Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is not about being neat or careful. It is a condition in which unwanted thoughts keep returning and repeated actions or mental rituals are needed to calm them. It often goes unrecognised for years because people feel ashamed or assume it is a habit. OCD is treatable, and early treatment gives better results. At Adarsh Brain Care 360, Ashiyana, Lucknow, Dr. Adarsh Tripathi sees patients during the day, and Dr. Aditya Agrawal, who has a special interest in OCD, sees patients in the evening.
How OCD shows up
- Washing hands or bathing again and again, fear of germs or contamination
- Checking locks, gas and switches repeatedly
- Unwanted thoughts about harm, religion or sex that cause distress
- Needing things arranged or counted in a particular way
- Mental rituals such as repeating a prayer or phrase until it feels right
- Hours lost each day, or avoiding situations because of the rituals
Treatment we offer
OCD usually responds best to a combination of two approaches. The first is medicine, mainly from the group known as SSRIs, which often need higher doses and more time than for depression, so regular follow-up matters. The second is exposure and response prevention (ERP), a form of behavioural therapy in which you learn to face triggers without performing the ritual. Our clinical psychologist Mr. Vinayak Katyayan works with the psychiatrist on this. For people who have not improved enough with standard treatment, neuromodulation such as tDCS can be discussed as an add-on after assessment.
Children and teenagers
OCD often begins in childhood or the teen years. Parents may notice long bathroom times, repeated questions or reassurance-seeking, or falling grades. Dr. Aditya Agrawal has completed a certificate course in child and adolescent psychiatry. Meet our doctors.
Ansal Nest, K1-61, near Aashiyana Thana, Sector K, Ashiyana, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226012
Dr. Adarsh Tripathi: Mon–Fri 10 am–5 pm, Sat–Sun 10 am–2 pm
Dr. Aditya Agrawal: Mon–Sat 4–8 pm
Psychiatrist consultation ₹800 · Online consultation ₹1,000 · Therapy session ₹1,200
Common questions
Is OCD just a habit I can stop with willpower?
No. Trying to push the thoughts away usually makes them stronger. Treatment teaches a different way of responding to them.
How long does treatment take?
Improvement is usually gradual over weeks to a few months. Medicine is often continued for a year or more to prevent relapse.
Will family members be involved?
Often yes. Families can unintentionally join the rituals or give constant reassurance, so we guide them on how to help without feeding the cycle.
If you are in crisis or thinking of harming yourself, call Tele-MANAS on 14416 or go to the nearest emergency department. We are an outpatient clinic and not an emergency service.