In everyday conversation, the term “OCD” is often used casually, applied to anyone who likes things clean, organised, or done a certain way. Mental health professionals, however, warn that this casual labelling
not only misunderstands the condition but can also mask when ordinary habits genuinely begin to turn into something more serious.
According to Dr Gaurav Aggarwal, Consultant Psychiatrist, Kailash Hospital, many people who are described as “having OCD” actually display traits of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), which is a personality style rather than a psychiatric disorder. “A person with OCPD may say, ‘I like things clean and perfect. This feels natural to me,’” he explains. These behaviours are ego-syntonic, they feel right, comfortable, and aligned with the person’s sense of self, and they are not experienced as distressing.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), on the other hand, operates very differently. Dr. Aggarwal notes that OCD is marked by intrusive, unwanted thoughts related to cleanliness, checking, symmetry, or fear of harm. These thoughts cause significant anxiety, and the individual feels compelled to perform certain actions not because they want to, but because they feel driven to reduce distress. When the behaviour is resisted, anxiety intensifies rather than subsides.
Expanding on this distinction, Dr Megha Agarwal, Consultant Psychiatrist, Kailash Deepak Hospital, explains that a healthy desire for hygiene or order is usually purposeful, controlled, and flexible. Problems arise when thoughts about contamination, doubt, or perfection become repetitive, intrusive, and uncontrollable. “These thoughts trigger fear, anxiety, or disgust,” she says, often followed by compulsive behaviours such as excessive washing, repeated checking, or rigid arranging.
While compulsive acts may bring short-term relief, Dr Megha Agarwal emphasises that this relief is fleeting. The anxiety soon returns, reinforcing the behaviour and strengthening the cycle. Over time, this pattern can significantly disrupt work, relationships, and overall quality of life. Clinically, OCD is diagnosed when obsessions and compulsions are time-consuming typically more than an hour a day cause marked distress, and interfere with daily functioning.
Common obsessions include fears of contamination or illness, worries about things not being perfectly aligned, or persistent doubts about routine activities such as locking doors or switching off appliances. In response, individuals may repeatedly clean, check, or reorder until things feel “just right.” The key difference from normal behaviour, she explains, lies in control: normal cleaning is voluntary and flexible, whereas OCD-driven behaviour feels uncontrollable and anxiety-driven.
The transition from habit to disorder is often gradual. Dr Naveen Kumar Dhagudu, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Yashoda Hospitals, points out that early warning signs include excessive time spent on routines, loss of flexibility, and an inability to stop even when the behaviour is clearly unreasonable. “What begins as being neat slowly becomes a feeling of being driven,” he says. Another red flag is emotional relief that doesn’t last, anxiety eases briefly after a ritual, only to return stronger.
Perfectionism plays a particularly powerful role. Dr. Dhagudu explains that when the focus shifts from satisfaction to fear, thoughts like “this is the only right way” or “something bad will happen if I don’t do this” checking once no longer feels enough. Actions must be repeated multiple times to feel safe. OCD becomes especially concerning when it leads to missed work, strained relationships, skin damage from excessive washing, or intense distress when rituals are interrupted.
From a therapeutic perspective, Shyam Gupta, Founder, Emotion Of Life, highlights that OCD is fundamentally driven by fear and intrusive thoughts rather than conscious choice. “Over time, people may find themselves endlessly washing or rechecking not because they need to, but because they feel compelled to,” he explains. What starts as normal caution or orderliness slowly escalates into rigid rituals aimed solely at relieving anxiety.
Mental health experts agree on one critical point: OCD is a treatable condition. However, shame and embarrassment often cause individuals to hide symptoms, delaying professional help for years. Early diagnosis and timely intervention typically involving therapy and, in some cases, medication can significantly improve outcomes and help individuals regain control over their lives.
Understanding the difference between personality traits, healthy habits, and anxiety-driven compulsions is essential. While cleanliness and order can be positive, when fear replaces choice and routines begin to dominate daily life, it may be time to seek professional support rather than dismiss the signs as “just being particular.”
