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 exhibiting signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, you should seek the advice and support of a trained professional.

MHM Psychology provides effective, caring, and understanding OCD treatment on the Gold Coast – servicing Pimpama, Oxenford, Hope Island, Helensvale, Coomera, Upper Coomera and more. With a trained professional helping you every step of the way to overcome the obsessive thinking and compulsions that characterise OCD.

Professional & understanding 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. 

To read about how psychologist help in the treatment of OCD, click here. 

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 can affect a person to a degree where it impedes their ability to function on a daily basis. Behaviours can become extremely repetitive and ritualistic. These symptoms can be highly distressing, scary, and incredibly time-consuming.

People diagnosed with OCD are 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:

• 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
• 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 enact your distressing thoughts

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, an eating disorder and alcohol or substance abuse problems.

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.

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