Stressful events, certain parenting styles, or even just accidentally discovering that compulsions provide (temporary) relief can all fuel the cycle. So it’s kind of like making a really weird soup, your brain provides the ingredients, and life stirs the pot. What ingredients do you think went into your own OCD recipe?

This is a great question. While I'm not clinically trained, I do have my B.A. in Psychology, and this is something I think about often. I think it's a mixture of both nature and nurture, but I also think it can be one or the other. For some people, it may be genetic, while for other people it may develop as a result of a traumatic event. How do you think nature and nurture play a role in OCD? Do you think it can be both or just one or the other for an individual?