Does anyone know if OCD is hereditary ?
OCD hereditary ?: Does anyone know if OCD is... - OCD Support
OCD Support
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OCD hereditary ?
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There's nothing to prove that it is, though I'm sure there is a genetic component. So being predisposed to OCD could be inherited. But lots of people have OCD without family members also having it, and having a parent or close relative who has it doesn't mean you'll have it.
There's also the possibility that where a family link is established that it is learned behaviour. So having a parent with OCD could mean that a child learns to deal with difficulty using OCD rituals. Just as alcoholism can have a genetic component. So a child may inherit a predisposition to alcoholism from a parent, but they may also learn to use alcohol as a coping mechanism. However, they may also be put off alcohol by a parent's behaviour under the influence!
in reply to Sallyskins
WOW thank you miss Sallyskins, I am on board with the learned behavior of my mother possibly having troubles dealing with life on life's terms. Thanks so much.
I have read that it is likely that there is a genetic component. My nephew has it, and I only recently learned that my Father had it, although to what degree I don't know, and never asked. I don't think he was even aware of it.
in reply to OpieD
Thank you. Seems to be the case that you don't know about or you don't find out about it because nobody really wants to talk about it.
I don’t know if it is or isn’t. Just my personal experience, I have it and recently learned my mother does too. Whether that’s coincidence or a genetic predisposition, I’m not sure.
in reply to EleanorRose
I am starting to believe that it may be a combination of genetics and a learned behavior. Maybe this is why it is so difficult to treat. I think that denial of the illness is also learned , there is such a stigma surrounding us about it that we have a problem ' exposing ' ourselves to others. Thanks for your comments.
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