• Published on: May 26, 2022
  • 3 minute read
  • By: Second Medic Expert

Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce anxiety, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety, or by a combination of both. These thoughts and behaviors can be classified into four categories: cleaning/washing, checking, counting, and symmetry. People with OCD often feel ashamed and embarrassed about their condition and may keep it secret. They may worry that others will think they are crazy or dirty. But OCD is actually a very common disorder. About 1 in 40 adults has OCD. It can occur at any age but often starts during adolescence or early adulthood.

OCD can manifest in many different ways. For some people, OCD might be characterized by obsessive thoughts that drive them to compulsively perform certain actions or rituals. For others, the compulsions might not be as overt, and may instead involve more subtle behaviors or rituals that are difficult to notice or understand. The important thing to remember is that OCD is a real and serious disorder that can cause a great deal of distress for those who suffer from it. If you think you might have OCD, please seek professional help. There is hope for recovery and there are treatments available that can help you manage your symptoms.

OCD can be treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of the two.  OCD is a mental disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce anxiety, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the anxiety, or by a combination of both. People with OCD may have difficulty controlling their thoughts and feelings. They may worry excessively about cleanliness, germs, or harm to themselves or others. They may have persistent doubts and fears about things like whether they turned off the stove or locked the door. And they may engage in rituals like hand-washing, checking locks, or counting items to try to reduce their anxiety.

OCD can be very disabling and can prevent people from carrying out even the most basic everyday tasks. But with treatment, many people with OCD can learn to manage their symptoms and lead productive lives. OCD is a mental disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce anxiety (obsessions), repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the anxiety (compulsions), or both. Obsessions are thoughts, images, or urges that repeatedly invade a person's mind, even when they don't want them to. These thoughts may produce anxiety, disgust, doubt, fear, or guilt. People with OCD often know their obsessions aren't reasonable, but they can't stop them from occurring.

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or rituals that a person with OCD feels driven to perform in order to reduce the anxiety caused by their obsessions. OCD is a mental disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, or images that make them feel stressed or anxious. They may also perform specific actions or rituals over and over again to try to relieve the anxiety. OCD can be very disabling. People with OCD may spend hours each day performing rituals or checking things excessively. The thoughts and images that occur in OCD are called obsessions, and the rituals are called compulsions. Some people with OCD know that their thoughts and behaviours don't make sense, but they can't stop themselves from carrying out the rituals anyway.

People with OCD often have intrusive thoughts about dirt, germs, or harm. As a result, they may develop compulsive behaviors such as hand-washing, cleaning, or checking to make sure things are done in a certain way. OCD can be very disabling and can interfere with work, school, and relationships. There is no cure for OCD, but treatment can help control symptoms. Treatment options include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medications, and exposure and response prevention (ERP).

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating OCD, but cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been found to be one of the most effective treatments. CBT helps people understand and change their thoughts and behaviours, thereby reducing their symptoms. Other types of therapy may also be useful for people with OCD, such as exposure therapy or mindfulness-based therapies.

People with OCD may have difficulties with normal daily activities because of the time and energy they spend on their obsessions and compulsions. OCD can be a very disabling condition, but it is treatable. There are a number of effective treatments for OCD, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication, and self-help strategies. With treatment, many people with OCD can learn to manage their symptoms and lead healthy, productive lives. People with OCD may have frequent thoughts about germs, dirt, or harm. They may spend a lot of time washing their hands, cleaning, or checking things. They may also have rituals such as counting or touching things in a specific way.

Treatment usually includes counseling and sometimes medications. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that causes people to have intrusive, upsetting thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive, behaviors or rituals (compulsions) that they feel they can't control. For example, someone with OCD may obsessively worry about germs and cleanliness, leading them to wash their hands over and over again. Or they may have the compulsion to organize things in a very specific way, such as arranging all of their books in alphabetical order. OCD can be extremely frustrating and disabling for the people who have it. However, there are treatments available that can help people manage their symptoms.

Read Blog
Mental Health in India: Breaking the Silence

Mental Health in India: Breaking the Silence

Mental health has long been a neglected aspect of healthcare in India. While conversations around diabetes, cancer, or heart disease are open, discussions about depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder often happen in whispers, if at all. This silence is costly.

According to a 2017 Lancet Psychiatry study, nearly 197 million Indians suffer from mental health disorders. That’s one in every seven people. Yet, less than 30% receive professional treatment, leaving millions untreated or undertreated.

The Barriers We Face

The challenges are both cultural and structural.

  • Stigma & Myths – Many still view mental illness as a weakness or something to be hidden.

  • Shortage of Professionals – India has fewer than 1 psychiatrist for every 100,000 people, far below WHO recommendations.

  • Infrastructure Gaps – Mental health services are concentrated in metro cities, leaving rural India underserved.

  • Affordability – Private therapy can be expensive, while government facilities remain limited.

Progress and Initiatives

Despite hurdles, progress is visible.

  • The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) works to integrate mental health into primary healthcare.

  • In 2022, the government launched Tele-MANAS, a national tele-mental health helpline, making counseling more accessible.

  • Non-profits and awareness campaigns like #It’sOkayToTalk and Mental Health India Alliance are helping reduce stigma.

  • Schools and workplaces are beginning to include counseling and stress-management workshops.

The Digital Shift

The pandemic was a turning point. Lockdowns, isolation, and job losses worsened mental health issues—but they also accelerated the use of digital platforms. Today, many Indians are turning to online therapy and telepsychiatry for confidential, stigma-free support.

Platforms like SecondMedic integrate mental health with overall care, offering:

  • Tele-counseling with psychologists and psychiatrists

  • Diagnostics & lab tests to rule out underlying causes like thyroid or vitamin deficiencies

  • Medicine delivery for long-term management

  • Second opinions from specialists when needed

This model ensures patients don’t just talk about symptoms but get holistic, medical + psychological care.

Conclusion

Mental health in India is at a crossroads. On one side are stigma, silence, and lack of resources. On the other side are rising awareness, digital health solutions, and government support. Bridging the gap requires collective effort—individuals opening up, families supporting without judgment, policies scaling access, and platforms like SecondMedic offering integrated care.

Mental health is health. And the sooner India treats it that way, the stronger our communities will be.

Book a confidential mental health consultation with SecondMedic today ? https://www.secondmedic.com

Numbers and Platforms That Matter

  • 197 million Indians live with mental disorders (Lancet Psychiatry, 2017).

  • The treatment gap is more than 70% in India.

  • Tele-MANAS Helpline launched in 2022 offers free counseling nationwide (mohfw.gov.in).

  • National Mental Health Survey (2016, NIMHANS) provides prevalence data across states (nimhans.ac.in).

  • NITI Aayog Health Reports highlight workforce shortages and mental health burden (niti.gov.in).

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