About OCD
OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) involves intrusive thoughts that cause distress and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals to reduce it. Cognitive-behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention is the first-line psychological treatment.
Psychologists assess and treat emotional, behavioural and relationship difficulties through psychological therapy. They do not prescribe medication. In many countries clinical practice requires a specific qualification and registration with a licensing body, which Therapy247 checks.
Getting mental health care in Uzbekistan
Public health system · State health system (Ministry of Health)
Mental health care is delivered mainly through state psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric dispensaries and outpatient clinics overseen by the Ministry of Health, concentrated in cities. A 2023 decree created a unified management system for psychiatric care and set out to integrate mental health into primary care using the WHO mhGAP programme. GPs can refer patients to a psychiatrist. More information
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Law No. 989 on Providing Psychological Assistance to the Population (standards approved by the Ministry of Health). Since February 2025 only people with a higher education degree in psychology may provide psychological services, and unqualified practice carries administrative penalties. Private practice requires a qualification certificate from the professional association; ask to see the psychologist's diploma and certificate.
Urgent help in Uzbekistan
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 103 · Ambulance
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, gazeta.uz, kun.uz, tashkenttimes.uz
Signs to look out for
Many people have occasional intrusive thoughts or like things a certain way. OCD may be involved when unwanted thoughts, images or urges cause intense distress, and you feel driven to perform rituals, such as checking, washing, counting, seeking reassurance or mentally neutralising, to reduce the anxiety. These rituals take a lot of time, feel hard to resist and interfere with daily life.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Cognitive-behavioural therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the psychological treatment with the strongest evidence for OCD. It involves gradually facing feared thoughts or situations without performing rituals, at a pace agreed with the therapist. Clinical psychologists and psychologists trained in ERP usually lead treatment. A psychiatrist can assess whether medication may help, particularly when symptoms are severe.
When to seek urgent help
Having an intrusive thought about harm does not mean you want to act on it; this is common in OCD. However, if you feel hopeless, have thoughts of ending your life, or rituals prevent you from eating, drinking or caring for yourself, contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. Sudden onset of OCD symptoms in a child should be checked by a doctor.
What you can do in the meantime
Learn from reliable sources how OCD works: trying to push thoughts away or seeking reassurance usually makes them stronger. Try to delay a ritual by a few minutes, or shorten it slightly, and notice that anxiety tends to fall on its own. Ask family members to support you without joining in rituals. Look after sleep and stress, which can intensify symptoms.
What does a psychologist do?
A psychologist spends most of the working day talking with people about what worries them and helping them change it. That includes assessing the difficulty, agreeing goals, and using structured psychological techniques in sessions with adults, teenagers, children, couples or families. Between sessions they prepare materials, write notes, and sometimes coordinate with doctors, schools or other professionals, always with your consent.
When to see a psychologist
It makes sense to see a psychologist when anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship problems, a loss or a difficult change start to affect your sleep, work or relationships, or when you simply want to understand yourself better. If symptoms are very severe, you may need medication, or there are signs of a medical cause, a psychiatrist or your doctor should be involved too.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
Does the public health system in Uzbekistan cover psychological care?
Mental health care is delivered mainly through state psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric dispensaries and outpatient clinics overseen by the Ministry of Health, concentrated in cities. A 2023 decree created a unified management system for psychiatric care and set out to integrate mental health into primary care using the WHO mhGAP programme. GPs can refer patients to a psychiatrist.
How do I check that a psychologist is licensed in Uzbekistan?
Law No. 989 on Providing Psychological Assistance to the Population (standards approved by the Ministry of Health): Since February 2025 only people with a higher education degree in psychology may provide psychological services, and unqualified practice carries administrative penalties. Private practice requires a qualification certificate from the professional association; ask to see the psychologist's diploma and certificate.