The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), you are never alone. Countless men, women, and children have faced exactly the same diagnosis and have survived and thrived. The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.

TSC has scoured the Web to gather together links to the very best OCD resources: articles, blogs, forums, and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional, and other challenges that you're facing now.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this OCD guide even more helpful to survivors like you.

JUST FOUND OUT 

Survivors Say: Best Resources for OCD

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• MedlinePlus: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 
• Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
• Kidshealth.org: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 

The Big Picture

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as handwashing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away.  Performing these so-called "rituals," however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.

To better understand the most common signs of OCD, read this page:

National Institute of Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Your OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by repetitive behaviors and thoughts. Here's more about how a diagnosis of OCD is made, from About.com:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: How is OCD Diagnosed?

Your World

After being diagnosed with any disease, it's understandable to experience a flood of emotions. Talk to your loved ones and reach out to support centers during the initial stages of your journey. For advice on finding support, check out these resources:

Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation: Search for a Support Group

eHow.com: OCD Support Groups (video)

If you're not sure sure how to tell your family or friends you have OCD or are seeking professional help, here's some guidance in tackling this sensitive subject: 

OCD Chicago: Telling others about your OCD - do family and friends need to know?

Psychcentral.com: Talking to friends and family about seeking help

OCD Myths

• "You're just fussy."
• "People with OCD just need to learn how to relax."
• "Real OCD isn't very common."

iVillage.com/Your Total Health: Myths About OCD

Information and Recommended Links for Survivors

• NIMH: When Unwanted Thoughts Take Over: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Is there help?
• About.com: Living with OCD
• Anxiety Disorders of America: Living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: Communities - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• The Family Compass - OCD Treatment 

Types of Treatment

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A  form of psychotherapy (counseling) called cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is considered very effective in treating those with OCD, and may be used in combination with medication:

Yahoo! Health/Healthwise: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - Treatment Overview

Psychiatry Weekly: CBT for OCD (November 2008)

Medication

Prescription drugs, especially antidepressants, are a standard part of treatment for adults and kids with OCD:

Obsessive Compulsive Foundation: Adults - Medication

Obsessive Compulsive Foundation: Children - Medication

Possible Treatment Side Effects

New Therapies

Ongoing research about OCD and its treatment means there's always the possibility of new and better options for keeping symptoms under control. Keep up with the latest findings here:

NIMH Science News About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Creating a Support Circle

• Set up your TSC survivor profile.
• Join support groups of other survivors or set up your own.
• Interact and provide updates on your TSC profile or the TSC forums.

Health-care Providers Who Can Help

• Psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals -- especially those specializing in behavioral therapy -- all treat OCD.

Resources to Find Doctors

• NIMH: How to get help for anxiety disorders
• Anxiety Disorders Association of America: Find a Therapist

The Emotional Roller Coaster

Living with OCD can be a challenge. Do your best to continue living your life normally, participating in the same daily activities you've always done. Support groups can also be useful in maintaining a healthy outlook and controlling OCD symtpoms:

Obsessive Compulsive Foundation: Search for a Support Group

OCDTribe: Online Community

Books Survivors Recommend

• Brain Lock: Free Yourself From Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior by Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Beverly Beyette
• Kissing Doorknobs by Terry Spencer Hesser
• The OCD Workbook by Bruce M. Hyman and Cherry Pedrick   

Communicating with Your Health-care Providers

• Find a doctor you feel comfortable talking to, who's willing to take the time to answer all your questions in language you can understand.
• Write down any questions you have before your appointment and bring them with you. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification on anything you're unclear on.

Dealing with OCD: Information for Co-Survivors         

How You Can Help

• Be patient; OCD can be difficult to manage and won't simply disappear. Support your friend or family member and remind them to be patient with themselves as well.

What to Say    

• "I'm here to support you."
• "Tell me what you need."
• "I care about you and your recovery."
  

What Not to Say

• "Just stop being so fussy."
• "Your behavior is really irritating and you need to cut it out."

Things You Can Do for a Survivor Every Day

• Offer to participate in family therapy.
• Help your survivor feel less self-conscious about compulsive behaviors.
• Don't let anyone try to "break" the survivor of his/her habits.

How to Build a Support Network

• Set up your TSC co-survivor profile.
• Create a support group for your friend or family member.
• Interact and provide updates on your loved one.

When you've gotten your OCD largely under control and are feeling as if you're in recovery, this can be a good time to assess and share with others how you feel emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. By telling your story, you can not only put into perspective your thoughts and feelings but you can provide hope to others who are going through a similar journey themselves.  

Remission / Recovery / Recurrence

If OCD recurs you may need to simply recommit to the treatment plan you were on (if you weren't following it as prescribed by your doctor) or it may be that that treatment wasn't the right one for you or is no longer working. In any case, it's time to contact your doctor again to look into a different therapeutic approach. Sometimes, OCD is related to other conditions like depression or bipolar disorder, that will need to be treated as well:

About.com: Anxiety Disorders - Complications

If you're looking for inspiration on the road back to sucessfully managing your OCD, these sites offer just that:

Obsessive Compulsive Foundation: Group Success Stories 

Phobics-Awareness.org: OCD My Story, Help and Support for OCD 

Give Back

What helped you while you were dealing with the diagnosis, undergoing treatment, and realized you had recovered? Take a look back at your journey and share with others what helped you and what you wished you would have known or done during your OCD experience. You can create a TSC profile, reach out to other survivors, join support circles, and/or share your story by following the links at The Survivors Club.

Check out one of the great charities for supporting OCD research and offering support to survivors:

Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation: Support the OC Foundation