sobs

Hi all,

I saw a program last week I think........maybe it was Dr. Phil.........and he said he was going to answer the question about OCD being genetic,,,but, either he didn't answer the question, or I zoned out, and missed the answer.

I see that a lot of you have read books regarding OCD. I cannot read, because of a lack of concentration. I end up reading one sentence 50 times, and still don't know what it says. (This is all because of another illness I have.)

I would like to know if the books have said OCD is genetic or not. In reading all of the posts, I have noticed that some tend to think that there may have been a "trigger" that caused at least one thing that I can remember right now, and that is the grammar thing, and the fact that all of us who responded had English teachers in our family. Okay.......I know that isn't a genetic cause.

But, one of my problems could absolutely be genetic. That is handwashing. I didn't think about it until I had the problem, but my poor mother's hands were always chapped and cracked and bleeding, because she washed them so often. But, I also have a "trigger" for my handwashing. I used to work at a jail, where I had to pat down prisoners, was spit on, had other bodily fluids thrown on me,,,,,I think you get the idea. Back then, everytime I patted someone down, or had to go through their property, or count nasty money, I would almost run to the bathroom to wash my hands. For me, and I'm sure most of you, that is totally reasonable. But after I retired due to another illness, my handwashing started creeping into my daily life at home, until it became uncontrollable.

AND, thank God for check cards. To this day, I cannot handle money, because of my days at the jail. I know where it's been, and what has been on it!!!!!!!! I cringe thinking about it.

So, what do you all think? Is it genetic, or does there seem to be a trigger that sets us off?