Some thoughts are just hard to shake off. You know they’re not logical, yet they keep showing up. It could be the same worry playing in your mind again and again. Or that odd urge to recheck something you already know is fine.
Now and then, we all go through it. But when these moments keep returning and start interfering with how you live, that’s when things get complicated.
In many Indian homes, mental struggles are often masked. Someone might say, “You’re just overthinking” or “Snap out of it.” But it’s not that simple, is it? When the mind won’t let you rest, casual advice doesn’t help. If you’ve felt this way, this isn’t something to dismiss. You’re not the only one. And no, you’re not weak.
Let’s talk about what’s really going on when anxiety, OCD, and repetitive behaviours show up together.
What Anxiety Really Feels Like
It doesn’t always come as panic. Often, it’s subtle. Just a sense that something isn’t right. You might not even be able to explain it to others. But it’s there. Sitting at the back of your mind, making you uneasy.
How anxiety often creeps in:
- You’re constantly worrying – sometimes about nothing in particular
- The same thought keeps looping in your mind
- Sleep feels difficult. Even when you’re exhausted
- You avoid phone calls, tasks, even outings, just to feel some peace
- Your body feels tense, like it’s always preparing for something bad
Let’s take a common situation. You send someone a message. They see it, but don’t reply for hours. A friend might brush it off, but you can’t. You start questioning – “Did I say something wrong?”, “Are they angry?” – and suddenly, you’re re-reading what you sent five times.
This is more than just worry. It’s anxiety. And it shows up in ways that are easy to miss but hard to live with.
Understanding OCD: Not What Pop Culture Shows
OCD is often mistaken for being neat or organised. But it’s not about liking things clean. It’s about fear. It’s about doing something repeatedly because not doing it makes you feel unsafe or guilty.
It usually has two sides:
- Obsessions: Thoughts that intrude – scary, repetitive, or unwanted
- Compulsions: Actions or rituals that feel necessary to quiet the thoughts
And these behaviours aren’t always visible. They don’t have to be about washing hands or checking locks. Sometimes, it’s all happening inside your head.
Some signs:
- Repeating words in your mind for comfort
- Mentally checking if you offended someone
- Counting silently to prevent “something bad”
- Seeking constant reassurance
A college student might check their assignment submission five times – not because they forgot, but because the fear of failure won’t ease until they do.
Repetitive Behaviours: When They Become Coping Tools
Repetition isn’t always a sign of distress. But when it starts to take over (when it becomes a way to manage fear), that’s where the concern lies.
For example, cleaning your kitchen because it’s dirty is one thing. But if you feel compelled to clean again and again because something feels “off”, that’s different.
You might need to pause and reflect if:
- You can’t stop the behaviour even though you want to
- You feel nervous if you don’t do it
- It takes up more time than it should
- It disrupts your day or stops you from doing other things
Someone might wash their hands repeatedly after a normal activity, not because they’re dirty, but because the thought of germs triggers a flood of anxiety. That’s not about hygiene. It’s about relief.
How These Three Are Linked
It often starts with anxiety. A thought pops up and creates discomfort. The mind starts spinning stories. Then, to calm the chaos, you do something – maybe check, repeat, clean, or ask. The relief is short-lived. But the brain remembers – “This helped last time.” So the next time the discomfort returns, the behaviour follows.
It becomes a cycle.
| It starts with… | Leads to… | You do something to… |
| A fear or an unwanted thought | Anxiety or discomfort | Feel better or gain control |
But that “something” (the checking, counting, or repeating), only soothes for a while. And soon, the cycle starts again.
In Real Contexts: What It Looks Like
Case 1: The Reluctant Checker
Ravi, working in IT in Hyderabad, can’t leave his desk without rechecking an email draft at least ten times. He knows it’s fine. But his hands hover. He keeps rereading. It’s not about perfection. It’s fear – “What if I missed something?”
Case 2: The Quiet Avoider
Riya, a homemaker in Indore, avoids touching cupboard handles. She uses her elbow or a cloth every time. She’s not even sure why. But the idea of contamination plays on repeat. It’s easier to avoid than deal with the discomfort.
What Makes It Hard to Recognise
In India, mental health is still talked about in whispers. You might hear “this is just your nature” or “don’t talk like that in front of others.” So many people keep things hidden – sometimes even from themselves.
Even rituals can confuse things. In deeply religious households, repetitive acts might be spiritual or might be compulsive. It’s not always easy to tell, even for the person doing it.
But if the action brings peace, that’s different from doing it because not doing it brings fear.
When Should You Seek Help?
You don’t have to wait until it gets “bad.” If something feels off, it’s worth checking in.
Ask yourself:
- Are my thoughts or routines affecting my sleep, work, or relationships?
- Do I feel trapped by certain behaviours?
- Do I feel anxious most days, without a clear reason?
- Have I tried stopping certain habits but couldn’t?
If the answer to even one of these is yes, reaching out is a good next step.
What Can You Try First?
Before anything else, be kind to yourself. Seriously. Don’t fight the thought. Don’t shame the behaviour. Start by noticing.
A few practical steps:
- Pause before acting: Feel the urge? Try to wait 30 seconds. Then 60. Extend the pause gradually.
- Note the triggers: Keep a journal. When did the behaviour start? What were you thinking or feeling just before?
- Speak it out: Talk to someone. Even saying it aloud can reduce its weight.
- Distract without avoidance: Engage your senses – water on your hands, a cold object, music. Bring yourself back to the present.
These aren’t cures. But they help build awareness, and that’s powerful.
Getting Professional Support in India
You don’t need to be at “rock bottom” to talk to a mental health professional. You can go simply because your mind feels heavy. You’re allowed that.
At Sukoon Health, experienced therapists and doctors focused on anxiety and depression are making support more accessible than ever. Alongside online platforms and college counselors, many resources exist to help you navigate anxiety.
And no, therapy isn’t just about “solving problems.” It’s about understanding patterns. Learning tools. Feeling heard.
A trained therapist won’t just say, “Do this.” They’ll help you notice what’s going on and guide you in managing it in ways that work for you.
How to Support Someone Going Through This
It’s not always obvious from the outside. Someone could look completely fine but be fighting a mental loop silently.
What you can do:
- Don’t joke about their behaviours
- Don’t force them to “get over it”
- Do listen, even if you don’t fully understand
- Do encourage them to seek help, gently
- Just be there – consistently and patiently
Sometimes, knowing someone won’t walk away is more comforting than anything else.
Final Takeaway
Anxiety, OCD, and repetitive actions aren’t about being broken. They’re your mind’s way of trying to protect you, even if it’s overreacting. And the truth is, many people are going through something similar. Silently. On buses, in offices, at family functions.
If you see yourself in this, don’t ignore it. You don’t have to accept every thought your brain throws at you. And you don’t need to go through it without support.
Even one step counts. Start with that.