OCD is no different from just about any other kind of disorder, in that stress just makes it worse. You almost certainly have seen this for yourself already. Obviously, the two most important things you can do for yourself, then, are to keep your general stress level down and, at the same time, work on treating your OCD. Keep in mind that both of these things require effort, and that neither will ever be “finished,” in all likelihood.

Just as you couldn't do yoga or floor exercises or swimming practice for a few months and expect that you were now in shape and would stay that way for the rest of your life, neither can you reduce stress or get OCD under control just once for all time.

You have to work at it, and you have to keep it up.

Maintain the Gains

While it may be possible for you to reduce or even stop taking your medication (however, you should not do this without discussing it with your doctor), keeping stress and OC symptoms at bay should be things you work at all the time.

The good news is that, as you work on the stress, the OCD should follow. The two, more often than not, go hand in hand. By minimizing stress through exercise, good nutrition, adequate rest, wholesome and enjoyable activities, as strong an emotional support system as you can put together, and perhaps a calm-inducing discipline such as yoga or meditation, you will most likely put stress on the run. Of course, you will need to keep up your OCD treatment as well, just maybe not as much over time.

“Remission” and Setbacks

Unfortunately, it is likely, or at least possible, that your OC symptoms will return from time to time. That's okay, especially if you know to expect it. If you try not to let it bother you too much, get some additional help and support if you need them, put your cognitive skills into play, and let Mr. OCD know that you were expecting him and that you no longer care to stay friends, you should be able to weather the storm. If you need to see your therapist or doctor again, that's okay, too. Remember, OCD is a disorder of the brain. It really is a neurobiological condition. It's not your fault. You can't control the fact that you have it, but you definitely can control the way you choose to deal with it.

If you had, heaven forbid, a relapse of the cancer that had responded successfully once to radiation and chemotherapy, you wouldn't hesitate to go right back to your doctor. You wouldn't think, I seemed to make so much progress; he's going to be disappointed. Your doctor might indeed feel some disappointment, and so might you, that your OC symptoms had returned or worsened, but having OCD or continuing to have OCD, is not your fault. (And, anyway, if the doctor feels disappointed, that's his problem.) To paraphrase Alcoholics Anonymous's famous serenity prayer: Control what you can and let go of the rest.

Do not allow OCD to run roughshod over you. Don't let up on your vigilance against it. You will almost certainly want to “take it easy” now and then, give in to your hand-washing compulsion or your need for perfection. But it will be much, much better if you don't.

Don't Be Remiss in Your Remission

You've read about potential setbacks. Now, consider the other side of the coin: remission. Sometimes, for whatever reason, your symptoms may get markedly better. This can last for a day or for many years. If you have not done CBT or used medication for your OCD, chances are it will eventually come back.

In any case, we advise you to maximize your remissions whether they happen early in the game or after you've completed a long course of treatment.

For example: If you find yourself entertaining the idea of trying something new, something that your rational mind tells you will not hurt you, but you feel that moment of anxious hesitation — that “I shouldn't, I guess” — allow yourself the pleasure of that wholesome activity. Tell Mr. OCD, “Thank you for sharing.” Then tell him to scram.