Yes, people with OCD may find that their symptoms increase or decrease in severity from time to time. However, the symptoms do not typically go away entirely.

Stressful life events or situations may make OCD symptoms worse or more frequent. These stressful situations can vary between individuals but may include:

  • starting a new job
  • losing a job
  • moving to a new home or a new city
  • going through a breakup or divorce
  • entering a new relationship
  • becoming engaged or getting married
  • experiencing pregnancy and childbirth
  • experiencing the loss of a pregnancy

A person with OCD may find that their symptoms improve with treatment. Doctors typically recommend psychotherapy, medications, or a combination of both to treat OCD. However, they may recommend neuromodulation for people with severe OCD that has not responded to other treatments.

Types of psychotherapy a healthcare professional may recommend include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP). They may also recommend medications like antidepressants.

Neuromodulation options for those with severe OCD may include repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or deep brain stimulation (DBS).

People may want to consider speaking with a doctor if their OCD symptoms worsen or become more frequent. A healthcare professional can help work out which treatments may work best for someone and offer advice for managing the condition.