Applications have now opened for the OCD program. To apply, please read the information on this page, then click on the "Apply" button in the top right corner or click here. Please note that applications will be closing soon.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition that affects approximately 2% of the Australian population. People with OCD experience repetitive and unwanted thoughts which cause them to feel anxious or distressed (these are obsessions), and complete repetitive and time consuming behaviours or mental rituals as a way to cope with or reduce this anxiety (these are compulsions).

What are the Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

People with OCD present with many different symptoms but the themes of their obsessions generally involve:

1. Concerns about causing harm to themselves or to others on purpose, or because they are not careful enough
2. Becoming contaminated from dirt/germs, bodily waste or secretions, or environmental contaminants (such as household cleaners, asbestos etc).
3. A need for things to be symmetrical, ordered, or perfect, to prevent bad things happening or because it just feels 'right'.
4. Repetitive and upsetting thoughts, images, or urges of a religious, sexual or immoral nature.

Some of the things people with OCD might do to try to cope with their anxiety or distress is excessive checking, washing, cleaning, arranging, and repeating routine activities. They may also have mental activities they must do such as saying a silent prayer, or repeating safe words or phrases, or constantly reviewing conversations with people etc. People with OCD also tend to try to avoid situations that provoke their obsessions/anxiety. They tend to know that their concerns and behaviours are unreasonable or excessive; however they feel compelled to engage in these activities to prevent harm.

Symptoms of OCD can occur in everyone to some degree, however OCD is diagnosed and treatment is needed when these symptoms interfere in the person's ability to live their life the way they would like. Their symptoms might get in the way of their relationships, being able to work or go to school or engage in pleasurable activities.

Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is treatable! The best treatments involve:

• Learning about your symptoms
• Learning how to control those symptoms, and slowly (and gradually) practicing going into situations you fear (to teach yourself, slowly and gradually, that you can manage those situations).

You can talk to your General Practitioner about getting a referral to a Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or another mental health professional to learn to manage your OCD. Or, you can try our OCD treatment Program.

What is the VirtualClinic OCD Program?

The OCD Program is designed to teach people with OCD about their symptoms, and to show them ways of managing their symptoms. This is all done over the Internet. The OCD Program is designed to teach people with OCD about their symptoms and it includes:

• 8 online lessons, which are available 24 hours a day on the internet,
• Homework assignments for further understanding and practice, and
• Lots of additional resources.

The Program is designed to provide you with the information that you would normally receive from high quality face-to-face treatment from a clinical psychologist. Please note: Learning to overcome symptoms of OCD takes determination and commitment. We expect that during the Program you will have to invest up to 6 hours each week reading the materials and practicing the skills described in those materials. It is hard work!

The First Trial of the VirtualClinic OCD Program

We have now opened applications for the first trial of the OCD program. To apply, please read the information on this page, and then click on the "Apply" button in the top right corner. If you are accepted into a program, you will be randomly allocated to one of two groups:

1) The Immediate Education group. This group will begin the program on Monday 20th September.
2) The Waiting List group. This group will begin the program on Monday 22nd November.

During the program eight different lessons are provided over 4 or 8 weeks. You will be contacted weekly by phone or email by a clinical psychologist who can answer questions about the lessons and show you how to use the skills to help you to learn to reduce your symptoms. The more that you practice these skills throughout the week, the faster you will improve.

This program has been designed based on the most recent research available. Internet-based treatment programs such as this are already being used in other countries and have been shown to be effective, even after as little time as 4 weeks of treatment. We would like to offer the same for you.

Page Last Updated 29 August:  2010, by Dr Nickolai Titov