Dom Dolla Opens Up About Living With OCD in First Podcast Appearance

First Podcast Interview Reveals Mental Health Struggle

Dom Dolla discussed his struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder in his first-ever podcast appearance, a wide-ranging conversation moderated by Tia Ho alongside his "Don't Worry Baby" collaborator Tiga. The interview touched on subjects from pub discos to airline loyalty programs, but its most candid stretch came when Dolla, whose real name is Dominic Matheson, described a diagnosis he received roughly 12 years ago.

"I have OCD and I've suffered with it for years," Matheson said, adding that the condition "can be pretty debilitating."

How OCD Shapes His Studio Process

Matheson was careful to note that his experience differs from the popular image of OCD as simple fastidiousness, noting the condition materializes through "some crazy manifestations." OCD is a mental health condition characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental compulsions performed to reduce distress or anxiety.

The Australian producer explained that an inability to tolerate doubt fuels his exacting studio process. "What if I don't give this record the best chance that it possibly can?" he said, describing the question that drives him to scrutinize every vocal take, drum hit and bassline before he considers a track finished.

Context and Prevalence

OCD affects an estimated 2% to 3% of the global population, which means approximately 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children live with the condition, according to the International OCD Foundation. Matheson recently made history as the first electronic act to headline a solo stadium show in Australia.