Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Genetic?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGenetic RisksEnvironmental RisksGenetics of OCDGenetic/Environment Interactions

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Table of Contents

Genetic Risks

Environmental Risks

Genetics of OCD

Genetic/Environment Interactions

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The exact causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are not fully understood, but it is clear that genetics play a role. Current evidence suggests that genetic factors interact with environmental variables to affect the risk of a person developing OCD.

With the human genome having finally been mapped out, the search is on for those genes that cause us to develop illnesses, includingobsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD). Although it is clear that OCD has ageneticbasis, it is not yet clear which genes may be important and under what circumstances.

At a GlanceOCD runs in families, but having a family member with the condition is no guarantee that you will also have it. Environmental factors still play a major role, and it is the combined interaction of inherited and environmental influences that determines whether you will develop OCD at some point in your life. Keep reading to learn more about how genes may affect the likelihood of developing OCD and how these factors may interact with environmental risks.

At a Glance

OCD runs in families, but having a family member with the condition is no guarantee that you will also have it. Environmental factors still play a major role, and it is the combined interaction of inherited and environmental influences that determines whether you will develop OCD at some point in your life. Keep reading to learn more about how genes may affect the likelihood of developing OCD and how these factors may interact with environmental risks.

Genetic Risk for OCD

Before discussing whether there is a genetic basis for OCD, let’s review some basic genetic concepts and how they relate to illness.

Genes act as the body’s blueprint for making different proteins, which are used to manufacture an enormous number of tissues and biochemicals. Interestingly, different people can have different versions of a given gene, which are sometimes called alleles.

A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found that about 50% of the risk for OCD is attributed to genetics.

The 3 Main Theories of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

How Environmental Factors Affect OCD

However, it is important to realize that the environment strongly influences whether a particular genetic vulnerability can express itself in the form of an illness. For example, a person who is genetically vulnerable to lung cancer may only develop the disease if they smoke cigarettes or are exposed to heavy environmental pollution.

In another instance, a person who is vulnerable todepressionmay never become depressed if they don’t ever encounter a severe enough stressor.

Although we often hear about the “nature versus nurture” debate, most experts now recognize that it is theinteractionbetween our genes and the environment that determines whether we develop an illness. Indeed, while our genes “load the gun,” it is the environment that “pulls the trigger.”

Research with identical twins has found that similarities in symptoms are attributable largely to genetic factors and unique experiences as opposed to shared experiences.

Understanding the Genetics of OCD

While there does not appear to be a specific “OCD gene,” there is evidence that particular versions or alleles of certain genes may signal greater vulnerability.

For example, there is some preliminary evidence that having particular versions or alleles of genes controlling the manufacture of certain brain chemicals may reflect some sort of vulnerability to developing OCD. These include:

That said, it is far from clear how these genes influence the development of OCD, and there is plenty of research that still needs to be done.

Research has also found that genetics plays a role in the variability in the severity of symptoms that people with OCD experience. Approximately 36% to 42% of the variance between milder and more severe symptoms can be attributed to genetics.

Genetic Vulnerability Means Little Without Environment

In addition, it is important to keep in mind that these (and other, as of yet undiscovered) genetic vulnerabilities may only be relevant under the right environmental conditions. For example, OCD is associated with prenatal risk factors, such as gaining too much weight while pregnant and difficult labor, as well as life stressors, such as significant emotional or physical abuse.

As such, someone may not develop OCD unless they possess the right genetic vulnerability under the right (or wrong, perhaps) circumstances.

OCD is a very complex illness. It is very unlikely that a single gene out of the roughly 30,000 we possess could ever be responsible for generating the complexobsessions and compulsionsthat are characteristic of OCD. It is much more likely that OCD is the result of many different genes interacting to create an increased vulnerability.

Studies of the genetics of OCD are currently focusing on genetic differences that might explain the differentOCD symptom subtypesthat exist. Such research could be helpful in developing treatments that are able to target specific symptoms with greater effectiveness than is currently possible.

Keep in Mind

Having a genetic vulnerability for OCD is not a guarantee that you will develop this condition. It takes a combination of genetic and environmental factors to develop OCD. A 2021 review noted that despite considerable research on the genetics of OCD, researchers still do not fully understand how genetics and environmental risk combine to create the range of symptoms and sub-types that exist.

