Medically reviewed by Dr. Yujal Man Singh, MD (Psychiatry) · Updated 20 September 2026
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a treatable condition. Unwanted thoughts keep coming back (obsessions), and you feel you must do something to calm them (compulsions), such as washing, checking or praying in a set way. Therapy called exposure and response prevention, often with a medicine, helps most people get much better.
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What OCD looks like
- Fear of dirt or germs, with long washing or bathing
- Checking locks, gas or switches again and again
- Upsetting thoughts about harming someone, or religious or sexual thoughts that feel wrong
- Needing things in exact order or “just right”
- Asking family for reassurance many times a day
Many people hide OCD for years because the thoughts feel shameful. Having these thoughts does not mean you want to act on them.
When to see a psychiatrist
See a psychiatrist if the thoughts or rituals take more than an hour a day, cause distress, or get in the way of work, study, sleep or family life. Family members often get pulled into rituals, so it helps to come together.
How OCD is treated
A large network meta-analysis in Lancet Psychiatry found that behavioural therapy, cognitive therapy and SSRI medicines all reduce OCD symptoms, and that combining therapy with medicine is likely to work best in severe OCD [1].
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP): you face the fear step by step without doing the ritual, until the anxiety fades on its own.
- TEAM-CBT: Dr. Yujal uses structured CBT with mood surveys every session so you can see progress.
- Medicines: SSRIs are the usual first choice. OCD often needs a higher dose and a longer trial than depression.
Seeing Dr. Yujal in Kathmandu or online
Dr. Yujal Man Singh is a psychiatrist at Mind Matters Nepal in Kuleshwor, Kathmandu. You can meet him in person or by video call from anywhere in Nepal or abroad. Sessions are in Nepali, English or Hindi. No referral is needed.
Filling in the Brief Mood Survey (BMS) form before and after each session is a must, so we can both see how you are doing.
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Common questions
Can OCD be cured?
Many people improve a lot with treatment and some become symptom free. OCD can return during stress, so you learn skills to manage it.
How long does OCD treatment take?
Most people notice change within 8 to 12 weeks of regular therapy or medicine. Medicines usually continue for at least a year after you feel better.
Can I get OCD treatment online from abroad?
Yes. ERP and CBT work well by video call. Dr. Yujal sees Nepalis in the Gulf, Asia, Europe, Australia and North America online.
In a crisis? This clinic does not provide emergency care. If you or someone near you may act on thoughts of suicide or is in danger, go to the nearest hospital emergency or call 1166 (Nepal suicide prevention helpline). Abroad, call your local emergency number.
Research behind this page
- Skapinakis P, et al. Pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions for management of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry 2016;3(8):730-739. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30069-4