Can OCD tendencies naturally decrease with 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 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 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.