Can One's Personality Abruptly and Radically Change?

​Papabear,

Is it possible for someone to change so suddenly from being a nice, kind and gentle person to being a degenerate piece of shite? Could something like that happen to me? The thought scares me. I know I shouldn't think about it. But my OCD keeps shoving it into my face. I don't want to be a bad person. I don't want to hurt people. I care about my friends and family. I love them. I never want to hurt them. These thoughts are making me break down because I know these thoughts aren't me. I'm just so afraid.

Maxi

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Dear Maxi,

Obsessive-compulsive disorder will, indeed, make you obsess about things that upset you, by definition. Is it possible for someone's personality to change abruptly? Sure, but I see no reason why that would happen to you. People's personalities can change abruptly due to trauma or a medical condition. For example, a brain injury, stroke, or Alzheimer's can do this. Also, tragedy in one's life can change someone a lot (as I know from personal experience), such as the sudden loss of a spouse or child, suffering through combat in the military, or surviving a natural disaster.

But people usually don't change for no reason. You're not going to go walking down the street one day and suddenly turn into a douchebag.

I'm guessing your fear that you will suddenly hurt the people you love stems from your OCD. Therefore, the best solution for you is to work on your condition through therapy and/or medication. I certainly hope you are getting treatment, but, if you aren't, I would highly recommend you do.

In the meantime, I'm confident you will remain a sweet, caring person.

Bear Hugs,
Papabear​