Prognosis
In most cases, the persons affected do not succeed in taking action against their obsessive-compulsive disorder early enough. For this reason, obsessive-compulsive disorders very often develop chronically. At the beginning, the focus of the obsessive-compulsive disorder is usually only on one area, for example the existence of a compulsion to control.
Over time, however, the disease can spread to other areas. Other compulsions can be added and the pressure of suffering can increase. If no treatment is taken, the result can be withdrawal from one’s own social environment or retirement from professional life.
Some of those affected often think about suicide, as their obsessive-compulsive disorder is very distressing for them. In order to avoid such thoughts of helplessness, it is important to seek help early on. The sooner the person concerned goes into treatment, the better the chances are that they will be freed from their OCD.