There is no way to prevent obsessive-compulsive disorder, but watching for signs of the disorder and seeking treatment early on can reduce its effect on your life and ability to function.

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Browne HA, Gair SL, Scharf JM, Grice DE.Genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2014;37(3):319–335. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2014.06.002Blanco-Vieira T, Radua J, Marcelino L, Bloch M, Mataix-Cols D, do Rosário MC.The genetic epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Transl Psychiatry. 2023;13(1):230. Published 2023 Jun 28. doi:10.1038/s41398-023-02433-2Strom NI, Soda T, Mathews CA, Davis LK.A dimensional perspective on the genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder.Transl Psychiatry. 2021;11(1):401. doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01519-zKroska EB, Miller ML, Roche AI, Kroska SK, O’Hara MW.Effects of traumatic experiences on obsessive-compulsive and internalizing symptoms: The role of avoidance and mindfulness.J Affect Disord. 2018;225:326–336. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.039Mahjani B, Bey K, Boberg J, Burton C.Genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder.Psychol Med. 2021;51(13):2247-2259. doi:10.1017/S0033291721001744

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Browne HA, Gair SL, Scharf JM, Grice DE.Genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2014;37(3):319–335. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2014.06.002Blanco-Vieira T, Radua J, Marcelino L, Bloch M, Mataix-Cols D, do Rosário MC.The genetic epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Transl Psychiatry. 2023;13(1):230. Published 2023 Jun 28. doi:10.1038/s41398-023-02433-2Strom NI, Soda T, Mathews CA, Davis LK.A dimensional perspective on the genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder.Transl Psychiatry. 2021;11(1):401. doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01519-zKroska EB, Miller ML, Roche AI, Kroska SK, O’Hara MW.Effects of traumatic experiences on obsessive-compulsive and internalizing symptoms: The role of avoidance and mindfulness.J Affect Disord. 2018;225:326–336. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.039Mahjani B, Bey K, Boberg J, Burton C.Genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder.Psychol Med. 2021;51(13):2247-2259. doi:10.1017/S0033291721001744

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Browne HA, Gair SL, Scharf JM, Grice DE.Genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2014;37(3):319–335. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2014.06.002Blanco-Vieira T, Radua J, Marcelino L, Bloch M, Mataix-Cols D, do Rosário MC.The genetic epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Transl Psychiatry. 2023;13(1):230. Published 2023 Jun 28. doi:10.1038/s41398-023-02433-2Strom NI, Soda T, Mathews CA, Davis LK.A dimensional perspective on the genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder.Transl Psychiatry. 2021;11(1):401. doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01519-zKroska EB, Miller ML, Roche AI, Kroska SK, O’Hara MW.Effects of traumatic experiences on obsessive-compulsive and internalizing symptoms: The role of avoidance and mindfulness.J Affect Disord. 2018;225:326–336. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.039Mahjani B, Bey K, Boberg J, Burton C.Genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder.Psychol Med. 2021;51(13):2247-2259. doi:10.1017/S0033291721001744

Browne HA, Gair SL, Scharf JM, Grice DE.Genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2014;37(3):319–335. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2014.06.002

Blanco-Vieira T, Radua J, Marcelino L, Bloch M, Mataix-Cols D, do Rosário MC.The genetic epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Transl Psychiatry. 2023;13(1):230. Published 2023 Jun 28. doi:10.1038/s41398-023-02433-2

Strom NI, Soda T, Mathews CA, Davis LK.A dimensional perspective on the genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder.Transl Psychiatry. 2021;11(1):401. doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01519-z

Kroska EB, Miller ML, Roche AI, Kroska SK, O’Hara MW.Effects of traumatic experiences on obsessive-compulsive and internalizing symptoms: The role of avoidance and mindfulness.J Affect Disord. 2018;225:326–336. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.039

Mahjani B, Bey K, Boberg J, Burton C.Genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder.Psychol Med. 2021;51(13):2247-2259. doi:10.1017/S0033291721001744

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