Triumph Over Phobias Self-Help Program

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Speakers - Watkins Mr John
Business - Private Members Statements

TRIUMPH OVER PHOBIAS SELF-HELP PROGRAM

Mr WATKINS (Gladesville) [6.41]: I draw the attention of the House to the recent establishment of Triumph Over Phobias - TOP - New South Wales. This is an innovative self-help treatment program providing behaviour therapy in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorders and phobias, which are especially debilitating and frustrating conditions for sufferers and their families and loved ones. The term "obsessive compulsive disorder" covers a wide range of behaviours. Some disorders are managed by sufferers relatively well, but other sufferers can have their lives virtually destroyed by the obsessive compulsive behaviour the disorder causes. A typical example of the behaviour would be an obsession with cleanliness that leads to an often uncontrollable urge to wash hands, bathe, or clean an object, room or house. Such a compulsive behaviour can almost totally disrupt someone's life and may involve the collection of objects, such as newspapers, shopping bags, shopping receipts or almost any other object imagined.

The constant checking of whether doors are locked, the power is turned off or a car is parked correctly can also become an obsession. In serious cases, this disorder can stop someone from working, caring for a family or partaking in normal human relationships. The obsessive compulsive behaviour may be driven by unreasonable fear or phobia, and that fear can distort a sufferer's perception of reality and behaviour. I heard one sufferer describe her condition as being related to a constantly recurring thought which had been with her for many years, causing her great pain.

The understanding of obsessive compulsive disorders has been growing in recent years as it has received increasing attention from the medical profession. However, some of the best treatment and support for the condition has come from self-help and support groups. Last year I visited such a support group which meets at Gladesville Hospital where I met several committed people intent on providing support to these needy people. I particularly mention Ms Jenny Learmont, AM, who is the chairperson of the obsessive compulsive disorder standing committee and provides sensitive and caring direction to the group. I found the honesty and deep human regard evident in all those present at the self-help group most striking. They have realised, often after years of pain, that self-help and support for each other were essential if they were to deal with their disorders and phobias. The TOP program grew out of the realisation that the best answer lay in self-treatment. It is a treatment program by consumers for consumers.

In the establishment of TOP New South Wales, great direction has been received by TOP United Kingdom, and from Professor Isaac Marks from the University of London who is a world renowned expert in the field. Professor Marks launched TOP New South Wales in February this year. I understand that this was made possible by a grant of $69,000 from the New South Wales Government. I was both fascinated and moved at the launch by the honesty of sufferers and the self-empowerment model that was being described and put in place. The program stresses the need for sufferers to learn skills to cure themselves. Therefore, it is a unique and personally empowering process which gives great hope to sufferers.

I have great pleasure in bringing this matter to the attention of the House. I hope that this address has some use in advertising the TOP program so that as many sufferers as possible know of its existence. The other purpose of raising this matter is to help lessen, if possible, the stigma attached to such mental health problems. I was deeply impressed by the human dignity, good sense and intelligence of the sufferers I met. They often have acute self-realisation of their problems, which they had a deep desire and determination to overcome. They are to be encouraged and supported in their struggle.

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