THE LATEST IOCDF OCD NEWSLETTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE:
COUNTRY SINGER LUKE COMBS TALKS ABOUT HIS OCD (Posted March 11, 2025)
Country singer Luke Combs, despite his immense public success, privately battles a challenging form of obsessive-compulsive disorder known as Pure O
(A form of OCD where compulsions are primarily internal, mental rituals, rather than outward actions, like handwashing or checking, characterized by intrusive thoughts and crippling anxiety.) He describes experiencing a significant flare-up during his recent Australian tour, revealing that these thoughts are a daily struggle. Unlike typical OCD, his condition isn't marked by visible compulsions, but rather an internal battle with unwanted, stressful thoughts.
Combs has learned to manage his Pure O, becoming "an expert" in navigating flare-ups, even while performing to massive crowds. He hopes his openness about his mental health will inspire others, demonstrating that success and personal struggles can coexist. He emphasizes that even superstars face challenges, and encourages those struggling to pursue their dreams. Combs's relatable persona and genuine connection with his fans, along with his musical talent, contribute to his widespread popularity.
To read the entire article on the 60 Minutes Australia website, click
here.
SHOCKING STUDY REVEALS THAT ONLY 6.9% OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS GET EFFECTIVE TREATMENT (Posted February 18, 2025)
A global study found that only 6.9% of individuals with mental health or substance use disorders receive effective treatment, mainly due to a lack of recognition and inadequate care. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and Harvard Medical School analyzed data from nearly 57,000 participants across 21 countries, revealing critical gaps in the treatment process. The biggest barrier is that many people do not recognize their need for help, and even those who seek medical care often do not receive adequate or effective treatment. The study highlights the need for better-trained general practitioners and evidence-based policy investments in mental health.
The research identified key drop-off points in the treatment process, showing that only 46.5% of those with a disorder recognized their need for care, and just 34.1% sought medical help. While 82.9% of those who did seek help received a minimum level of treatment, only 47% of them ultimately received effective care. These findings emphasize the need to train general practitioners in diagnosing and treating mild to moderate conditions and referring severe cases to specialists. The study provides a crucial evidence base to guide policy and funding decisions, helping policymakers target investments that improve access to effective mental health care worldwide.
To read the entire article on the SciTechDaily website, click
here.
THE WASHINGTON COMMANDERS’ KICKER WRESTLES WITH OCD. THAT’S INSPIRING. (Posted January 27, 2025)
Zane Gonzalez, kicker for the NFL's Washington Commanders, lives with OCD, a condition that intertwines his daily routines and professional life. Whether it’s brushing his teeth, setting an alarm, or preparing for a high-stakes playoff kick, his life revolves around repetitive rituals that he cannot escape. These urges, like adjusting his socks and helmet repeatedly before a game, may seem odd or comical to others but are essential for him to feel “just right.” While OCD can be exhausting and isolating, Gonzalez channels its demands into his craft, treating every kick — from an extra point to a game-winning field goal — as a routine perfected through muscle memory and precise mental patterns.
For Gonzalez, OCD paradoxically helps calm his nerves during the most stressful moments of his career, such as his 37-yard playoff-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite the visible quirks, which have now become a source of curiosity for teammates, Gonzalez’s ability to perform under pressure is nothing short of inspirational. Experts highlight how most OCD sufferers endure their struggles in private, making his openness and success remarkable. As Gonzalez prepares for another critical game on Sunday, January 26, 2025, with a potential Super Bowl berth on the line, his journey reflects the resilience required to live and thrive with OCD, turning a perceived limitation into a unique advantage.
To read the entire article on the Washington Post website, click
here.
HOW STAND-UP HELPS A COMEDIAN HELP HIS OCD (Posted January 6, 2025)
Kevin Turner is a comedian and mental health advocate who uses his platform to share his experiences with OCD and related challenges. Diagnosed with OCD years after being misdiagnosed with anxiety during his time in the military, Kevin now incorporates his journey into his comedy routines. His show, Obsessive Comedy Disorder, blends dark humor and personal stories to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage conversations about mental health. Through his performances, he highlights the importance of therapy and support while helping audiences laugh at life’s messier, uncomfortable realities.
