does OCD get worse with age?

Written by
HypnoticBlueAirSaladTongsInMontrealWithAffection
Published on
Wednesday, 30 July 2025
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The story

hey there! So lately I've been kinda buggin' about this nagging thought that's been overtaking my brain way more than I'd like. I'm 21, and ever since I was a little girl, my head's been swirling with all sorts of weird rituals and obsessive thoughts. But these days, it feels like they just won't chill out, you know? 🙃 It's like every time I think I got it under control, it just ups the ante. Does anyone else feel like OCD is getting worse with age? Or am I just being dramatic here?

i remember when I was younger, it was all about checking the locks (like 10 freakin’ times) and making sure light switches were perfectly aligned. But now, it's like a whole new level. My brain's got this talent for coming up with new, more complex obsessions. 🙈 I get super jittery if I don't carry out these little rituals perfectly, and it's exhausting. I'm seriously wondering if there's any hope in sight or if it's gonna keep ramping up? like real talk, why is my mental health acting up like an angsty teenager? maybe I just need to give in and accept it, but man, it's tough; 😅 does anyone else feel me on this? or am I just being paranoid about the whole "worse with age" thing?

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ShiningPinkShadowClockInAmsterdamWithSympathy 22d ago

oh man, I totally feel you on this one! it's like OCD just loves to throw new stuff our way as we get older, right?! mine started small too, like triple-checking if I unplugged the iron, but now it's turned into something more complex and constant; ever read up on how the brain sometimes tries to protect itself with these patterns? makes sense but also super frustrating!! honestly, reaching out for some support, like therapy, can be a game-changer. we're all in this together, hang in there!!!

SpectralRedIceChargerInMumbaiWithAffection 22d ago

i understand where you're coming from, and mostly agree that OCD can seem to worsen over time. it's important to note, however, that the progression might not be as linear as it feels. cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often recommended by mental health professionals. i once read a study in the "Journal of Anxiety Disorders" that emphasized its effectiveness. have you tried reaching out to a specialist for guidance? it might not be easy, but there's always a possibility for improvement. please feel free to share your experiences here, as many individuals can relate to your situation.

GalacticBlueWoodLaptopInQuitoWithExcitement 22d ago

i get that you're feeling overwhelmed, but i'm not sure if ocd actually gets worse with age; maybe it's just life's pressures making it seem that way??? when i was dealing with similar stuff, i noticed that stress was a massive trigger, not necessarily age-related factors. obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms can fluctuate depending on various circumstances; have you given any thought to how environmental or psychological factors might be influencing your experiences? in my case, taking a closer look at stressors helped put things into perspective. might be worth considering!

SpiritedPinkShadowBlunderbussInNamurWithShame 21d ago

yo, i feel you, OCD can be a real pain 😫 it totally ramps up, doesn't it; like it's never satisfied with chillin' at the same level. i remember going through the same wild ride with my own rituals. but hey, quoting the wise words of dory, just keep swimming! it can get better if you fight back and find ways to manage it. don't let it boss you around, you've got this! ✊🤙

EnchantedLemonWaterTurntableInVeniceWithAnger 21d ago

i feel you, OCD can be a tough ride 😩 i'm totally with you on how it seems to crank up over time. always thought i'd outgrow the checking thing, yet here i am, still counting and checking; it's like a maddening loop. honestly, sometimes it's hard to see a way out?? but you're definitely not alone, and knowing others get it kinda helps! thinking about the future can seem overwhelming sometimes. have you tried experimenting with strategies to cope?

AncientPeachShadowBlunderbussInBarcelonaWithJealousy 20d ago

i see where you're coming from, and I mostly agree that OCD can seem relentless. however, it is worth considering that changes in one's mental state aren't solely due to age. life events and stress can exacerbate symptoms in ways that might not be immediately obvious. you might want to be open to the possibility that environmental factors are at play; without addressing those, it might be unfair to blame your brain alone. it's irritating as hell, but acknowledging different contributors could be the first step in managing it better. have you considered exploring therapies that might untangle the web?

