News

Please RSVP to ct.ocdf@gmail.com by Tuesday, April 28th, so we can keep an eye on numbers.

This is an in-person session only.

The Hubbard Room seats 80 people.

Parking: Parking for the Russell Library is available in several nearby municipal lots and metered street spaces, with over 200 spots within half a block. Parking is generally enforced from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Saturday. Key options include the adjacent Broad Street Lot, the Kid City Lot, and the Middlesex Corporate Center Garage, with payments accepted via the ParkMobile App or kiosks. 

Russell Library website: russelllibrary.org.

Changing medications abruptly can result in dangerous side effects. Elizabeth, a long-time caregiver for her two autistic sons, experienced a mental health crisis after her doctor advised an abrupt switch from Celexa to Zoloft. Instead of finding relief from burnout, she suffered from “protracted withdrawal,” enduring severe psychological distress and physical symptoms like heart palpitations and suicidal thoughts. Her story highlights a dangerous gap in medical practice, where a lack of standardized guidelines leads some physicians to switch potent medications too quickly, leaving patients vulnerable to debilitating side effects.

Experts suggest that switching medications should often be a last resort, preceded by dosage adjustments or adding supplemental treatments like psychotherapy. When a change is necessary, the gold standard is “cross-tapering”—gradually reducing the old drug while slowly introducing the new one over several weeks. This method helps minimize withdrawal symptoms such as “brain zaps” and extreme anxiety, ensuring that patients like Elizabeth can safely transition without enduring the trauma of sudden chemical shifts.

To read the entire article on The New York Times website, click here.

As part of our continuing Lecture Series, we were honored to host a virtual Zoom event featuring a presentation by Rev. Dr. Katie O’Dunne on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 7:00 pm. Katie spoke about a topic that sits at the heart of many individuals’ recovery journeys: The Intersection of Religious Faith and OCD.

Katie founded and leads an inclusive virtual community for those navigating faith and OCD, called Stick with the Ick (formerly Faith & Mental Health Integrative Services). The organization helps individuals with OCD and related disorders live into their faith traditions as they navigate evidence-based treatment.

An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, Katie spent 7 years as the Academy Chaplain and Chair of Religious Studies at Woodward Academy in Atlanta, simultaneously consulting on interfaith programming nationwide. Drawing on this experience, she educates clinicians and clergy, promoting culturally responsive treatment across religious/spiritual traditions.

Katie is a Lead Advocate for the IOCDF and leads the IOCDF Faith & OCD Action Council. She consults on Religion & OCD with OCDI Texas and received Vanderbilt’s Doctor of Ministry Award for Distinction in Integrative Care Practices. She is a frequent presenter at the IOCDF annual conferences and is the host of the Faith & OCD Roundtable series on IOCDF’s YouTube channel.

This event has been transcribed and recorded. Links to the transcription and recordings are below:

• Transcription
• Video
• Audio Only

Citation:
Ekici, E., Rışvanoğlu, D. P., Tüzün, Ş., Berçin, Y., Aslan, Ş., & Malkoç, D. (2025). Quality and reliability analysis of YouTube videos on obsessive compulsive disorder and its treatment. Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and Research, 14(3), 210–217. https://doi.org/10.14744/JCBPR.2025.62091. Full text PDF: https://jcbpr.org/storage/upload/pdfs/1756120353-en.pdf.

Abstract:

The Internet is a crucial and popular health knowledge resource for individuals. YouTube ranks among the most frequently used social media platforms globally. Multiple studies have reported that the quality of health information in YouTube videos is low, and many YouTube users are exposed to such low-quality information.

This study aims to establish the quality and reliability of the most-viewed videos about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and its treatment.

On September 15, 2024, the terms “obsessive-compulsive disorder,” “OCD,” “obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment,” and “OCD treatment” were searched on YouTube. Video features (duration of the video, number of likes, comments, and views) and upload sources were noted. Quality and reliability were evaluated based on the Quality Criteria for Consumer Health Information (DISCERN) and the Global Quality Scale (GQS) scores.

