OCD - is it something you can grow out of? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

kimb0091 · 06-25-2006, 11:02 PM

Hi all - new to this board. Just had a quick question. When I was younger I used to do a lot of weird, repetitive stuff. I would turn the lights/water/etc on and off a certain number of times, would always count to a certain number while I was doing things, and I remember always running up to our chiming clock and doing some weird pattern thing every time it rang on the hour. It's hard to explain, but I would tap my fingers all around it in a certin pattern. It sounds so wierd now, but I do remember doing that for a long time. I eventually stopped doing those things - not sure why, and when I was taking a psychology class in college I asked if people can ever grow out of OCD, and I was told no. Maybe I didn't have it, but it sure seems like it looking back at it now. I also used to have to make lists for everything, even up to a few years ago. It didn't interfere with my life at all - probably helped if anything, but since I started taking zoloft for depression, I don't really feel the need for lists anymore. Anyways, I'm not sure where I was going with that, but I guess I'm just wondering if anyone knows if OCD is something you can grow out of? Thanks!

steveo23 · 06-26-2006, 04:34 AM

Kim

OCD is a very unpredictable illness, nobody quite knows how it works and what causes it for sure. It is one of the great modern mystery illnesses in every sense, and is unique in every case (simply because people are unique). I would say its definately possible that OCD is something you can grow out of. I have heard other stories of childhood OCD from people, yet it does not bother them now that they are older. It might be because you had a rather mild form of OCD brought on by some childhood anxiety that no longer bothers you. But it does sound like you had OCD back then. You may have been told that it isnt outgrowable by the shrink class because for the great majority of people it is usually chronic and long term once it begins (unfortunately). Its good that OCD has never interferred much in your life... some people can find it quite beneficial!

Zoloft is an SSRI, and as well as being effective in treating depression it is one of the newer anti anxiety OCD meds, so that may be why you no longer feel the need for list making.

Steve

GatsbyLuvr1920 · 06-26-2006, 11:50 AM

Yes, OCD is a disease that often waxes and wanes throughout the course of a person's life. Some people with a more mild case such as yourself may be cured of symptoms for longer intervals of time than most. You're lucky that the Zoloft has completely eliminated your symptoms; for most, it only diminishes them to help increase functioning. The only people that actually grow out of OCD are kids who have routines or superstitions or other OCD traits, but never actually develop full-blown OCD. In these cases, yes, they may grow out of it.
-GatsbyLuvr1920-