Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Barkha ChikaraChief Medical Officer, MD (Psychiatry) from NIMHANS · Last reviewed October 2026

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a medical condition in which unwanted thoughts keep returning (obsessions) and you feel driven to repeat actions or mental rituals (compulsions) to ease the distress. It takes up time and disrupts life. It is treatable with exposure and response prevention therapy.

About 1 in 10 adults in India lives with a mental disorder (National Mental Health Survey, 2015-16). You are not alone.

Care in the language you think in

At a glance

Common signs

Intrusive, unwanted thoughts
Repetitive behaviours or mental acts
Rituals to reduce anxiety
Excessive cleaning or checking

How it is usually treated

Exposure and Response Prevention
CBT
SSRIs
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Where to start

A free pre-consultation call, then a video assessment with a psychiatrist. In danger? Call 112, or Tele-MANAS on 14416.

Book your free pre-consultation call

Registered clinicians: psychiatrists with their State Medical Council, psychologists with the Rehabilitation Council of India.

Signs

Tick any that feel familiar. This is not a diagnosis, only a clinician can assess you.

Intrusive, unwanted thoughts
Repeated checking, cleaning, counting or arranging
Fear of contamination
Rituals to reduce anxiety
Spending an hour or more a day on them
Common themes include cleanliness, religious or blasphemous thoughts, fear of harming others and a need for symmetry

How people often describe it

“I cannot stop checking things again and again”
“I wash my hands too much”
“Unwanted thoughts keep coming and I cannot stop them”
“I have to do things a certain way or something bad will happen”

People who live with obsessive-compulsive disorder may also notice depression, generalised anxiety or tics. If any of these sound familiar, mention them to your clinician so your plan can cover them.

When to get help soon

Get help soon if OCD is taking over your day or you have thoughts of harming yourself. Call Tele-MANAS on 14416 or 112.

How it is diagnosed

A psychiatrist asks what the thoughts are, which rituals follow, how much time they take and what you avoid. Many people hide OCD for years out of shame, so say as much or as little as you like at first.

Treatment and support

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the main talk therapy: you face a feared thought or situation step by step without doing the ritual
CBT and acceptance and commitment therapy are also used
ERP can be delivered by video

How Mindly helps

Your first video consultation is with a psychiatrist, in your language, to understand your thoughts and rituals and agree a plan. All care is online, by video.

You can talk to a psychiatrist online, read what a first online consultation involves and see how pricing works before you book. Related reading: when to see a psychiatrist and common myths about psychiatric medicines.

This page is also available in 10 Indian languages: हिन्दी (Hindi), தமிழ் (Tamil), ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada), తెలుగు (Telugu), മലയാളം (Malayalam), मराठी (Marathi), বাংলা (Bengali), ଓଡ଼ିଆ (Odia), অসমীয়া (Assamese), ತುಳು (Tulu).

Your first appointment

A psychiatrist maps your thoughts, urges and rituals, how much time they take, and how they affect work, study and family life.

Who is involved

Care often combines medicine with exposure and response prevention (ERP), led by your psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist.

Between sessions

You track rituals between sessions, and your plan is reviewed as things change.

What to expect

Free pre-consultation callWe take your history and details, and match you with the right clinician.
First consultationA video call in your language, with a clinician who already has your report.
Your planYour clinician agrees a plan with you: therapy, medicine or both, as suits you.
Follow-up reviewsRegular check-ins, and your plan is adjusted as you recover.
Staying wellSupport to keep you well and catch early signs of a setback.

Every Mindly plan includes a second opinion from our Chief Medical Officer, a diagnosis-first approach and regular tracking of your recovery. How Mindly care works

Book your free pre-consultation call

Your privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.

Common questions

Is OCD curable?

OCD is treatable. With ERP, most people see a large drop in symptoms, and some reach remission. Results vary, so ask your psychiatrist what to expect.

What is ERP therapy?

ERP means gradually facing feared thoughts or situations (exposure) without doing the compulsion (response prevention). It is the best-supported talk therapy for OCD.

Are religious or harm thoughts a sign I am dangerous?

No. Unwanted thoughts of this kind are common in OCD, and people with OCD are distressed by them, not likely to act on them. A psychiatrist can help.

If you or someone near you is in danger, call 112. For free support at any hour, call Tele-MANAS on 14416. Mindly Health is not an emergency service.