What Doesn’t Cause OCD

Children who have OCD didn’t do something to cause it.  And their parents didn’t do anything to cause it either.  OCD is a neurobiological disorder, not a condition that is caused by an action or inaction.

OCD is not caused by the way parents talk with their children (or don’t talk with them).  It’s not caused by how children are disciplined (or not disciplined), or how they were toilet-trained.  It doesn’t matter if both parents work, if Mom is a stay-at-home Mom or if parents are divorced or remarry.  Even the worst parenting in the world doesn’t cause OCD.  However, if a child is genetically predisposed to OCD or has a subclinical case of OCD, a stress “trigger” or trauma may precipitate symptoms.  For a child who already has OCD, stress or a transition may worsen symptoms.

Here are some common misconceptions about the cause of OCD:

• STRESS.  Stress doesn’t cause OCD, although symptoms sometimes begin after a severe trauma, such as the death of a loved one.  Other stress triggers include the birth of a sibling, a marriage, divorce, move to a new home or community, transition of a child to a new school or new school year, natural disaster such as an earthquake or hurricane, or even going to summer camp.  And if OCD symptoms are already present, stress can worsen those symptoms.  A number of environmental factors can aggravate a child's OCD, including anxiety, fatigue and illness.  Making demands on a student that can't be met due to OCD symptoms can also create tension.  Moreover, even positive events -- the excitement associated with birthdays, holidays, and vacations -- can be stressful.  School personnel may benefit from getting input from parents about situations that increase their child's anxiety or discomfort as well as strategies they have used successfully to manage stress.  Even when stress is resolved, however, the OCD symptoms still must be treated.
• ILLNESS.  Childhood illnesses do not cause OCD, although there is evidence that a strep infection may trigger the sudden onset of symptoms in children who are genetically predisposed to OCD.  Again, curing the strep and removing the trigger may not resolve the OCD symptoms.
• PARENTING.  No evidence exists that the way parents guide or discipline their children causes OCD.  Parents should not be blamed when a child exhibits symptoms of this disorder.  Although family problems don't cause OCD, families may inadvertently have an impact on the maintenance of OCD symptoms.  In an attempt to decrease the distress children with OCD experience, family members frequently accommodate OCD behaviors.  For example, they may provide verbal reassurance when the child requests it, or they may conduct rituals with or for the child (e.g., helping the child do laundry or checking an oven).  They may also provide items the child needs to carry out rituals (e.g., soap for hand washing) or allow or even help the child avoid objects, places, or situations that trigger OCD symptoms.  Although usually well-intentioned, family accommodations not only can have a negative impact on family dynamics but also may reinforce the child's future involvement in rituals and avoidance.  Thus, family members essentially enable the child, and symptoms worsen, rather than improve.  A worsening of OCD symptoms may also occur if family members react to a child's rituals with criticism or hostility.

Parents of children with OCD need to develop special skills to help their children overcome and manage the disorder.  Moreover, a calm and supportive family environment may help improve the benefits a child with OCD receives from treatment.  Involving family members during the treatment process -- especially when they are involved in rituals -- is key to the overall success of treatment.

Educators are in a position to assist parents in helping a child with OCD get relief.  A good resource not only for you, but also to recommend to parents, is OCD Chicago’s guide, How to Help Your Child.

Order or download a copy of How to Help Your Child .

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