Does OCD ever leave?

At first you have to make yourself stop doing those things. This will be difficult. But after that, you will get used to it and OCD will leave. You have to be determined and work it. This will not happen in one day but if you try you will see results! When you are in a good mood, that helps a lot too.

I found the more I understood about the disorder, the clearer things became. Don’t underestimate the power of medication which in severe cases is a must.

@dina_didi I’m way better now (than two years ago) but I never knew how it is without OCD, you know… I don’t really know how people live without it, I understand what behaviors are not normal, I know what caused it, I don’t waste my day like that anymore, but… it’s always there, somewhere.

I understand. Many of my friends have this behaviour and when I was a teenager I used to have OCD. It was not a severe case, so I was lucky and after one month I got rid of it. You can’t totally get rid of OCD but you can improve it. That way it will not cause you any problem in your everyday life. The way I improved it was determination and no matter how much I wanted to switch the lights on and off, I told myself “No, leave it and get out of the room”. I am still working on it by keeping myself happy and busy.

@dina_didi oh the lights. When at my worst, I’d switch ‘em on and off 36 times before leaving the room. I’m glad I don’t anymore. I still have the thoughts that appear out of nowhere and make me worry that I might do or say something that I really shouldn’t, though.

I am glad to hear that you are better now! You have to recognise yourself that you worked on this and that your efforts paid off. Do not worry about OCD because it brings you back. Just think what you have to do, and when you think of doing something repeatedly, stop for a minute and tell yourself that you are going to do only necessary moves. Good luck!

@dina_didi Thanks :) yeah I usually stop and have the “don’t be stupid” moment…

Yes. You can get rid of OCDs.
They are very hard to get rid off but like everything else it’s not impossible. Proper medication and therapist consultation are what you’ll need. Severe OCDs can ruin a person’s life both mentally and physically. You can’t figure that out because you’re out of control. If you want to attain balance you will have to be in control. It’s all in the brain. Your brain doesn’t control you. Constant reassuring, medical help and self insurement can lead you to normalcy, and nothing else.

The symptoms may be controlled, but the underlying condition will remain and you will have to be vigilant your whole life. Also, the condition has a genetic component.

I agree with @marinelife. I think most of our psychological conditions cannot be completely irradicated; we can learn to control them with therapy, self-talk and perhaps, medication if warranted.

Mine is mild, checking locks, coffee pots, curlers, etc…but never leaves. Stress triggers mine so I try to relax.

After years of trying to get rid of my impulse control disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder, I’ve realized that it’s something I’m always going to have. I can learn to control it, or find a medication that helps, but the underlying problem doesn’t just disappear.
I’ll never be able to say that I don’t have Dermatillomania of Trichotillomania. The goal isn’t to get rid of these disorders, but to get to a point where they’re no longer interfering with my life.

I’ve had OCD since I was younger, and it got really bad to a point, got “better” then got worse. Now, it’s just there, but it’s definitely way better than before. It never really goes away, but you either learn to live with it or it decides to not get in the way.

With determination on your part some people can break free of the habits, but many have to go on medication to free themselves of the OCD nightmare. I just finished working on a house that was rented by a couple who’s wife has OCD and she is making my life a living nightmare, with the constant cleaning and wanting something just right or the pipes are making noises and it goes on and on. She needs a visit to a doctor and needs to be on medication. I do feel sorry for her husband since he is around this 24/7.