Why Do People With OCD Wait So Long To Get Help?

If you’ve ever wondered why some people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) don’t get treatment straight away, you’re not alone. Recent research has shown that, on average, people with OCD wait nearly 7 years before seeking professional help. This delay — called Duration of Untreated Illness (DUI) — can have a big impact on how severe the disorder becomes and how well people respond to treatment.

Let’s break down why this happens, and why early intervention is so important.

What Is Duration of Untreated Illness (DUI) in OCD?

Duration of Untreated Illness refers to the time between when a person first starts experiencing OCD symptoms and when they actually receive proper treatment (like medication or therapy).

A recent review combining data from nearly 6,000 OCD patients worldwide found the following:

• Average age when someon gets OCD: ~22 years old

• Average age when person seeks help: ~29 years old

• Average delay (DUI): ~6.7 years

In other words, people struggle with OCD symptoms for many years before reaching out for professional help.

Why Do People Delay Getting Help?

Several reasons contribute to the long wait:

1. Shame and Stigma:OCD often involves taboo or distressing thoughts (e.g., violent, sexual, or religious obsessions). Many people are embarrassed or afraid they’ll be judged if they talk about them.

2. Misunderstanding OCD:OCD is frequently misdiagnosed or mistaken for something else (like anxiety or personality quirks). Some people don’t even realize they have OCD.

3. Fear of Treatment:Therapy (especially Exposure and Response Prevention) involves facing fears without performing compulsions. This can sound scary at first.

4. Habit Formation:Over time, compulsive behaviors become automatic habits, making them harder to break the longer they go untreated.

The Impact of Delayed Treatment

The longer OCD is left untreated, the more entrenched it becomes. Research shows:

• Longer DUI is linked to worse treatment outcomes.

• OCD symptoms can become more severe and resistant to treatment.

• People are more likely to develop additional mental health issues, like depression or suicidal thoughts.

Specific OCD Symptoms That Delay Help

Interestingly, certain types of OCD symptoms are more likely to cause people to avoid seeking help:

• Sexual and aggressive obsessions:People fear these thoughts say something terrible about them, making them hesitant to open up.

• Contamination obsessions:Fear of germs may lead people to avoid clinics or doctors altogether.

• Somatic obsessions (health concerns):They may feel stuck in endless self-monitoring, avoiding medical advice for fear of bad news.

How Can We Reduce DUI in OCD?

Here are a few ways to help people get treatment sooner:

1. Public Education:Breaking myths about OCD and making it clear that everyone has weird, unwanted thoughts at times.

2. Reducing Stigma:Especially around taboo OCD themes, so people feel safe sharing their experiences.

3. Training Health Professionals:Teaching doctors and psychologists how to spot OCD early and prescribe the right treatments (CBT with Exposure and Response Prevention and/or medications like SSRIs).

4. Accessible Treatment:Expanding digital options (like telehealth and apps) to make therapy easier to access.

Final Thoughts

If you or someone you know struggles with OCD, know that getting help early matters. You don’t have to wait years — effective, evidence-based treatments are available. And remember, intrusive thoughts don’t define you. Reaching out sooner rather than later can help prevent unnecessary suffering and lead to a better, fuller life.

Sources

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032725004380#bb0075