OCD Clinic & Psychology Gold Coast

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that affects more than 500,000 Australians, or 2-3% of Australia's population. If you are concerned that you, or someone you know, are experiencing symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, you might benefit from talking to a Clinical Psychologist about your symptoms. OCD is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. 

MHM Psychology provides evidenced-based OCD treatment (ERP Therapy) on the Gold Coast – servicing Coomera, Upper Coomera, Pimpama, Oxenford, Hope Island, Helensvale, and more. Read more below on OCD Treatments, or check out our information on Exposure and Response Prevention and CBT for OCD.

OCD Treatment on the Gold Coast 

At its core, OCD is an anxiety disorder. Some anxiety-provoking thoughts are normal, and can actually be beneficial. Such as when these thoughts prompt us to complete important tasks. At other times, they can become problematic. For example, repeatedly questioning “did I turn the oven off?”, leading to repeated trips back to the kitchen to check, at its extreme, can become exhausting, frightening, and can come to interfere with everyday functioning. 

One component that forms the diagnosis of OCD includes assessment of the degree to which these symptoms affect someone's ability to engage fully in the key domains of their life (e.g. work, relationships, socialising, etc.). When present, OCD symptoms (intrusive thoughts and compulsions) can affect a person to a degree where it impedes their ability to function on a daily basis. These behaviours can become extremely repetitive and ritualistic. Intrusive thougths can be highly distressing, scary, and time-consuming.

People diagnosed with OCD are often aware that their thoughts are irrational, however, this is not enough to extinguish or get rid of the intrusive thoughts. The good news is, effective OCD treatments are available. 

What are the signs and symptoms of OCD?

A Clinical Psychologist can help you to identify if your symptoms align with a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

OCD Symptoms list:

• Harming - fears of harming yourself or your loved ones, which leads to intense distress
• Sexual - fears of performing inappropriate sexual acts
• Loss of control - fear that you will be unable to resist your intrusive thoughts and that you will act out your distressing thoughts
• Cleanliness – fear of germs, excessive hand washing or cleaning
• Order – an obsession with patterns, symmetry, and/or order
• Counting – the need to count objects such as tiles, lights, or the number of steps you've taken, etc.
• Hoarding – holding onto items like old paperwork or receipts
• Safety – an excessive fear of harm that leads to repeatedly checking locks, doors, or cameras

This list is far from exhaustive and other symptoms may also be present. As well as obsessions and compulsions, people with OCD may also experience depression, other anxiety disorders, eating disorders and other mental health difficulties.

Where to seek OCD treatment.

OCD treatment is available at our MHM clinic on the Gold Coast, servicing Coomera, Upper Coomera, Pimpama, Oxenford, Helensvale, Hope Island, and more. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, or CBT, is a highly effective treatment approach in the management of OCD. 

OCD is a treatable condition and talking to a trained professional in a supportive and comfortable environment is the first step towards recovery and reclaiming your life.

Click here to read more about Dr Mark Bartholomew, our services, or take a look at our blog page.