The 3 Main Theories of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

While science has come a long way in understanding obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), researchers still aren't certain what causes the condition. There are many theories about what causes of OCD, although biological and genetic causes have gained the most acceptance.

Biological Theories 

Biological causes of OCD study the circuit relay system between the orbitofrontal cortex, which is responsible for complex behaviors such as emotion regulation, evaluation, reward-based decision-making, and other goal-directed behavior, to the thalamus.

The loop circuits of the orbitofrontal cortex includes other regions such as the caudate nucleus of the basal ganglia, which is associated with functions such as cognition and voluntary motor movements. When this circuit is activated, these impulses are brought to your attention and cause you to perform a particular behavior that appropriately addresses the impulse.

For example, after using the restroom, you may begin to wash your hands to remove any harmful germs you may have encountered. Once you have performed the appropriate behavior—in this case, washing your hands—the impulse from this brain circuit diminishes and you stop washing your hands and go about your day.

Unstoppable Impulses

It has been suggested that if you have OCD, your brain has difficulty turning off or ignoring impulses from this circuit. This, in turn, causes repetitive behaviors called compulsions and uncontrollable thoughts called obsessions.

In support of this research, the obsessions and compulsions associated with OCD are often related to sexuality, aggression, and contamination, which are also controlled by these particular circuits. Additionally, neuroimaging studies, in which scientists and doctors look at your brain, have confirmed abnormal activity in this brain circuit.

Serotonin System

Also, since many people with OCD respond to treatment with medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that boost the neurochemical serotonin, it has been suggested that dysfunction of these brain circuits may be related to a problem with the serotonin system.

Genetics

There is also believed to be a genetic component to OCD. You are more likely to develop OCD if a family member has OCD and approximately 25% of people living with OCD have a close family member with the condition.

Illustrating a genetic link, twin studies on identical twins have also shown that both twins are more likely to develop OCD if one twin has the condition. Twin studies have also shown that for children, genetics can comprise between 45% to 65% of your risk of developing OCD.

Cognitive-Behavioral Theories

Almost everyone experiences bizarre or unexpected thoughts throughout the day. According to cognitive-behavioral theories of OCD, if you are vulnerable to OCD you are unable to ignore these thoughts. In addition, some people with OCD may feel that they should be able to control these thoughts, and that these thoughts are dangerous.

For example, you might believe that having these thoughts means you are going crazy or that you might actually carry out the imagined or feared behavior (such as stabbing your partner). Because these thoughts are labeled as dangerous, you remain vigilant and watchful of them, just as you might constantly look out the window if you heard there was a burglar in the neighborhood.

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 difficult—if not impossible—to focus on anything else besides the distressing thoughts. That's when an obsession is born.

Psychodynamic Theories

Psychodynamic theories of OCD state that obsessions and compulsions are signs of unconscious conflict that you might be trying to suppress, resolve, or cope with. These conflicts arise when an unconscious wish (usually related to a sexual or aggressive urge) is at odds with socially acceptable behavior.

In some cases, when these conflicts are extremely repulsive or distressing, a person can only deal with them indirectly by transferring the conflict to something more manageable such as hand-washing, checking, or ordering. Some psychodynamic treatments suggest that making a person aware of their unconscious conflicts can reduce their symptoms but more research is needed.