A total of 126 most-viewed YouTube videos were assessed, and exclusion criteria were subsequently applied. The analysis showed that 31.8% of the YouTube videos on OCD and OCD treatment were very poor or poor, 31.8% were fair, and 36.4% were good or excellent.

Our findings revealed that DISCERN (p=0.004) and GQS (p=0.000) scores were significantly higher for YouTube videos uploaded by healthcare providers than for those uploaded by independent users.

There were no relationships between DISCERN scores and video duration and popularity indices (likes, comments, view ratio, Video Like Ratio, and Video Power Index [VPI]). However, the view ratio, number of likes, and VPI were significantly higher for videos rated as fair compared to those in the other groups (p<0.05).

Platforms such as YouTube have become significant public resources for mental health education. To increase the impact of medical videos, efforts should be focused on maintaining high-quality content while keeping the video length concise. Optimizing both content quality and video length can significantly improve the effectiveness of health-related videos as primary sources of information from health professionals.

Unique Identifier: 2026-84039-005
Publication Date: 2025

Publication History:

• First Posting: Aug 25, 2025
• Accepted: Aug 2, 2025
• Revised: Jul 8, 2025
• First Submitted: May 16, 2025

Language: English
Authors: Ekici, Esengül; Rışvanoğlu, Damla Pınar; Tüzün, Şemal; Berçin, Yeşim; Aslan, Şeyma; Malkoç, Dolunay
Email: Ekici, Esengül, gulekici09@gmail.com
Correspondence Address: Ekici, Esengül: Yuksek Ihtisas Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Psikiyatri Anabilim Dali, Ankara, Turkey, gulekici09@gmail.com

Affiliation:

• Ekici, Esengül, Department of Psychiatry, Yuksek Ihtisas University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
• Rışvanoğlu, Damla Pınar, Yuksek Ihtisas University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
• Tüzün, Şemal, Yuksek Ihtisas University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
• Berçin, Yeşim, Yuksek Ihtisas University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
• Aslan, Şeyma, Yuksek Ihtisas University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
• Malkoç, Dolunay, Yuksek Ihtisas University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

Source: Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and Research, Vol 14(3), 2025, 210-217.
ISSN: 2636-8765 (Electronic); 2146-9490 (Print)
Publisher: Turkey: Association for Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies
Format Covered: Electronic
Publication Type: Journal, Peer Reviewed Journal
Document Type: Journal Article
Digital Object Identifier: 10.14744/JCBPR.2025.62091
Keywords: DISCERN; global quality scale; OCD; OCD treatment; YouTube; quality; reliability
Index Terms: *Digital Video; *Internet; *Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; *Quality of Life; *Health Information
PsycINFO Classification: 3215 Anxiety Disorders
Population Group: Human
Methodology: Empirical Study; Quantitative Study
Release Date: November 13, 2025 (PsycINFO)

The Online OCD Camp sponsored by Mclean OCD Institute is a weekend full of interactive sessions, educational activities, and FUN for youth aged 6-17 who have OCD or a sibling with OCD.

In addition to programming for elementary, middle, and high schoolers, OCD Camp also offers support for caregivers and families, including strategies and education about caring for a child with OCD and socialization with families with similar experiences.

You can choose from four audience tracks:

• Elementary Schoolers (Suggested Ages: 6–11)
• Middle Schoolers (Suggested Ages: 12–14)
• High Schoolers (Suggested Ages: 15–17)
• Parents and Caregivers

Organized by the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), the Faith & OCD Conference Sponsored by Stick with the Ick began out of the recognition that many people living with OCD initially seek assistance from a faith leader before a mental health provider.

This unique, online event was specifically created to address the needs of a diverse community — spanning all faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds. We’ll provide education about effective treatment and ways to support those in the faith community living with OCD.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025
12:00pm–5:45pm ET (9:00am–2:45pm PT)

Join us for this collaborative conversation between faith leaders, mental health providers, and the OCD community!

The Yale OCD Research Clinic is pleased to host a free public educational event focused on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) at the New Haven Free Public Library, Ives Community Program Room, 133 Elm St., New Haven, CT 06510 on Monday, November 17, 2025, 6:00pm-7:30pm.

