Language
English
Publication Date
7-30-2026
Journal
Current Psychiatry Reports
DOI
10.1007/s11920-026-01708-x
PMID
42530740
PMCID
PMC13424220
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
7-30-2026
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Purpose of review: This review critically evaluates the claim that etiology is not relevant to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Research on the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes associated with traumatic/stressor and biological etiologies is presented.
Recent findings: The extant literature demonstrates varying clinical utility across the reviewed etiologies. Traumatic/stressor etiologies show the most consistent and robust evidence of clinical utility, demonstrating compelling associations with clinical presentation and treatment outcomes, while also being amenable to existing evidence-based approaches. Medical conditions (e.g., Pediatric Acute onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and neurobiological factors also demonstrate considerable associations with OCD presentation, yet effective treatments are more variable. Genetics research is still emerging, with unclear clinical utility based on presently available treatments. Etiology has variable clinical utility for OCD. We argue that some etiological mechanisms become maintenance factors that are relevant treatment targets, and call for continued research in these emerging domains.
Keywords
Humans, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Etiology, Trauma, Biological, Cognitive behavioral therapy
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Caitlin M Pinciotti, Ryan J McCarty, and Gabriella T Ponzini, ""It Doesn't Matter Where OCD Comes From," or Does It?" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7818.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7818