Will My OCD get worse over time?

“Will my OCD get worse over time?” is a common question asked by those with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

In this article, we’re going to explore what may increase the severity of OCD symptoms, and the many options that are available to you to combat those symptoms.

It’s important to understand that we cannot predict when or how OCD will worsen, only that certain components can play a significant role. Stress, comorbidities, life circumstances, and – you guessed it – engaging in compulsions can all increase the severity and intensity of OCD symptoms.

Please know that if you do have OCD, it is a very common condition that is highly treatable!

The severity of OCD tends to ebb and flow throughout one’s life (with a biomedical peak in early adolescence and early adulthood). But it doesn’t necessarily get worse for everyone, you may find it becomes easier to live with or that symptoms remain at a consistent level.

However, if you do find that your symptoms are becoming unmanageable and OCD is beginning to take over your life, just know that there is help available to you.

What makes OCD worse over time?

There are multiple reasons why OCD may get worse over time, most of which we will explore a little further on in this article.

The most important thing to understand is that engaging in compulsive behaviors guarantees that OCD continues to thrive and will likely increase the intensity of symptoms.

If we take a look at the OCD cycle, we can see that the initial obsessions trigger distressing levels of uncertainty and anxiety. It is the presence of anxiety within our body that makes those obsessions feel so real.

They feel dangerous, urgent, and imminent.

We feel like we need to respond quickly to resolve that sense of uncertainty. This is why we engage in compulsive behaviors. Physical and mental compulsions offer temporary relief from anxiety and uncertainty.

For a moment, we feel like we regain a sense of control and certainty. The fear alleviates and the sense of danger dissipates for a short while.

Unfortunately, OCD is never truly satisfied! It thrives on a person’s inability to tolerate the discomfort of uncertainty. And so when we engage in those compulsive behaviors, we unintentionally reinforce the OCD cycle.

We teach our brain that those obsessions are worthy of our attention and that we are not capable of managing the anxiety without our safety behaviors. Therefore, when the obsession arises next time, instead of utilizing helpful coping mechanisms we remain trapped in OCD’s loop.

If you recognize that you continue to move through this cycle, please do not criticize or punish yourself for doing so.

OCD can be incredibly sneaky and incredibly convincing.

The fact that you notice this is incredibly positive! This awareness is the first step toward a full OCD recovery. 

What other factors might make OCD symptoms worse?

Compulsions will remain the most common cause behind the worsening of OCD symptoms, but there are other components we can also consider…

Comorbidities

A comorbid condition is a term used for those who have two co-occurring mental health conditions. 

As you can imagine, living with a disorder such as OCD can be painful in isolation but add another mental health condition into the mix, and it can really limit how a person experiences life.

Some common comorbid conditions include depression, BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, skin-picking disorder, hair-pulling disorder, eating disorders, and many more.

When conditions become more severe, OCD could get worse.

For example, let’s say someone with Relationship OCD also has body dysmorphic disorder. They may experience intrusive thoughts about whether or not their partner truly loves them. This alone may be something they feel they can manage.

To ease their anxiety, they may engage in excessive people-pleasing or reassurance-seeking behaviors. For them, this may be enough for the OCD to feel under control.

However, if we introduce BDD into the scenario, they may fixate on how a particular feature of their face looks (a feature they may deem as ‘ugly’ or ‘unsightly’). Although this person engages in compulsive rituals to alleviate their fears about their relationship, their beliefs about their appearance could begin to act as ‘proof’ that their thoughts must be correct.

They may think to themselves, “How could they love you when you look like this?” or “Of course he doesn’t love you; look at your face.”

One condition begins to feed into the other and the two can become easily entangled and reinforce each other.

Please note: Although there is an added layer of complexity to comorbid conditions, there is still so much hope for a happier and healthier future. Please get in touch with a qualified mental health professional who will be able to guide you through a tailored recovery plan that will tackle both conditions in the most effective way.

Stressful life events

The World Health Organization defines stress as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation.

Negative life stressors make it more difficult to manage the symptoms of OCD.

If we’re already in a state of high stress it makes it harder to disengage in those compulsive behaviors because, understandably, we may not feel like we have the focus, clarity, or strength to manage the added stress of OCD.

Common stressful life events may include working long hours, financial commitments, going through a divorce, loss of a loved one, managing parental responsibilities, and relationship issues, for example.

Substance abuse

With OCD ranking within the top 10 most debilitating health conditions in the world, it is unsurprising that sufferers may turn to substances such as alcohol or drugs to alleviate their pain.

Studies have found that 27% of 323 adults with OCD met the criteria for substance abuse disorder.

The relationship between OCD and substance abuse becomes a vicious cycle of chemical dependency to cope with the pain, isolation, and feelings of hopelessness associated with OCD, which in turn can increase anxiety and worsen compulsive behaviors.

If you relate to this scenario, please understand that this is nothing to feel ashamed of. 