Whether you’re looking to better understand OCD or simply want to learn more about mental health, this event is open to all.

Led by Dr. Christopher Pittenger, director of the Yale OCD Research Clinic, and a panel of expert clinicians and researchers, we’ll explore key topics including:

• What OCD is—and what it’s not.
• Common symptoms and misconceptions.
• Proven, evidence-based treatment options.
• An open Q&A session with our team of experts.

Join us for an informative and engaging session designed to educate, raise awareness, and answer your questions.

The Community Program room seats about 80-100 people.

Parking: Yale’s Lot 51, located on Temple Street at Wall Street, offers free parking after 4:30 pm for the public. Yale’s Lot 51 has capacity for about 70 cars. Additional parking information provided by the library can be found here: https://nhfpl.org/branches/ives-main-library/.

Link to Library’s Calendar: https://nhfpl.libcal.com/event/15582562?hs=a.

For inquiries, please contact Diana Bok (diana.bok@yale.edu) or Olivia Baiz (olivia.baiz@yale.edu).

Hartford, CT – The Board of OCD Connecticut, the state affiliate of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), is thrilled to announce that Governor Ned Lamont has officially proclaimed October 13 to 19, 2025, as OCD Awareness Week in the state of Connecticut. This significant recognition is a pivotal step in our ongoing efforts to raise awareness and promote understanding of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related conditions.

OCD is a mental health condition that affects millions of individuals nationwide, yet it remains largely misunderstood. With the governor’s proclamation, we hope to shed light on the realities of living with OCD, educate the public on its symptoms, and advocate for better access to treatment and support.

“We are incredibly honored by this proclamation from Governor Lamont,” said Audrey Medd, Secretary of OCD Connecticut. “This recognition will not only amplify our message but also reinforce our commitment to supporting individuals and families navigating the challenges of OCD. We believe that through awareness and education, we can reduce stigma and help those affected seek the help they need.”

Throughout OCD Awareness Week, OCD Connecticut hosted a variety of events, workshops, and outreach initiatives aimed at engaging the community and fostering open conversations about OCD.

For more information about upcoming events, resources, and how to get involved, please visit our website at ocdct.org.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by OCD and work towards a future where understanding and support are readily available for all.

Click on the image below to view the proclamation.

As part of our Lecture Series, we were honored to host a virtual Zoom event featuring a presentation by Katie Jeffrey, MS, RDN, CSSD, MB-EAT-QI, LDN, and Lissette Cortes, Psy.D. CEDS, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 7:00pm.

Ms. Jeffrey and Dr. Cortes discussed the topic of OCD and eating disorders or food fears/eating challenges related to OCD.

Katie Jeffrey is a registered dietitian nutritionist licensed in CT, FL, NC and RI. She works with adolescents and adults and specializes in eating disorders, co-existing food fears and anxiety related to OCD, and in performance nutrition. She is passionate about working with athletes. She incorporates mindful and intuitive eating practices, and she draws from therapy techniques as they relate to nutrition, including ACT, trauma-informed care, and ERP.

Dr. Lissette Cortes is a licensed psychologist, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and PsyPact® provider able to treat individuals in all PSYPACT® states. She treats adolescents and adults. She specializes in the treatment of co-morbid OCD and Eating Disorders. She also treats anxiety disorders, BDD, BFRBs, tics, and Tourette‘s. Dr. Cortes is trained in CBIT for the treatment for Tourette’s and in SPACE for parenting interventions. She practices from a CBT approach using ERP and implementing ACT principles.

Katie and Lissette are the co-authors of the workbook, “The OCD Workbook for Food and Eating Fears: Overcome Obsessive Thoughts and Compulsions Using an Integrative CBT and Intuitive Eating Approach,” which will be published by New Harbinger in Spring 2026.

Their website is compassionateinst.com.
Katie’s website is katiejeffreyllc.com.

This event has been recorded. Links to the recordings are below:

• Video
• Audio Only