Treatment for OCD in Sydney
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychological condition, classified by unwanted or intrusive ‘obsessive’ thoughts that bring about compulsive or repetitive behaviours. Today over half a million people in Australia suffer from OCD, and although the symptoms and degree of OCD can vary amongst sufferers, around one third of OCD suffers can find the illness debilitating. Like in many other cities and countries, people who have OCD in Sydney and Australia often feel stigmatised about their condition and either avoid seeking help or don’t know what to do. If you think you or a relative might have OCD, here is some advice on how to Seek Treatment for OCD in Sydney.
1. Contact Your GP
If you think you might have OCD the first step is to make an appointment with your General Practitioner or family doctor. It is important to see your regular doctor initially, as he or she will have access to your medical records and in some cases your family’s medical history. Although your GP will probably not be able to treat you directly they will be able to refer you to a specialist and give you further information about local support services.
2. Visit a Specialist
If you believe that you have OCD, or your doctor has confirmed this diagnosis, then you may want to consider visiting a clinical psychologist specialising in treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorders. The Potentialz Unlimited’s Anxiety Disorder services provide for diagnosis and treatment of OCD and other anxiety disorders, such as phobias and body dimorphic disorder. We use treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness for treatment of Anxiety.
3. Private Consultation
In Sydney Australia, there are a range of private specialists and practices that treat OCD and related anxiety disorders and many of these services are partly or fully paid by Medicare. Potentialz Unlimited is one such practice offering treatment for anxiety disorders. We offer a range of treatments and interventions, such as CBT, to help them manage their symptoms and reduce stress or anxiety levels.
4. Visit a Counsellor
Another option for people seeking treatment for OCD in Sydney is to visit a Government Funded counselling service which specialises in anxiety disorders. Organisations like Australia Counselling can link people who have OCD with professional counsellors or therapists, in the Sydney area. Counselling services can offer a wide range of supportive treatments for people with OCD and their families including; CBT, family therapy, group work, and social work services.
For people who have severe symptoms of OCD there is also the possibility to be prescribed anti-anxiety medication, by a doctor, to help manage the associated symptoms. However, in most cases medication alone does not treat the underlying condition but rather alleviates some of the symptoms to allow for other treatments to be more effective when needed.
