In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it is not uncommon to feel the need to double-check whether we have locked our car, even if we are sure we did so a few moments before. Such behavior, which may seem illogical, is actually based on sound psychological principles. Find out what the experts in psychology think.
What do the psychology experts think?
The experts in psychology say that these repeated actions are often related to anxiety and a need for security. In situations of stress or distraction, our minds can generate persistent doubts.
This phenomenon does not necessarily mean that there is a disorder. But in some cases, it can be a sign of conditions such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It is generally characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions.
Cognitive psychology tells us that these behaviors result from a failure of working memory. This is the memory that manages short-term information retention.
When we are distracted or under pressure, our ability to remember recent actions can be compromised. This leads us to doubt ourselves.
In addition, traits such as perfectionism, control freakery, or a meticulous personality can accentuate this tendency.
A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that approximately 2% of the world’s population exhibits symptoms of OCD. However, not all cases require a clinical diagnosis.
On the other hand, research by psychology experts at the University of Cambridge shows that this excessive checking behavior is more common in urban environments, environments where the pace of life is more intense and cognitive demands are greater.
Why do you feel the need to check several times whether you have locked your car properly?
All psychological experts agree that anxiety plays a decisive role in this behavior. When a person experiences anxiety or fear, for example, because of the fear of theft, their brain activates defense mechanisms that encourage them to seek certainty through repetition. This then generates a vicious circle: the more they question themselves (“Did I lock my car properly?”), the more the doubt intensifies and becomes burdensome.
A report by the American Psychological Association (APA) emphasizes that safety anxiety is a widely explored topic in clinical psychology.
The human brain is designed to prioritize threat detection. An evolutionary trait that has been essential to our survival. However, in the modern context, this mechanism can become dysfunctional. Especially in individuals with a tendency to hypervigilance or control freak.
Moreover, anxiety does not just lead to behaviours of verification. In fact, according to psychological experts, it can also distort our perception of reality. A study published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders revealed that people with high levels of anxiety tend to underestimate their ability to remember their daily actions. This then leads them to compensate by checking excessively. This is how we end up checking several times whether we have locked our car.
Psychology: Distinguishing between habit and disorder
Not all checking behavior is necessarily pathological. In fact, many of us engage in this type of behavior occasionally without it having any significant consequences.
However, when these actions start to disrupt daily life or take up a considerable amount of time, they may signal a more serious problem. As the WHO states, OCD exists when repetitive behaviors take up more than an hour a day and cause significant distress.
It is essential to differentiate an annoying habit from a clinical disorder (such as checking that the car is locked). For example, making sure you have locked your car once is perfectly normal. However, doing it ten times before leaving or even on the way home may reveal a deeper problem.
In this context, the psychological experts at the Institute of OCD explain that the person who checks knows that they have locked up properly. But they feel the need to do it again. “The person may check the locks on the doors, the latches on the windows or those on their car,” they explain.
They add that the fear that an intruder could enter, steal objects or damage the car fuels this fear. But also that the person with OCD feels responsible for not having checked the lock first.
In conclusion, they note that this compulsion is common among people with OCD. The triggering factor is often a traumatic event such as a theft or an assault. But it can also be a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder.
How can you reduce the need to check that you have locked the car properly?
Strengthen confidence in your memory
Mentally noting or writing down the action of locking the car can help consolidate the memory. A useful tip is to say out loud: “I have locked the car”. This then reinforces the encoding of the memory.
Relaxation techniques
Meditation and deep breathing reduce the anxiety that fuels these OCDs. Practicing mindfulness can help you be more present in the moment, thus reducing forgetfulness.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
This approach is effective in breaking the cycle of obsessive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. CBT teaches you to question catastrophic thoughts and therefore to tolerate uncertainty. For example: “If I don’t lock my car, it will be stolen.”
Set a control limit (as if you had locked the car).
Allowing yourself to check once or twice, but no more, helps to break the cycle. Over time, the brain learns that it is not necessary to repeat the action.
