Hi all,
Long-time lurker, first-time poster.
I'm desperately looking for help / treatment for OCD & body dysmorphic disorder in Sydney NSW. I'm looking specifically for a psychiatrist at first to review my current medications (haven't been reviewed in years and years), recommend something for the OCD, and then I'd also like to do CBT on the side with a psychologist.
At the moment, I spend 3-4hrs on my compulsions and they cause me extreme distress - constant crying, constantly late for everything (despite being a perfectionist who builds 2hr buffer times into everything!), led to me quitting work, and I just can't bear living like this anymore. I've had these issues since I was 15 or 16, and now I'm 24.
I'm specifically looking for a psychiatrist who is specialised in OCD (and body dysmorphic disorder) if possible. I don't want another general psychiatrist who deals with a bit of everything - I'd really rather have someone with significant experience / interest in these areas, as I've been dealing with them for so long. I've also tried many things on my own - endless self-help books, online courses (eg MoodGym, mindspotclinic etc), and working with my regular psychologist via CBT. But after 2yrs, she has said she recommends I only see a specialist psychiatrist as she thinks I'll need meds to help kickstart my treatment and reduce the severity of what's going on a bit, before I can really make improvement.
I have talked to two GPs for a psychiatrist referral, and both said they didn't know anyone in specific but I should call the Mental Health Care Line. I called this line and they gave me numbers of various private clinics with psychiatrists attached to them, and said I should call the clinics and ask if any of their psychiatrists specialise in OCD etc. I did this - with FIVE clinics - and all five said "Well, all our psychiatrists can deal with OCD.. but no, they're not specialists. They do mood, anxiety, eating, alcohol/drug etc". When I explained I wanted someone with significant experience, I was told to see my GP or contact the mental health care line. It's an endless circle!
I also used various online directories to find a psychiatrist by specialty. I would add 'OCD' as a specialty area, get hundreds of results, click on the profile of each psychiatrist... and each of them would have almost every condition listed, i.e. they are still just generalists.
Do you have any other suggestions of what i could try next?
