Can OCD tendencies naturally decrease with age?

Tendencies that occur when we are young can sometimes intensify as we age. This is what I have experienced, and see in my friends the same age as I due to hormonal changes. Hormones help us keep on a even keel, and when they are gone we are more helpless than ever. We need more support than ever as we age, and it is very difficult to find. The younger people are not much help, as they have very little resources to draw from. Older people can draw comfort from each other, as we understand the problems each of us face. Problems concerning our future that the younger generation doesn't give much thought to.

In my experience, they did. When I was little, I had OCD that severely impacted my daily life. It was really hard for me to do any basic tasks without my tendencies taking control of me, but as time went on they started to lessen and didn't affect me as much anymore. While some tendencies have eased down, others have left completely. I'm not sure if they will naturally decrease with age for everyone, but I know that they did for me. I hardly notice my OCD anymore and it no longer takes as big of a toll on my life as it did before.

I have personal experience with OCD. It really depends on the person. With me some OCD tendencies can decrease as you get older. I had checking and contamination rituals. I still have them but the environments and the situations and rooms in my home and changed and I do not do some of the checking and rituals that I had done when I had all of the anxiety and stress that I had as a child. I think it really depends on what your obsessions are, what your compulsions are, and what your rituals are, and how you are acting in different situations that cause you stressful experiences. It really depends on you and how you are able to overcome certain things. Certain OCD tendencies can decrease, but new ones can also come up. It is very helpful to have a trusted therapist who can listen to you in a solution focused way and look at what your best hopes are for the future.

I don't have personal experience with OCD, but I don't think OCD tendencies will naturally decrease with age, after all, if that were the case then there wouldn't be adults struggling with intrusive thoughts from OCD. In fact, I know many adults who struggle from childhood to adulthood with OCD, and most usually say that the thoughts don't really subside, we just learn how to cope better, and how to integrate into society better to become the social 'norm'. that doesn't mean it's impossible that OCD tendencies can decrease with age, but in my own opinion, i think it's not related to age.

Yes, it is possible for OCD tendencies to decrease with age. Any mental illness or condition can change with age. It is possible that symptoms will worsen with age, and it is possible that symptoms will get better with age. Factors in whether symptoms increase or decrease include (but are not limited to) physical health, medication, treatment, support, and genetics.

There is no evidence to show whether it can decrease or increase with age. What is evident is, if the person can identify the time when this habit first started, then appropriate steps can be taken to help this issue. Research shows that OCD tendencies can be resolved if the person can identify the event that triggered it the first time. Therapies towards working on these triggers have been found to work very well towards helping people with OCD. OCD is a coping habit that develops to help a person deal with these triggers. It is just that, a coping mechanism

OCD tendencies and their progression are unique to the individual. While for some they may decrease, for others they may simply manifest in different ways. For example, a common childhood obsession is a fantasy one. Eg. concerns involving magical or surreal beings, or the personification of objects and animals. Yet as you get older, obsessions may morph into concerns with identity and sexuality. If you have concerns about OCD, or think that you may have suffered from it when you were younger, it may be a good idea to see your doctor and speak about it. Although tendencies may decrease, there is a chance that they are still there, yet you are unaware that it is a form of OCD.

I think it is hard to extract the idea of 'naturally decreasing'. It is likely that genetics and environmental influences continue to interplay and this could either prolong, improve or make OCD worse. You may find that over time although you still have periods of 'relapse', you are better equipped with behavioral techniques or self-awareness to be able to break the cycle, face your fears and reduce the impulsive nature of giving into the compulsions and allowing the obsessions to absolutely take over your world. You may learn over time for example, that when you stopped yourself from performing compulsions, the things you feared would happen did not actually happen and such reasoning over time could be helpful in reducing the frequency of giving into a compulsion. I think increasing your self-awareness, which seems to happen naturally with curiosity and age, is fundamental to having a better grasp at OCD or any condition; being able to observe and catch it when a new ‘episode’ first begins and having more power in deciding what to do next. As for OCD tendencies naturally declining with age, there is some information (google search) about it possibly dissipating over time particularly when diagnosed in youth and treated early on or when mild, but I would recommend personally browsing the internet for some research studies which may go into the brain mechanisms behind ocd and the rate of flexibility for change as a factor of age or various other characteristics. I would pose the suggestion though, that this is likely a rather individual thing that depends on the individual and their ongoing life experiences. Treatment is an important factor via therapy and working on the OCD. It is also worth noting that OCD tends to wax and wane. Sometimes it may feel like it is barely present, other times particularly when under stress it may come back in its full glory. Over time though, with the right support and coping mechanisms/an understanding of OCD it can be easier to work with an OCD mind and get on with day to day life.

