Struggling to find a psychologist for OCD

[millie11]

Hey everyone, first time posting here. I have seen 3 different psychologists this year (diagnosed with OCD, GAD & depression) but I haven’t been able to connect with them or felt any progress has been made. This has made me so anxious that I’ve completely stopped seeing a psychologist.

I am aware that I do need some form of therapy in particular for the OCD. Can anyone offer some tips on finding a psychologist or can recommend any psychologists? (in Victoria). Am I the only one having this issue? Thank-you

[Andre_P]

Hey mate, far out I hate ocd. I can relate. It’s soo tiresome that it depresses ya. It’s been a hectic year for me.

as for psychologist. I’m in Perth so I dunno. I am seeing a psychiatrist soon just to get a formal diagnosis, not for the scrips.

I have a plan of approach but it takes time. Mine only ramped up when I developed my phobia. When this goes the ocd will subside back to stuff all.

Hope you’re doing ok mate

[geoff]

Hello Millie11, and welcome to the site.

I also have OCD and had it for a very long time with repetitive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and irrational, excessive urges to do certain actions that don't make logical sense and someone who doesn't have it, just can't understand why they can't stop us.

My last psychologist didn't believe in medication and also thought I could stop OCD, he didn't last long at all.

I once did an OCD online course which didn't stop me from doing it, although helpful, until the course ended.

Psych's can use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) or desensitisation which you can learn to do yourself but to find a psychologist, I would ring the office and ask whether or not they specialise in this illness.

I'm really sorry that no luck has been found from previous psych's, because you need an understanding person so you can talk to.

Please let us know.

Geoff.

[Andre_P]

Hey Geoff, been awhile. Yea man ocd would have to be one of the most debilitating and frustrating mental illnesses on the list.

I know one thing when you lose the fear the obsessions will subside, she you lose the obsessions the rituals will subside.

until then I have been doing a fair bit of avoidance. I have read a book but I’m reluctant to finish it as it put me in a tizzy just identifying all my garbage.

im getting there but it isn’t easy some days. I gotta keep positive, in getting better and better everyday 👊

[Andre_P]

Ocd is a tricky one cuz you can’t dive head first into your fears or you’ll be bombarded with obsessions and rituals but constant avoidance isn’t good either.

gotta find a happy medium. Yes exposure is good but only gradually and if your comfortable. I find having a back up plan allows you to expose yourself more whilst batting away rituals. That’s why I’m waiting on my specialist app 👊

[Andre_P]

Once* also sometimes you can have a lot of rituals when things are going well. It’s like your body’s way of trying to keep things going good. Again ocd is a strange 1. I know 1 thing and it’s all driven by fear. You lose the fear you pretty much lose the obsession etc etc

[Andre_P]

Write things down man it does help a lot ay. Paper is better if you have it

[geoff]

Hello Andre_P, you have made some very strong points here, all of which I agree with, because it doesn't matter how you feel if, for example, you feel OK that doesn't stop you from performing these obsessions and/or compulsions, it just makes you feel happier in doing them.

My twin, fortunately, doesn't suffer from this illness, and not once did he ever complain or even make a statement contradicting what I had to be doing at certain times when these obsessions had to carried out, this I can't thank him enough, whereas an older brother, had a field day, mocking and teasing me at every chance, that's when I decided to hide doing them.

People who don't have it may say that that's what they did yesterday, go and check the locks, then maybe I have this illness, no, unless other anxiety behaviours control your life that compelled you to have to perform these, not once but all the time, and I say this a an OCD sufferer.

Please stay in touch Andre.

Geoff.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi millie11,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for your post. It's great that you've gotten so much support already.

Unfortunately we can't recommend any specific psychologists here as much as we would like to sometimes!

I'm going to share a few resources below and hopefully they can be useful

- https://www.psychology.org.au/Find-a-Psychologist You can then filter by postcode/state and also for OCD.

- https://www.arcvic.org.au/ They have a phone line and a webchat (both free) and do referrals. While it says anxiety recovery it also includes OCD.

- a google search with "melbourne" + "therapist" = "OCD". This can be really handy as there are therapists online who really focus on OCD and make this known on their website.

and finally - when you do see a therapist, feel free to ask them in the first session about their experience working with OCD; how many clients have they seen? what sort of approaches do they use? what would the work look like together? This can give you a bit of insight before you decide to invest in it all.

Hope this helps!

Best of luck

rt

[Andre_P]

Yeah it’s pretty annoying man. I think it has something to been a perfectionist and expecting everything perfect. I have to learn to be ok with how things are but it’s not easy.

yes as you mentioned but hiding is worse. Shame shuts down a part of the brain and you end up doing more rituals. I try my best to be comfortable around my mum and she accepts me. It definitely makes it easier.

having said that though it’s still a difficult condition. My ocd has even depressed me. Anyway I got a plan but just gotta wait 👊🙂

you take care as well bro 👊👊