Kevin’s approach is both therapeutic and purposeful, using comedy as a form of exposure therapy to confront his intrusive thoughts and share his vulnerabilities. He credits organizations like the IOCDF and ADAA, as well as personal connections like his supportive aunt, who has OCD similar to his and is a member of IOCDF, for helping him navigate his mental health journey. For Kevin, the most rewarding part of his work is when people tell him after shows that his honesty helped them feel less alone or recognize their own struggles. His goal is to foster understanding, encourage treatment, and find healing—one joke at a time.
To read Kevin's article on the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) website, click
here.
IOCDF CONFERENCE SERIES (Posted January 2, 2025)
IOCDF is thrilled to offer a variety of conferences — both in-person and virtual — for all those impacted by OCD and related disorders. They encourage the global network of people with live experienced, family members and supporters, mental health professionals, researchers, educators, and students to join them for community, collaboration, and education.
THIS IS WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO HAVE OCD, ACCORDING TO 4 PEOPLE LIVING WITH IT
(Posted November 4, 2024)
What do you think of when you hear the term “OCD”?
In pop culture, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder are often portrayed as meticulous to an extreme degree. They’re highly organized, perfectionistic, or germophobic — like Jack Nicholson’s character in the film "As Good As It Gets", who tosses out bars of soap after using them once.
Depictions like that aren’t inaccurate, but they’re not the whole story.
Research shows that 1 in 40 American adults have OCD or will develop it at some point in their lives, according to the International OCD Foundation. Although the term “OCD” is often used casually, the disorder must be diagnosed by a medical professional.
NPR wanted to take a closer look at how people with OCD cope with it every day. Click
here to read the article.
AN NPR/PROPUBLICA INVESTIGATION (Posted September 3, 2024)
An NPR/ProPublica investigation found that therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists who join insurance networks often leave, largely because of challenges from insurers to get reimbursed for treatment. Click
here to watch the video.
FINDING A THERAPIST WHO TAKES YOUR INSURANCE CAN BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. HERE'S WHY... (Posted August 26, 2024)
They studied, honed their skills and opened practices, joining health insurance networks that put them within reach of people who couldn’t afford to pay for sessions out of pocket. So did hundreds of other psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists who shared their experiences. But one after another, they confronted a system set up to squeeze them out. Although federal law requires insurers to provide the same access to mental and physical health care, these companies have been caught, time and again, shortchanging customers with mental illness — restricting coverage and delaying or denying treatment. Click
here to read the article.
PODCAST FEATURING THE DIRECTOR OF THE YALE OCD RESEARCH CLINIC (Posted June 26, 2024)
In this
NYU Langone Insights on Psychiatry podcast,
Dr. Christopher Pittenger, Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine and Director of the Yale OCD Research Clinic, is interviewed about the biology and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including novel potential treatments such as psychedelics, neurofeedback, glutamate modulators, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Also discussed is why OCD is so underdiagnosed and what clinicians can do to spot it.
Dr. Pittenger was a guest speaker at a recent
OCD Connecticut Lecture Series event at Yale on June 18, 2024, where he discussed the same topics. Click
here to go to the podcast.

Dr. Pittenger, a renowned psychiatry researcher, is a leading figure in the field. He earned his MD and Ph.D. from Columbia University and later returned to Yale University, his undergraduate alma mater, for research and residency. Pittenger's research focuses on the brain's role in creating thought, feeling, and consciousness, as well as how brain dysregulation leads to mental suffering. His work has been particularly focused on OCD and Tourette syndrome, and the cortico-basal ganglia circuitry. He co-founded the Yale Program for Psychedelic Science, focusing on how molecules like psilocybin and LSD can teach us about brain and behavior, potentially leading to new treatments for neuropsychiatric pathology. Pittenger is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation and OCD Connecticut, and a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, American Psychiatric Association, and American Neurological Association.
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/.
