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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (O.C.D.) is often misunderstood as simply involving visible rituals like hand-washing or repetitive behaviors, but it can take many forms, including intrusive and distressing thoughts about harming others or doubts about personal relationships. These varied expressions, such as “relationship O.C.D.” or “sexual orientation O.C.D.,” are not separate diagnoses but different manifestations of the same condition. Misunderstanding these symptoms can lead people to feel ashamed or fearful, making them reluctant to seek help. Recognizing the diverse ways O.C.D. presents is crucial for both public awareness and accurate diagnosis.

O.C.D. is characterized by persistent obsessions—unwanted thoughts, urges, or images—and compulsions, which are repetitive behaviors performed to relieve anxiety. These symptoms can consume hours each day and significantly affect quality of life. The disorder varies widely between individuals, including differences in symptom themes, insight into the condition, and the presence of tics. Common themes include contamination, fear of harm, perfectionism, and taboo thoughts. Treatment typically involves antidepressants and exposure and response prevention therapy, which helps patients confront their fears without performing compulsions. Understanding a patient’s specific O.C.D. type allows therapists to tailor effective, targeted treatment strategies.

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

As part of our Lecture Series, we were honored to host a virtual Zoom event featuring a presentation by Ethan S. Smith, a National OCD Advocate, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 7:30 pm.

Ethan shared his personal journey with OCD and discussed the challenges of media portrayal and public perception of the disorder. He emphasized the importance of proper treatment, including exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), and addressed the global disparities in OCD awareness and treatment. The presentation also covered topics such as addressing stigma, supporting family members with OCD, and the progress made in OCD awareness and representation in media over the years.

Ethan currently lives in the Los Angeles and Atlanta areas, working as a writer/director/producer, known for Dexter (2006), I Love You, Man (2009), and Recount (2008), and as an OCD advocate and consultant.

He was born with OCD and struggled the majority of his life until receiving life-changing treatment in 2010.

Ethan was the keynote speaker at the 2014 Annual OCD Conference in Los Angeles. He served as an IOCDF National Spokesperson from 2015–2017, as the IOCDF National Ambassador from 2018–2020, received the inaugural IOCDF Legacy Award in 2025, and currently serves as an IOCDF National Advocate. He’s devoted his life to reducing stigma around OCD and mental health, to education, and to supporting the OCD community.

Click here to view Ethan Smith’s 2014 Keynote at the IOCDF Annual OCD Conference.

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

• Video
• Audio Only

As part of our Lecture Series, we were honored to host a presentation by Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, director of the Yale OCD Research Clinic on June 3, 2025. Dr. Pittenger discussed his groundbreaking research on novel treatments for OCD, highlighting recent advancements in the field. His presentation also offered a comprehensive review of the foundational aspects of OCD, including treatment modalities and pharmacological interventions, with specific attention to emerging treatments like ketamine and psychedelics.

Dr. Pittenger, a renowned psychiatry researcher, is a leading figure in the field. He earned his MD and Ph.D. from Columbia University, where his graduate work was done with Nobel Prize recipient Eric Kandel. He then completed his residency and research training in psychiatry at Yale University, his undergraduate alma mater. By 2007, he became a faculty member at Yale and has since risen to the position of Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry, with additional professorships in Psychology and the Child Study Center, also serving as Deputy Chair for Translational Research.

Dr. Pittenger’s research is dedicated to understanding the biological roots of mental illness, aiming to translate this knowledge into novel treatments. His work has extensively examined OCD and Tourette syndrome, focusing on the relevant brain circuitry. More recently, he co-founded the Yale Program for Psychedelic Science and the Yale Center for Brain and Mind Health. He has won a number of awards, including from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Society for Neuroscience, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American College of Psychiatrists. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation and Chair of both their Grant Review Committee and their Annual Research Symposium Planning Committee. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Neurological Association.

The event took place on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 6:30 pm in the Cohen Auditorium located in the Yale Child Study Center, 230 S. Frontage Road NIHB E-02, New Haven, CT.

Dr. Pittenger’s website is https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/christopher-pittenger/.
The Yale OCD Research Clinic website is https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/ocd/.

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

Video
Audio Only

Timmy Reen, a New York City firefighter, spent years concealing his severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, particularly his intense fear of contamination, from his colleagues. His rituals, such as wearing his oxygen mask longer, bringing his own bedding and cleaning supplies to the firehouse, and walking miles to work to avoid the subway’s perceived contamination, were viewed as quirks. After his shifts, he performed elaborate decontamination routines, including undressing outside and showering meticulously at home. While his colleagues saw him as a dependable firefighter, his family witnessed his growing isolation and the profound impact of his unseen struggles.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent vaccine mandate brought Reen’s hidden battle to a head. His overwhelming fear of permanent contamination from the vaccine led him to request an exemption, stating it would lead to suicide. This disclosure resulted in a contentious encounter with the Fire Department, a psychiatric evaluation, and ultimately the denial of his exemption. Forced to choose between his career and his debilitating O.C.D., Reen resigned after 20 years of service when the mandate was not lifted for him. Now retired and divorced, he lives a life of isolation, his every outing dictated by his contamination fears, a stark consequence of a disorder he had long tried to keep secret.

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

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) can be profoundly isolating, impacting emotional well-being and daily functioning. Yet with appropriate support and treatment, people with BDD can thrive.

Join the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation on Saturday, May 31, 2025, for the second annual Online BDD Conference — a vital virtual event dedicated to understanding and treating BDD, a serious and often misunderstood OCD-related disorder.

This conference will provide participants with the latest research, strategies for effective treatment, and a supportive community for those affected by BDD.

Why Attend?

• Understand BDD on a deeper level with expert insights into the nature, causes, and impact of this disorder.
• Explore effective, evidence-based treatment options that can help individuals with BDD live more fulfilling, productive lives.
• Gain practical tools for managing symptoms such as mirror checking, reassurance-seeking, and compulsive grooming.
• Hear from those with lived experience who will share their recovery journeys and from families and mental health professionals who understand the challenges and needs of people with BDD.
• Connect with a vibrant, supportive community committed to breaking the stigma surrounding BDD and providing hope for those affected.

This is your opportunity to be part of a movement that’s improving lives, raising awareness, and supporting those affected by BDD. Reserve your spot today and take the first step toward hope and healing!

The Online BDD Conference will be held online via Zoom for Healthcare, so you can attend in the comfort of your own home!

As part of our Lecture Series, we were honored to host a virtual Zoom event featuring a presentation by Tom Smalley, a National OCD Advocate, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Tom discussed the topic of OCD in sports.

Tom is the founder of Struggle into Strength Performance, LLC. He is a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. Tom received his Master of Science in exercise and sports science from Merrimack College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Siena College.

Tom was diagnosed with OCD in 2014 at the age of 16 and, shortly after, became passionate about spreading awareness about what real OCD is. Tom was the recipient of the 2019 IOCDF Hero Award. He speaks at the annual International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) OCD conferences and schools around the Northeast. He has also appeared on a variety of blogs and podcasts.

In January 2021, Smalley became a Lead Advocate for the IOCDF and co-founded the Anxiety in Athletes initiative—a task force and online resource center with the help of the IOCDF in an effort to break the stigma around mental health in athletics.

Smalley has a strong passion for weightlifting and began competing in 2021, eight years after his mental health forced him to halt his athletic career. He is a USAW adaptive division 2x gold medalist.

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

• Video
• Audio Only

For more information about Tom, you can visit his website at struggleintostrength.com.