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Hi Spiritt, No, OCD is not a
Hi Spiritt,
No, OCD is not a "birth defect". People aren't born with OCD. Rather, it is believed (as with most psychiatric disorders) that they may be born with a predisposition towards it. Whether or not it develops likely depends on a complex combination and interaction of multiple other factors.
For example, OCD tends to run in families. This may be due to genetics, as well as learning. If you learn poor coping skills while you’re growing up, you will have a greater risk of developing OCD and other disorders, particularly other anxiety disorders and depression. However, that doesn't automatically mean you will develop it; it just increases the risk.
A history of trauma or other highly stressful life events also increases the risk of developing OCD. Other risk factors include having certain personality traits and also already having another anxiety disorder.
No one can predict who will and who won't develop OCD. But some have a much greater risk than others.
I hope that helps answer your question
Dr. Lane