THE OCD ADVANTAGE ONLINE FORUM (Posted June 20, 2024)
The OCD Advantage is an online forum created by Joseph Ettinger. Joseph has struggled with OCD his entire life. He’s been on and off medications, has done ERP therapy, and tried every tactic in the book. And now, he has completely restructured his relationship with OCD. For so long, he struggled to find an online community that truly felt like a community. He struggled to feel like he was getting to know others; there was a lack of interaction, collaboration, networking, and more. That is why he started
The OCD Advantage. Joseph plans to make this the most collaborative, interactive, and networkable community to date. In time, you'll find vibrant dialogue and collaboration, resource sharing, courses and lessons that he is putting together, virtual meet-ups, and more. But above all else, you'll find AUTHENTIC AND LASTING FRIENDSHIPS BEING FORMED. Click
here to go to the forum.
AVOIDANCE PREDICTS WORSE LONG-TERM OUTCOMES FROM INTENSIVE OCD TREATMENT (Posted May 1, 2024)
According to a recent investigation, behavioral avoidance may reduce the long-term effectiveness of exposure and response prevention (ERP), a popular treatment for OCD. Click
here to read more.
REACH ADULT OCD AND ANXIETY DISORDERS TRACK PROGRAM (Posted March 27, 2024)
OCD affects approximately one person in 40 and causes great suffering and disability. Effective evidence-based treatments are available but are difficult for many patients to access. Specialty programs can provide expert psychotherapeutic care and pharmacological management that is difficult to access in other settings.
The OCD and Anxiety Disorders Track Program, which accepts government and Connecticut state insurance, has grown quickly and has succeeded in its first year in providing effective, expert care to patients in southern Connecticut seeking help with the symptoms of OCD and related conditions.
The OCD treatment community is small, but the need for high-quality intervention is high. Click here to download the REACH OCD IOP program flyer. If you have any questions, you may contact the Program Director, Brian Zaboski (brian.zaboski@yale.edu), Medical Director, Fatima Motiwala (fatima.motiwala@bpthosp.org), or Program Manager, Jennifer Naughton (jennifer.naughton@bpthosp.org). You can also call Bridgeport Hospital’s REACH main phone number (203-384-3377). Their website is: https://www.bridgeporthospital.org/services/mental-health/reach-program.
LEARN ABOUT INFERENCE-BASED CBT (Posted November 17, 2023)
Inference-based Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (I-CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that is a new approach to treating OCD. It is based on the central idea that obsessions are abnormal doubts about what “could be”, or “might be” (e.g. “I might have left the stove on”; “I might be contaminated”; “I might be a deviant”).
According to this approach, obsessional doubts do not come out of the blue, but they arise as the result of a dysfunctional reasoning narrative that is characterized by a tendency to distrust the senses and an over-reliance on the imagination. As a result, obsessional doubts are able to persist without ever being resolved by carrying out compulsions.
I-CBT is a cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT), but it is different from standard cognitive-behavioral approaches to the treatment of OCD.
To learn more about I-CBT, go to
icbt.online.
SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES: GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS, FAMILY, AND CAREGIVERS OF THOSE WITH OCD (Posted November 8, 2023)
IOCDF is so happy to announce the launch of its new livestream series, Supporting Our Families, with a premiere air date of Thursday, November 9th at 7pm ET (4pm PT) on YouTube!
This livestream event will be an interactive discussion dedicated to parents and loved ones of individuals of all ages living with OCD. Join JACK Mental Health Advocacy (MHA) founder, IOCDF Advocate, and mom Kim Vincenty, along with parent and IOCDF Advocate Chris Baier, and IOCDF experts, Natasha Daniels, LCSW, and Jon Hershfield, MFT as they explore the topics that are important to you.
If you have questions about accommodating and reassurance, finding the right therapist, dealing with treatment resistance, or the many other unique issues facing parents of those with OCD, this event is for you.
Mark your calendars and we hope to see you there!
BEHAVIORAL WELLNESS CLINIC OCD SUPPORT GROUP (Posted June 30, 2023)
The OCD Support Group at the
Behavioral Wellness Clinic (Tolland, CT), led by
Dr. Monnica Williams and Mailae Halstead,
meets for one hour every Tuesday at 4-5 pm EST on Zoom. The group consists of adults who have been suffering from OCD and are looking for a support-oriented group. The group can be used as an adjunct to psychotherapy, where people can speak about experience on exposure homework assignments, OCD related concerns that arise in life situations, or struggles engaging in activities due to their OCD. Other experienced group members can give advice on how to stay on track and how to overcome the obstacles they may be facing.