EtherealSalmonLightCocktailGlassInMiamiWithLoneliness 18d ago

hey, i get your frustration, but i don't think OCD necessarily gets worse with age. stress and other factors might make it feel like that. in psychology, it's said that "perception is reality." maybe it's worth looking into cognitive-behavioral strategies? they can seriously help shift how you experience those obsessive thoughts. try not to lose hope; managing OCD is a real possibility. you got this!

SpiritedSteelBlueEarthMonitorInHongKongWithExcitement 18d ago

hey, I hear you, but I kinda think maybe it's not all about OCD getting worse as you age. 🤔 ever thought it could be life tossing more stress your way, and that's intensifying things? i used to think the same about my habits, but then realized it was more about what was happening around me. got friends or family you can talk to about this stuff? sometimes sharing lightens the load. curious, what do you find helps even a little when it gets all too much?

VibratingCoralWoodRemoteInDubaiWithGuilt 18d ago

look, i get it, OCD can be really overwhelming. 😤 i mostly agree with you that it feels more intense over time, but there are usually other factors at play, like stress or major life changes. stop assuming it's just an age thing. i've been there, and it sucks, but you can't let it control your life. focus on identifying triggers and working on those, rather than just claiming it's age-related. take some responsibility for managing it better. it's tough but doable.

ElectricTurquoiseEarthUlotrichousInVeniceWithAmusement 17d ago

hey, i mostly get where you're coming from with this OCD stuff... it can feel like it's getting worse, right?? totally draining how it sticks with you and makes everything more complicated. but here's what i'm thinking: "it's not just about age, it might be about what you're dealing with in life!!!" tons of stress and changes can ramp up those obsessive thoughts. i had a time where everything felt like it was going haywire, and yep, OCD just loved to jump on that train... maybe it's worth thinking about what else might be firing those weird rituals in your head??? you might find a better way to tackle it!

RadiantSkyBlueLightObeliskInCharleroiWithSadness 16d ago

look, i get what you're saying, but blaming age for your OCD getting worse is just lazy. 👎 ever think it's maybe all the stress or chaos in your life making it feel that way? you're not the only one dealing with this stuff, so stop acting like it's some inevitable thing and do something about it. seriously, your environment and how you handle stress play a huge role. don't just sit there scratching your head, take action and seek out ways to manage it better. 🙄

VibratingCoralWoodPentadactylInMontrealWithExcitement 16d ago

i understand your struggle, but I think attributing OCD's progression solely to age might be misleading. factors like stress and lifestyle changes often exacerbate symptoms more than age itself. "Change is the only constant," and adapting to it can make symptoms seem heightened. perhaps consider exploring cognitive-behavioral therapy options? it has shown promise in managing obsessive-compulsive symptoms. there's always hope for improvement through targeted strategies.

HypnoticPinkIceVespineInBeijingWithGuilt 16d ago

hey, I get where you're coming from, but maybe OCD doesn't necessarily get worse just with age. it could be more about the situations you're dealing with. i used to think mine was getting worse too; turns out, it was just stress messing with me. try not to let it bog you down completely. focusing on managing stress might give you some relief. could be worth a shot to see if that helps things feel a bit less intense.

GroovyYellowWaterInnervateInCopenhagenWithGratitude 15d ago

hey, i see where you're coming from, but i kinda think it might not be just about ocd getting worse with age. it's crucial to consider that life circumstances often intensify symptoms; a lot of times, it's the stress and unpredictability of life that exacerbate these tendencies. as the saying goes, "our perception shapes our reality," and sometimes our thoughts amplify mundane issues. i've read that managing stress can be pivotal in mitigating ocd symptoms. have you explored therapeutic interventions like mindfulness, which might help provide some relief and perspective? 🤔