In my experience with OCD, treatment is what has helped me. It's difficult for me to separate what changes are due to getting older. Everyone has different experiences, but we also share similarities. The most successful treatment for my OCD has been ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and working through the trauma that likely led to developing OCD as a very young child. I still struggle, but in different ways. When I was younger, I had rituals that were more outward. For example, I needed to do everything in multiples of six, and each time needed to feel exactly the same, "just right" or I'd have to start over again. For example, I used to brush my teeth at least 36 times until I got some relief from my anxiety.

I think OCD tendencies ebb and flow depending on triggers. Possibly, if you are not around triggers as much, the compulsions will decrease, on the other hand, you may develop new triggers and new compulsions. Also, I suppose if you get better at controlling anxiety and anxiety around triggering items (which is what's causing the intrusive thoughts and compulsions), compulsions should lessen. However, usually, the only way to truly diminish compulsions is with therapy, be that behavioral or CBT or ERP. In the case of therapy, although it might not be considered "natural", with age and therefore time spent working on OCD compulsions, the intrusive thoughts should decrease.

I don't think that OCD tends to get worse when you're stressed and even after treatment, small relapses or "OCD flare-ups" can still happen. Treatment is key though, as most cases of OCD don't just "go away" or get grown out of without treatment. I have heard that some mild cases of OCD can naturally improve. From my own personal experience, because I went untreated for so long without any resources or knowledge about OCD, my symptoms just continued to get worse but ever since I learned that I wasn't alone and learned to recognize when behaviors are compulsive, I've started to see a decrease in my OCD tendencies. Here is a resource from NOCD that details it better: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/will-my-ocd-get-worse-age-stress I hope this helps!

With learning and experience, sometimes the obsessions and compulsions associated with OCD can decrease. The more coping mechanisms you gain, whether than means the ability to tell yourself that a compulsion will not completely absolve the obsession or vice versa, you'll be more able to reduce the tendencies and frequencies of those behaviours. Replacing the irrational thoughts or behaviours with new truths is a helpful way to mitigate the amount of obsessions or compulsions you may experience and will rewire your thinking into coming up with more positive ways to deal with those thoughts and behaviours. Some people find that performing a ritual a different way makes that ritual less rigid and reduces the compulsion over time

Most people with OCD tendencies can tie this with their childhood. And it just doesn’t go away. OCD tendencies over time will come and go. With age, OCD tendencies can be managed with mindfulness and other strategies. It’s important to understand the differences between having OCD and OCD tendencies. People with OCD may require a different type of treatment. Where as, people with OCD tendencies can use mind activities to reduce the traits. People with OCD tendencies can learn to live comfortably and peaceful, with OCD traits. And be able to cope with their day to day lifestyle; personal and professional.

I'm not an expert but I can speak from experience. I never got officially diagnosed with OCD, but from my behavior and stuff from the past I could tell that to some extent I had OC. It did decrease with age and maturity. But probably that's only because it wasn't that severe. So if your case isn't that severe and not worrisome, hopefully it will eventually fade out. But I would suggest that if you're really concerned about your OC and it's severely interfering with your life then please do consider seeking professional help. That's all I can say, I guess? You understand yourself the best, and if you're unable to help yourself then let others help you. The end goal should be to resolve the issue.

Yes, it can. But there are some adults who deal with OCD their whole life. An example of this is the American rapper NF. He is open.in his music about his struggle and it helps people around the world. Therapy can also help too. Some of the most important things to remember is that it is okay to have this. There should be no shame. Secondly, you should be surrounded by people who love you for who you are and who are willing to help you through this journey. Lastly, remember to feel free to reach out. We are here to help. And there are plenty of resources out there for you!!

It's possible. Over time, I have become less obsessed with completing certain rituals and am now more flexible in how and when I do things. I am not sure how much of this is simply due to age, and how much is a consequence of my being exposed to new ideas, such as the Serenity Prayer, and the Prayer of St. Francis. I think that the less stressful environment I now live in has brought out a different side of me, but that I am also more receptive to these ideas than when I was younger, as I have more experience with the downsides of obsessions.

I'm only 15, but my tendencies have only gotten worse in the 8 years I've had them. It's possible, though, that as I enter adulthood and beyond, they will decrease.

