OCD – When You Feel Compelled to Do the Same Thing Again and Again
Do you keep checking whether you locked the door before leaving, even though you're almost sure you did?
Do you wash your hands twenty times a day because you feel they are contaminated with germs?
If so, you may be experiencing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
What is OCD?
People with OCD experience recurring and unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses that repeatedly enter their minds. These are called obsessions.
Even though these thoughts feel like their own thoughts, they are distressing and difficult to control. A person may try to stop or ignore them but is usually unsuccessful.
To reduce the anxiety caused by these obsessions, people often feel compelled to perform certain actions repeatedly. These are called compulsions.
Examples include:
- Frequently washing hands
- Repeatedly checking whether doors are locked
- Counting numbers silently
- Repeating prayers or phrases in the mind
How do compulsions affect daily life?
Repeatedly performing these behaviors can cause significant distress and interfere with everyday activities.
Although carrying out the compulsion temporarily reduces anxiety, it does not provide genuine satisfaction or pleasure.
People with OCD are usually aware that these behaviors are excessive or irrational, yet they still find it extremely difficult to stop them.
Some compulsions are visible to others, such as repeated handwashing, while others are hidden mental activities like silently counting or repeating phrases.
In some cases, a person may experience only persistent obsessive thoughts without obvious compulsive behaviors.
Problems that OCD can cause
People with OCD may experience several difficulties:
- Impaired daily functioning
Spending excessive time on obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors can interfere with studies, work, and other important responsibilities. - Time consumption
Repetitive behaviors can occupy an unusually large portion of the day. - Depression
People living with OCD are also at an increased risk of developing depression.
What treatments are available?
OCD is a treatable condition, and many people improve significantly with appropriate care.
When you consult a doctor or mental health professional, they will first identify the nature of your obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Together, you will discuss your short-term and long-term treatment goals.
- Medication
Medications can help reduce the distress and anxiety associated with OCD symptoms.
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps people gradually change their behavioral patterns. One of the most effective approaches is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), where individuals learn to face anxiety-provoking situations without performing compulsive behaviors.
A combination of medication and CBT often produces the best results.
How can family and friends help?
People with OCD often seek reassurance from others to reduce their anxiety.
For example, instead of repeatedly checking whether the door is locked, they may repeatedly ask a family member if it is locked.
Although providing reassurance may offer temporary relief, it can reinforce OCD symptoms by preventing the person from learning to manage the anxiety independently.
For this reason, family members and friends should avoid repeatedly providing reassurance and instead encourage the person to follow their treatment plan.
How can someone with OCD help themselves?
Try to resist the urge to perform the compulsive behavior that follows an obsessive thought.
For example:
- If you feel the need to wash your hands repeatedly, try delaying or avoiding the extra washing.
- If you feel the urge to check whether the door is locked again, try resisting that urge.
Over time, it is important to recognize that the anxiety naturally decreases on its own, even without performing the compulsion. Learning this through repeated practice is a key part of overcoming OCD