Who is the program for?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves recurring and intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that feel out of one’s control and lead to intense and uncomfortable feelings such as fear, disgust, and guilt. OCD also involves experiencing compulsions, which are repetitive behaviours or thoughts that a person uses to neutralise, counteract, or make their obsessions and uncomfortable feelings go away. Symptoms vary in severity causing little impairment (mild), through to considerable impact (severe).
Because OCD can be a complex disorder, and can sometimes be related to another condition, careful assessment by a professional experienced with OCD is recommended before a diagnosis.
- Contamination (e.g. body fluids; germs and diseases; environmental contaminants; household chemicals; dirt)
- Harm (e.g. being responsible for harming yourself or others)
- Illness (e.g. concern with getting an illness not through germs, such as cancer)
- Losing control (e.g. fear of stealing things; acting on impulse; stealing things, acting violently or recklessly)
- Perfection (e.g. things being orderly; even, exact; losing things; making decisions)
- Religious obsessions (e.g. concern of offending God or concern with blasphemy; concern of right/wrong; morality)
- Superstitious (e.g. lucky or unlucky numbers, words, colours)
- Unwanted sexual thoughts (e.g. forbidden or perverse thoughts; obsessions about homosexuality; obsessions involving children or incest; aggressive sexual behaviour).
- Avoiding situations that might trigger obsessions
- Checking (e.g. that you did not lose something, make a mistake, forget something, or harm someone; checking your body)
- “Confessing” or asking for reassurance
- Mental compulsions (e.g. mentally replying/reviewing events; counting or saying certain words under your breath; “cancelling”, blocking, or pushing away thoughts; praying excessively)
- Ordering (e.g. arranging clothes, stationary, books a certain way)
- Repeating (e.g. rereading, rewriting; routine activities such as standing/sitting, walking through doorways; body movements such as tapping, blinking)
- Washing and cleaning (e.g. hands and clothes in a certain way and certain number of times; cleaning the house excessively; preventing contact with objects or chemicals).
This program is suitable for individuals diagnosed with OCD, whose obsessions and compulsions are distressing, time-consuming and impacting on their day-to-day life.
How will it help me?
This program helps individuals with OCD and related disorders, gain the skills and knowledge to deal with their symptoms and make positive changes, in a supportive environment.
The program is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) principles for dealing with OCD. There is an emphasis on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) which is considered a “gold-standard” method in treating OCD.
When does the program run?
This three-week inpatient OCD program runs on an ongoing basis.
Please also see ‘More Information’ below for details on the OCD Day Program and Outreach Services.
How do I access the program?
A referral from your GP or Psychiatrist is required. A referral letter can be faxed to The Melbourne Clinic’s Intake service for triage. The fax number for intake is (03) 9420 9351.
Please click HERE for further details on the referral process
Prior to arranging admission, a clinician will review with you, suitability of this program for your needs.
To be considered suitable, applicants must:
- Have a formal diagnosis of OCD, made by an appropriate health professional
- Be motivated and ready for change
- Be assessed as low risk at commencement of the program to allow for unaccompanied leave to participate in behavioural tasks
- Not be in a crisis situation. It is recommended that the individual seek appropriate support and treatment and to consider commencing the OCD program when the crisis has been managed.
- Committed to complete the 3 week program (or 2 week version of the program)
- Be able to participate appropriately in a group setting and work cooperatively and respectfully with staff and group members.
- Have adequate comprehension and literacy skills
- Be willing to engage in various reading and writing tasks, as well as listening to group presentations and engaging in discussions.