If you are interested, please contact them by phone at 860-830-7838 or email them at
admin@behavioralwellnessclinic.com for more information. Meeting information will then be sent to you.
Note: The fee is $45 per session, but they offer a sliding scale to those with financial hardships.
OCD EXPOSURE AND RESPONSE PREVENTION (ERP) WEBINAR TRAINING PROGRAM (Posted April 13, 2023)
Stress and Anxiety Services of NJ, an independent practice specializing in OCD treatment and providing telehealth services to 33 states is offering a new OCD ERP webinar training program, which begins in late April 2023 and continues with monthly webinars throughout the remainder of the year. Designed for professionals and offering Continuing Education credits for psychologists, it is also open, for a very reduced rate, to the general public. People can register for individual webinars, or for the whole series at an even further reduced rate.
Link to ALL webinars.
INTERNATIONAL OCD FOUNDATION BLOG (Posted February 23, 2023)
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) works hard to raise public awareness about OCD and related disorders. As part of this mission, they have created a blog containing a variety of information regarding OCD.
Visit the blog.
CBT SCHOOL - AN ONLINE PLATFORM (Posted January 17, 2023)
Kimberley Quinlan is the founder of
CBT School, which offers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for OCD, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. Her training heavily emphasized the practice of Mindfulness for the management of anxiety, depression, and stress. CBT School is an online platform that offers support and educational products for those who struggle with OCD, BFRB's and Anxiety Disorders. Kimberley provides evidence-based treatment modalities for OCD, Anxiety Disorders, and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors such as Trichotillomania and Skin Picking. Her hope is to provide resources to those who desperately need support and help and inspiration.
Click
here for more information about what CBT School has to offer.
OCD CT - OCD AWARENESS WEEK SUMMARY (Posted October 26, 2022)

OCD Connecticut
(OCD CT) held two major events to celebrate OCD Awareness Week (October 9-15, 2022):
OCD Awareness Week Colloquium – OCD: Getting Help and Support for Recovery
An estimated 150 individuals attended the Thursday evening, October 13 session at Sacred Heart University (SHU) led by SHU professor emeritus and OCD CT clinical board advisor Dr. Christina Taylor. Panel members included OCD CT and Fairfield County OCD Support Group members. The discussion focused on OCD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment - as well as audience questions. The presentation was part of the SHU Human Journey Colloquia 2022 Series.
View a PowerPoint presentation shown at the event.
See photos from the event.
The One Million Steps for OCD Walk
The 1.3 mile Saturday morning, October 15 walk at Jennings Beach (Fairfield) was designed to promote increased awareness and a supportive community for the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) and its State affiliate, OCD CT. It also enabled OCD CT to raise funds for the OCD/related disorders community. Attendees enjoyed the beautiful outdoor opportunity to meet and greet each other and exchange information while embracing life’s uncertainty, one step at a time.
Future Events
OCD CT intends to hold more events during the Spring and Fall of 2023. Virtual as well as in-person sessions will be considered to optimize their Statewide mission of education and outreach. They hope you can be part of these activities.
As always, OCD CT welcomes your feedback. You can follow them at
www.ocdct.org and on
Facebook and
Instagram.
THE OCDOPUS-AN OCD ADVOCACY & RECOVERY SHOP
Elise Petronzio is the founder of
the ocdopus, an OCD advocacy & recovery shop. Elise has had OCD since she was at least six years old. She often thought about things she would love to buy for herself or her friends with OCD. As a result, she started taking those ideas and making them into products that people could actually buy and give to each other.
the ocdopus sells hats, shirts, stickers, sweatshirts, accessories, and jewelry. People give these products to their friends, family members, children, therapists, clients, and support groups. These items spread awareness of what OCD is and what the recovery process entails, in addition to showing solidarity in fighting both the disorder itself and the stigma surrounding it.

Connect with the OCD Community!
The IOCDF offers the Peace of Mind Virtual Community! There, members of the OCD and related disorders community will find resources to learn, share stories, and support one another.
They have all-new livestreams for those with OCD and related disorders, supporters, researchers, and clinicians.
Check out their refreshed content and the current month's schedule!
