Educate Yourself
How do people with OCD typically react to their disorder?
People with OCD generally attempt to hide their problem rather than seek help. Often they are remarkably successful in concealing their obsessive-compulsive symptoms from friends and co-workers. An unfortunate consequence of this secrecy is that people with OCD generally do not receive professional help until years after the onset of their disease. By that time, the obsessive-compulsive rituals may be deeply ingrained and very difficult to change.
How long does OCD last?
OCD will not go away by itself, so it is important to seek treatment. Although symptoms may become less severe from time to time, OCD is a chronic disease. Fortunately, effective treatments are available that make life with OCD much easier to manage.
Is age a factor in OCD?
OCD usually starts at an early age, often before adolescence. It may be mistaken at first for autism, pervasive developmental disorder or Tourette's syndrome, a disorder that may include obsessive doubting and compulsive touching as symptoms.
Like depression, OCD tends to worsen as the person grows older, if left untreated. Scientists hope, however, that when the OCD is treated while the person is still young, the symptoms will not get worse with time.