OCD and other related mental health conditions are painful and can be very quick to limit your experiences of life. You did not ask for this, and in no way should you judge yourself for trying to find relief.

Like comorbid conditions, OCD and substance abuse can both be treated effectively with the correct care.

How you might feel if OCD is left untreated

OCD may get worse if left untreated.

If you decide not to treat your OCD, it does not guarantee that symptoms will get worse for you.

However, if you do recognize that your symptoms are becoming more intense, we encourage you to have a conversation with a trained OCD specialist.

The reason is that as OCD gets progressively more severe, what began as a relatively minor inconvenience to life in one particular area can spread to wider areas of life. 

You may feel increased isolation, overwhelm, hopelessness, and lack of joy.

This isn’t said to scare you! Only to make you aware that OCD is a mental health condition that should be taken seriously as it is skilled at stealing joy and happiness from people’s lives, and we don’t want that for you.

A course of ERP therapy to manage those intrusive thoughts and resist the urge to engage in compulsive behaviors could radically transform your life!

When is it time to seek treatment?

There is no such thing as ‘too soon’ or ‘too late’.

So many OCD sufferers don’t receive a formal diagnosis until years after their initial symptoms. This happens for a number of reasons with one of the primary reasons being, fear of judgment.

Shame is a prominent emotion felt by those with OCD. They feel ashamed for having their thoughts, for not being present for their loved ones how they would like to be, for not being able to hold on to relationships that they value…

It’s easy for professionals like us to say, “There’s nothing to feel ashamed of!” but the reality is quite different for those in the throes of OCD.

That shame often stops people with OCD from reaching out for help.

They may already fear that they’re a bad person for having these thoughts or fear that they might be ‘going crazy’.

So it makes complete sense that there would be hesitation to seek professional help in case they’re misunderstood. All we want you to know here is that a highly qualified OCD specialist understands how OCD functions.

They will understand that terrifying intrusive thoughts about brutally killing your partner are Harm OCD thoughts, and not an actual desire to cause harm, for example.

If you relate to the symptoms of OCD then it’s never too early or too late to seek help.

And while you can take steps to help yourself, if you notice that the symptoms of OCD are beginning to negatively impact your ability to live life the way you desire, we encourage you to reach out for support.

If you have delved into the world of OCD and explored treatment options, you’ll likely understand that it can be hard work (rewarding, but hard!).

Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is the gold standard of treatment in OCD recovery. It requires us to purposefully expose ourselves to triggering stimuli (intentionally bringing about the anxiety that we would normally try to avoid) so that we can learn to tolerate it rather than engage in compulsive behaviors.

OCD treatment to prevent OCD from getting worse

Having read this article, it may feel like there are so many factors working against you. But we want you to know that effective recovery is more than possible for you. 

Scientifically proven methodologies such as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and ERP (exposure response prevention) are showing incredible results in the OCD community.

With so many tools and techniques available, you can not only continue to live in recovery but prevent your OCD from getting worse in the future.

The goal here is to live life on your terms (not OCD’s terms!).

• You can build and maintain strong friendships.
• You can believe that you are an incredible parent/human.
• You can stop avoiding people, places, or things that bring you joy.
• You can visit your friends, go to birthday parties, and watch that film!

And you can do this when you have all of the knowledge and tools at your disposal to manage OCD as you move through the peaks and troughs of life.

It all begins with a conversation with your mental health professional.

They will offer a correct and thorough diagnosis before starting you on a tailored treatment plan. This may include treatment with or without medication, but this must be decided upon with a qualified specialist.

Your treatment will be as individual as you are. Working with a skilled OCD clinician will ensure that you receive the right access, resources, and support to manage your mental health for long-term success.

Private 1:1 Therapy

Our friendly team of highly qualified mental health professionals is trained to the highest standards and offers a warm and compassionate approach to therapy for those based in California.

Clients are often hesitant to begin therapy.

They know they can’t carry on living this way, but they just aren’t sure that recovery is possible for them. We quickly show them that it is!

When you come to us, you’ll be met with an elite team of licensed OCD specialists who are invested in your recovery.

You’ll be met with non-judgment and you won’t be asked to do anything that you don’t feel you can manage.

We’re going to work on this together.

A life where intrusive thoughts don’t rule every waking hour of our day is not as far away as you might think.

If you’re interested to see how we can support you and you’re based in California, please submit an initial intake form here.

It would be our pleasure to assist your OCD recovery.

ERP SCHOOL: Online program

If private therapy isn’t currently an option for you, OCD specialist Kimberley Quinlan has created an affordable online program called ERP SCHOOL that is accessible to everyone.

You will learn the exact tools and techniques given to those in a private therapy setting, and you will understand how to apply them to your specific intrusive thoughts and compulsions.

By the end of the program, you will have the knowledge and understanding to stop letting your intrusive thoughts ruin your life and resist the urge to do compulsions that keep you trapped in the OCD Cycle.

Join ERP SCHOOL here.