Studies out of the Karolinska Institute’s Center for Psychiatry Research in Stockholm have discovered that caesareans, pre-term and breech births, abnormally large or small children and smoking during pregnancy could be tied to a child being diagnosed with OCD.
OCD, according to the International OCD Foundation, is “a mental health disorder that affects people of all ages” and “occurs when a person gets caught in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions.
But while there may be links, lead researcher of the study, Gustaf Brander, says there’s no scientific proof that these factors cause OCD, just that they are associated with the mental health disorder.
However, Brander’s co-author of the study suggests that the combination of genetics and environmental factors could trigger the condition.
“Some of these are not ones that you can prevent, but others, like smoking, can be [prevented],” said Leckman, as reported by Medical Xpress.
The take-home message? Lifestyle choices and behaviours can ultimately impact the health, and future, of your child – for better or worse.