Not necessarily. In fact. OCD tendencies might increase with age. Men and women develop OCD at similar rates and it has been observed in all age groups, from school-aged children to older adults. OCD typically begins in adolescence, but may start in early adulthood or childhood. The onset of OCD is typically gradual, but in some cases it may start suddenly. Symptoms fluctuate in severity from time to time, and this fluctuation may be related to the occurrence of stressful events. Because symptoms usually worsen with age, people may have difficulty remembering when OCD began, but can sometimes recall when they first noticed that the symptoms were disrupting their lives.

it depends really as when you age they can decrease but most of the time the tendencias will not leave someone who has ocd

I think that depends on what ocd is caused by. I would do therapy If i had ocd. Then it will be told what the reason of ocd is and from there you can see If it is decreasing by age. It could increase too. Its addictive. The obsession can get worse. If it is coming from something that will increase this it can increase by age. Example: someone stealing could want more of it. Stealing is known for constant the same “obsession “that will repeat. Without help you could stay in same state constantly seeking for the same thing. If this is caused like an odd it will decrease by age. Around 45 odd will be gone. If its caused by something a person wants to hurt others it will increase by age. I would suggest therapy with ocd.

It just depend on what the person has been taught like. There are some naturally unorganized, tasty people out there that has been raised to be dirty. And if you were me, I find a OCD quite attractive, due to them having responsibility of cleanliness. Me personally a OCD has to have been taught, by someone else who had a OCD. I personally love that about a person, due to me not always reminding them like a child to away clean up what they should already know that they should be doing as an adult. Adults should never let home get so out of order, due to them having some type of maturity.

I would not say that OCD necessarily decreases with age. Instead, it is based on how we cope with having this condition. Some ways to help with OCD is to find different coping mechanisms that may help us. Also, being able to determine what our triggers are can be useful so that we can identify them and know what intensifies the symptoms of our OCD. Have you found anything that possibly helps to lessen your OCD? What has or hasn't worked for you in the past? I would possibly ask yourself those questions to possibly guide you in finding what works best for you. Best of wishes!

It really depends on the person and on the case. With proper therapy and medicine, it's very possible for tendencies to decrease, but it wouldn't really be done naturally. I would say that tendencies themselves don't typically decrease persay, but a person's ability to cope increases as they age and see that things may not be how they think they are and they don't need to seek release in compulsions the way so many people with OCD do. Or, the tendencies will become more manageable ones and obsessions will become milder. But all of this depends on if a person is having success with therapy or other important forms of coping (prescribed medicine, CBD/THC treatment, various learned methods, etc).

People who suffer from OCD often learn coping strategies to handling their condition (such as practicing different ways of handling a situation). Otherwise, OCD is not something that depends on a certain age.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder tendencies are very hard for someone with the disorder to control. Almost everything they see has to be moved, slanted back, straightened, rearranged or rebuilt. I have met many people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and almost all of them are over the age of 20. Most of these people I have known for many many years, and their disorder never changes. A couple of them have been to therapy, and have great support from their friends and loved ones. I do not think OCD naturally decreases with age, but I do feel like someone can get over the disorder with therapy and support.

While OCD might not just decrease due to age, it does get easier to manage as you get older. This is because the older you get, the more experience you have dealing with it and the better equipped you are to deal with it. You may grow out of certain compulsions as well as pick up new ones with age. It is important to learn yourself and learn how to deal with your OCD in the best way for YOU. You are capable of achieving anything but you have to truly believe in yourself before this is possible.

Yes. According to one study, about 20% of people with OCD showed even recovery in maximum 40 years after the onset of symptoms. It is widely accepted that certain people eventually recover even though OCD usually remain lifelong. I would say the disorder generally tends to wax and vane over time. The minority of people exhibits an opposite trend, i.e. worsening of symptoms over the course of their live. The majority shows an episodic pattern with OCD signs getting better or even going away and then appearing again. But still, these episodes are usually milder when you're 60 compared to the age of 20.

It's hard to say, I believe it varies from person to person. Some, like myself, have OCD tendencies present from very early childhood, while some may develop obsessive-compulsive symptoms much later in life, so stating that it 'decreases with age' is a moot point. However, you may notice that you are able to cope better with symptoms as time moves on. As you are constantly learning coping strategies every day, this can definitely impact the severity of tendencies over time. For myself, I know that my tendencies fluctuate over time: while they have definitely decreased a lot with my acknowledging the signs and symptoms, I can still sometimes have step backs. This is okay, as this is a part of the healing process.

No, OCD will always be there. Remember Tesla? His OCD caused him his loneliness and emotions downfall. So, make sure you surround yourself with a lot of good people. Otherwise, prepare for the worst time ever.

In my personal experience, OCD is on a spectrum. Symptoms may increase or decrease based on anxiety levels or based on whatever situation someone may find themselves in.