Trapped in Repeating things Again n Again: The Science Behind Obsessive Thoughts

 Discover the real science behind obsessive thoughts, why your brain depends on habit, and how healing starts when you finally let go of control.

Trapped in Repeating Things Again and Again: The Science Behind Obsessive Thoughts
Discover the real science behind obsessive thoughts, why your brain depends on habit…“It started with washing my hands… once. Then twice. Then again, until my skin burned, but my mind still whispered, ‘Just one more time.’ It's happened to me in Corona Times. If you’ve ever felt trapped in a thought you couldn’t turn off, you’re not alone.” Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder isn’t just about being clean or organized; it’s about fear and obsession. Learn how therapy, supplements like inositol, and exposure practices retrain your brain and bring peace.

What OCD Really Is

Many people say, “I’m so OCD,” when they try to keep things neat and clean. However, real Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is much more than just being tidy. Due to OCD, you feel stuck in a cycle of unwanted thoughts that you can't stop. These unwanted thoughts are called obsessions. To make them go away, you might take strong steps, actions, or mental rituals, known as compulsions.

As your brain says,            “What if my hands have germs?” 

What if you feel like gas is escaping at night while sleeping?

So you wash them not once, but over and over, until it “feels right.” You keep getting up again and again at night to close the gas valve. For a moment, you feel relief. But soon, the obsession returns… stronger than before. And the cycle tightens its grip.

This isn’t about being too organized. It’s about fear, doubt, and the urgent need for certainty..

 The Fear Loop: How Obsession Keeps You Stuck

Imagine riding a shiny new bike with training wheels. They keep you from falling, and they feel

safe. But those same wheels also stop you from learning to balance on your own.

That’s exactly how compulsions work.
They give short-term relief… but they train your brain to believe you are only safe if you keep doing them.

When we avoid our fears or believe that we feel better, our brain learns:? Fear takes the driver’s seat, and you keep pedaling in circles.

But when you face your fears without giving in to compulsions, something powerful happens:
Your brain slowly learns, “Wait… nothing bad actually happened.”
That’s where real healing begins.

 How to Treat OCD through ERP Exposure & Response Prevention

The gold-standard therapy for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). It’s not about “forcing yourself to stop”, it’s about retraining your brain.

ERP has two core steps:

1. Resist Habits, Gradually stop the compulsions (like checking locks, closing Fire stoves, washing repeatedly,

   
   
   or seeking reassurance).

2. Face your fears intentionally. Touch the doorknob. Leave something “imperfect.” Feel the discomfort, but resist the urge to fix it.

At first, it feels scary, like riding that bike without training wheels. You might vibrate. You might “fall.” But each time, your brain learns:

"I can handle this."

Over time, fear loses its power, and confidence takes its place.

It all started with washing my hands. I washed them once. Then twice. Again and again, until my skin burned, but my mind still said, “Just one more time.” If you feel stuck in a loop you can’t escape, you are not alone. Millions of people face obsessive thoughts every day. Here’s the catch: the more you try to control these thoughts, the more your brain holds on to the same pattern. Let’s explore the science behind this cycle and how true healing starts when you stop trying to control everything.