What happens if you ignore OCD compulsions?

It can easily become a form of compulsive avoidance, a refusal to acknowledge that the thought occurred in the first place and a refusal to experience feelings as they are. Active “ignoring” can trigger an additional sense of being in denial (and thus more anxiety).

What happens if you leave OCD untreated?

Left untreated, OCD can lead to other severe mental health conditions, such as anxiety and panic attacks, and depression. Untreated mental health conditions are also a significant source of drug and alcohol addiction. People will often turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with the distress of an untreated mental disorder.

Do you need to have compulsions to have OCD?

In these rare cases, either the individual does not have OCD (OCD needs to include both obsessions and compulsions for a diagnosis) or most likely they did have an obsessive fear/worry originally, but it has been forgotten over time.

Can people with OCD stop compulsions?

Again and again, people with OCD have proven that they can improve their lives dramatically by actively following through on their decision to give up their obsessions and compulsions. You too can join them by searching inside for strength and determination. There’s no need for you to tackle your problem alone.

Does OCD isolate?

One study found that people with OCD lost an average of 46 workdays per year due to their symptoms. Often, symptoms of OCD result in social isolation, where a person cuts themselves off from the world and the people in their life. This can lead to severe depression or other mental health conditions.

How does OCD affect the brain?

Unfortunately, obsessive-compulsive disorder diminishes the amount of grey matter in the brain, making people with OCD less able to control their impulses. Low levels of grey matter can also change the way you process information, making you more likely to obsess over “bad thoughts” whether you intend to or not.

What is the purpose of compulsions?

Objectives: The key function of compulsions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is to alleviate anxiety or distress caused by the obsessions, but compulsions may also have other functions.

Do compulsions reinforce obsessions?

Research shows that performing compulsions actually makes obsessions come back stronger. The compulsions may give you temporary relief, but in the long run, they actually reinforce the obsessive thoughts.