Does ocd usually get worse without treatment or does it stay the same??

It can get worse. Idk if it’s proven that it definitely will, but it can. The more compulsions that are done the more OCD thrives. It fuels it

I didn’t think of that - the more compulsions, the more the themes. That’s what has happened to me. Appreciate your insight.

Depends what coping mechanisms you’ve already developed on your own. ERP and ACT are some of the best known ways to mitigate OCD. I eventually developed radical acceptance for what was then my most intense OCD fixation/rumination/intrusive thoughts (harm/existential). I no longer get hung up on that specific content. Aaaaaaand OCD spun off into a different theme. So yeah. It is episodic and comes and goes gets better and worse. But the longer you run those neural pathways of obsession and compulsion the stronger they get.

What is act?

@Anonymousg https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/expert-opinion-what-is-act/

Without treatment, OCD will continue to get worse. Trust me. I have had OCD since I was 8. I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. The older I got, the worse my symptoms became. So as soon as I was diagnosed I was so ready and motivated to start treatment.

Proud of you :)

@Anonymousg I got diagnosed at 45. I am not willing to let OCD steal anymore of my life from me.

@Lms526 I got correctly diagnosed at 45 too. Looking back I’ve had it since I was a child, and it progressively got worse. I hope you get the treatment you need.

@hopeful for hygge I am. I have already started learning ERP. My next session is tomorrow.