When you live with a mental health condition like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), it's natural to wonder what life will be like as you get older. You may wonder whether OCD worsens with age, or worry that OCD affects the brain in such a way that could make it harder to manage later in life.

The good news is that OCD does not naturally get worse just because you age. Many people with OCD are able to manage their symptoms well with the right treatment. But like many chronic mental health conditions, OCD can worsen when it’s left untreated, especially during stressful life events.

Is OCD ruining your life? Thrive Therapy offers OCD treatment in Phoenix, Glendale, and online throughout Arizona. Our therapists understand how OCD works and are highly trained in exposure and response prevention (ERP), the gold standard treatment for OCD. Get in touch with us today to get matched with a therapist.

Can OCD get worse with age?

The simple answer to this is: No, aging itself doesn't cause your OCD symptoms to get worse. There is nothing inherent about OCD that makes it naturally worsen with age.

People of all ages --- children, teens, adults, and older adults --- live with OCD. Some people have milder symptoms, while some people experience it more severely. Age doesn't matter when it comes to this.

But there are some common aspects of aging that can become OCD triggers for some people, which we'll go over in the next section. That doesn't mean that OCD inherently gets worse with age, but that we may be more likely to experience stressful life events as we get older. And stress can often cause mental health symptoms to get worse.

Also --- and this is a critical point --- OCD is a chronic condition that requires professional treatment. It doesn't go away on its own. If you don't receive OCD treatment, then your symptoms will likely get worse and worse over time. That doesn't mean that age itself is causing your OCD to get worse, but that the condition may worsen over time because it hasn't been treated effectively.

What makes OCD symptoms worse? Common triggers

Again, age itself doesn't make the symptoms of OCD worse. But there are some triggers that may come up as you move through life that could make it feel like your symptoms are getting worse over time.

• The death of a parent or another major loss
• Becoming a parent, especially if your obsessions focus on harm, responsibility, or safety
• Divorce, relationship loss, or major family conflict
• Hormonal changes, including postpartum changes or perimenopause (research shows that up to 25% of women with OCD may experience worse symptoms during menopause)
• Retirement, especially if your routine has helped you manage compulsive behaviors
• Illness, injury, or new health conditions
• Trauma, including events that happen later in adulthood
• Caregiving stress
• Increased isolation
• Major changes in work, finances, or housing

To be clear, these things don't directly cause you to develop OCD. OCD is caused by the combination of multiple risk factors, including genetics. But if you already live with OCD, these life stressors can trigger a flare-up.

Warning signs of worsening symptoms

Just like most other chronic health conditions, OCD may start getting worse at any age or any point in your life. If and when it does, it's important to talk to a mental health provider so that you can take quick action. Even if you've been through treatment (or are currently in treatment), it might be necessary to adjust the plan to account for your worsening symptoms.

Keep an eye out for these signs that may indicate worsening OCD symptoms:

• Your obsessions feel more frequent or intense than usual. Intrusive thoughts feel harder to dismiss.
• Your compulsions are taking up more time in your day. You spend more time researching, checking, reviewing, or mentally replaying situations.
• Your compulsive behaviors are starting to feel harder (even impossible) to resist. You feel a stronger urge to complete repetitive behaviors or mental acts.
• You avoid more places, people, activities, or responsibilities because of OCD.
• You rely more on reassurance from other people.
• Your anxiety feels unmanageable when you try to resist a compulsion.
• Your symptoms of OCD are interfering with work, school, relationships, or parenting.
• You feel like your OCD flare-ups last longer than they used to.
• You feel depressed, ashamed, or emotionally exhausted.

Could OCD get better with age?

Conversely, you might also wonder if OCD could get better with age. Is this something you'll naturally grow out of? Will you one day be old and wise enough to handle it on your own?

Unfortunately, research shows that OCD doesn't naturally get better with age, either. Without treatment, your symptoms could stay the same or even get worse. Some people do learn techniques and strategies that help them better deal with their symptoms over time. But the symptoms themselves aren’t likely to naturally go away.

The good news is that OCD, even severe OCD, can be managed with proper treatment. It may not completely go away, but effective treatment can help you build a life that isn't controlled by OCD.

OCD can evolve, and your symptoms may change over time, but seeking treatment can help you understand what’s happening and what to do next.

How to take care of your mental health as you age

OCD itself won't necessarily get worse as you age, especially if you're getting the right treatment. The best thing you can do is take steps to care for your overall mental health in every stage of your life.

• Stay connected to OCD-specific treatment. A general mental health professional may be helpful for some concerns, but OCD usually requires specialized care.
• Learn about your triggers. When you understand what tends to make your OCD worse, you can respond as soon as possible instead of waiting until symptoms intensify.
• Keep routines where you can, especially when it comes to your physical health. Restful sleep, nutritious meals, exercise and movement, medication, and therapy appointments can all play a role in better mental health.
• Avoid, or at least delay, feeding your compulsions. Compulsive behaviors like seeking reassurance, checking, avoidance, and mental reviewing may reduce anxiety for a moment, but they usually keep the OCD loop going. If you can't avoid them completely, try to delay them by 5 minutes, then another 5.
• Be open to treatment changes. Your needs may change as your life changes, especially after things like grief, trauma, parenting changes, or new medical stress trigger your symptoms.
• Remember that OCD can get worse during stress. This is normal, and it doesn't mean you're back at the beginning or that all of your hard work during recovery was wasted. Progress isn't linear.

Get OCD treatment in Phoenix & Glendale, AZ

The reality for many adults with OCD is that life with this condition is a rollercoaster — symptoms can get better or worse, and then better (or worse) again, depending on what else is going on in your life. 

Your experiences with OCD can evolve and change over time, but it's always possible to get the right kind of help and make OCD feel more manageable.

At Thrive Therapy, we offer OCD treatment in Phoenix, Glendale, and online throughout Arizona. Our therapists understand how OCD works and are highly trained in exposure and response prevention (ERP), the gold standard treatment for OCD. We also offer a specialized intensive outpatient program (IOP) for adults with OCD who need more structured care. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for OCD is another option for those who live with treatment-resistant OCD.

If you're worried that your OCD is getting worse with age, treatment is the answer. 

Reach out to Thrive Therapy to learn more about OCD therapy and how we can help you take the next step.