News

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the ongoing worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a pandemic. In response, public health experts around the world have asked individuals and organizations to take action to prevent and limit the transmission of this disease in their communities. This may create unique challenges for people in the OCD and related disorders community as we work to balance what’s best for population health and what’s best for our individual mental health.

The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) put together several resources that you may find useful at this website: https://iocdf.org/covid19/. If you have questions that aren’t addressed on their website, please contact the IOCDF at (617) 973-5801 or info@iocdf.org.

The Annual OCD Conference informs and empowers the OCD community by bringing together health professionals, researchers, individuals with OCD, and their loved ones, with the goal of educating all attendees about the latest treatments, research, and practice in OCD and related disorders.

This year’s Conference will include diverse programming, events, and resources to engage all members of the OCD community!

For more information, click here to visit the OCD Conference website.

If you are struggling to manage the impact of OCD and find support, you are not alone — these types of questions are very common for individuals living with OCD. In addition to being highly misunderstood, OCD can be an unpredictable and unique disease that can impact all areas of your life.

Having a peer community to share experiences with and turn to for support can be an invaluable asset. That’s why the IOCDF has recently partnered with HealthUnlocked to launch a new peer-to-peer online community called My OCD Community!

My OCD Community is a free, online peer-to-peer forum for members to share their OCD experiences. The community is a safe space that allows you to post a question and get answers from members of the forum, share your OCD journey, connect with others, and contribute to ongoing conversations – all from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

To learn more about My OCD Community, read IOCDF’s recent blog post here.

The UC San Diego School of Medicine OCD Research Program is investigating different treatment approaches for individuals with OCD and they are interested in your opinion regarding treatment preferences and effectiveness! This online survey will only take 25 minutes to complete and will be helpful for future treatment development.

You are eligible if you are age 18-75, have OCD, and are fluent in the English language.

Link to the study: alliant.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aay03Hys2dN94Rn. Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ucsdocd.researchprogram. Click here to download a flyer containing more details regarding the study.

Anxiety in the Classroom is an online resource center for school personnel, students, and their families. This website provides general information, resources, and materials about anxiety and OCD as they relate to the school setting, as well as more specific tools for teachers, administrators, and other school personnel who may work with students with anxiety and/or OCD. Parents and students will also find tools and information to help them advocate for school accommodations, as well as to educate their teachers and classmates about OCD and anxiety. Click here to go to the website.

Thomas Smalley calls his YouTube page “Struggle Into Strength.” Anyone who has watched his two documentaries can begin to understand the enormity of his struggle with OCD and his strength to overcome it. A college junior and psychology major, Smalley works hard these days to give us a clue. A strong young man who is on a mission to help people understand OCD, his goals are to spread the word to those suffering from mental illness that they are not alone and to help eliminate the stigma. Click here to read the article.

The Anxiety Institute is hosting free screenings for a documentary that sparks conversation about mental health. The film “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety,” comprises stories about teens who are living with anxiety disorder, OCD and trauma. After the film, experts will offer tips on coping and the different treatment options that are available.

Free screenings will be held October 3 at Prospector Theater, 25 Prospect St., Ridgefield, CT, 7:00 to 8:30 pm and October 17 at Bow Tie Ultimate Royale 6, 542 Westport Ave., Norwalk, CT, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. RSVP to angstmovie.com/anxiety-institute-events.

SUNY Downstate Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry in Brooklyn, NY is conducting a research study sponsored by the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health). Research has shown that genes can make some people more likely than others to develop OCD and related disorders. The goal of this study is to identify these genes.

ELIGIBILITY:

• 7 years of age old or older.
• Have symptoms or a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Related Disorders (Hoarding Disorder, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hair Pulling Disorder/Trichotillomania, and Skin Picking Disorder/Excoriation Disorder).

STUDY PROCEDURES:

• Complete a screening questionnaire on personal and family health history.
• Be interviewed by a clinician about your symptoms.
• Give a small blood sample (about 3 tablespoons).
• Be compensated for your time and effort.

If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact SUNY Downstate Medical Center at:
Email: InstituteforGenomicHealth@downstate.edu
Phone: 718-270-8254
All inquiries are confidential

Click here to download a flyer containing all information.

Typically patients with OCD see a therapist once a week for an hour over several months, but this intensive therapy program for OCD consists of two-hour group meetings three times a week, plus up to four additional hours of individual therapy per week. Some patients complete the treatment in just two weeks. The program is part of a new wave of concentrated, intensive therapy programs for psychiatric disorders. Click here to read the article.

A new study reports that children who possess tendencies toward perfectionism and excessive self-control are twice as likely as other children to develop OCD by the time they reach their teens. MRI scans taken as part of the research revealed that the perfectionists often had smaller volumes of a brain structure previously linked to OCD. Click here to read the article.