OCD CONNECTICUT LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
OCD Connecticut, an affiliate of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), is looking to find local volunteers. OCD Connecticut offers several ways to volunteer, including community outreach, project committees, events, and the annual 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us by email at
ct.ocdf@gmail.com.
LOST PERSPECTIVE? TRY THIS LINGUISTIC TRICK TO RESET YOUR VIEW (Posted September 20, 2021)
In the 2nd century CE, in the sunset of his life, the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius began recording meditations on how he had lived. The questions he asked himself are the same ones many of us find ourselves asking today: how does a person live a meaningful life? How does one find resilience in the face of suffering? What does it mean to be happy?
Read the entire article on Psyche Digital Magazine.
The TLC Foundation is happy to announce the creation of
Imani, a virtual Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior (BFRB) support group for Black Young Adults ages 18-35 fostering faith, hope, and community.
This group meets biweekly on Sundays from 3-4 pm ET starting Sunday, June, 13th 2021 - launching just in time for Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Month in June!
Follow Imani on Instagram for all updates at @imanibfrb
Contact Imani at
imanibfrb@gmail.com with any questions/concerns.
Register for the support group and sign up for its mailing list by going to
https://forms.gle/khwWf6WuHwPYxMtG9
Registration is required to attend this group! After registering, you will receive the link to the Zoom meeting in a follow-up and reminder email.
YOUNG PERSON OCD SOCIAL GROUP (Posted November 15, 2020)
If you are interested in making a few new friends and building community amongst other young people who you can relate to during the difficult time of COVID-19, please reach out to Olivia Groell (
ogroell@bowdoin.edu). We could plan fun, socially distanced (& Covid conscious) de-stress activities to get out of our everyday routines. Some possible ideas are hikes, walks, bike rides, and runs (weather permitting). Olivia looks forward to hearing from you!
RESOURCES FOR THE OCD AND RELATED DISORDERS COMMUNITY DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK (Posted March 26, 2020)
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.
JOIN IOCDF'S NEW ONLINE COMMUNITY FORUM! (Posted March 3, 2020)
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.
Click here to learn more about My OCD Community.
CLUTTERS ANONYMOUS (March 18, 2019)
Clutterers Anonymous (CLA) is a Fellowship of compulsive clutterers who practice a 12-Step and 12-Tradition program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous® (A.A.®). Just as alcoholics join A.A. to arrest the disease of alcoholism, and gamblers join Gamblers Anonymous to arrest the compulsion to gamble, we join CLA to arrest the compulsion to clutter, one day at a time.
Anyone may join CLA, regardless of age, gender, race, color, nationality, or creed. To begin its program, it is not necessary to understand fully why we clutter. There is only one requirement for CLA membership: the desire to stop cluttering.
There are no strings attached to the CLA program of recovery. There are no initiation fees or dues. It is self-supporting through its own contributions. It is not affiliated with any religious, legal, or political group or connected to any outside enterprise. Its Fellowship is based on suggestion, interchange of experience, rotation of leadership, and service.
Go to CLA's website.
In Fairfield County, a Clutters Anonymous group is currently being held in Greenwich, CT at Christ Church, 254 East Putnam Avenue. Meetings are held every Tuesday from 1pm to 2pm. in the Family Room. For more information, contact Judy F. at 203-561-5139 or clutterCT@gmail.com.
ANXIETY IN THE CLASSROOM WEBSITE (October 10, 2018)
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.
Go to their website.
CONNECTICUT COLLEGE STUDENT ON A MISSION OF AWARENESS AND STRENGTH (Connecticut Post, September 23, 2018)
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.
Read the article.
NEW FILM EXPLORES ANXIETY, ITS CAUSES, EFFECTS AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT (September 18, 2018)
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.
WITH SHORT, INTENSE SESSIONS, SOME PATIENTS FINISH THERAPY IN JUST WEEKS (New York Times, August 13, 2018)
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.
Read the article.
PERFECTIONISM IN YOUNG CHILDREN MAY INDICATE OCD RISK (July 26, 2018)
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.
Read the article.
NEW OCD TREATMENT STUDY AT YALE! (May 22, 2018)
At our May 2018 group meeting, we were honored to have Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD speak to our group. He is the director of the Yale OCD Research Clinic, based at
CMHC (The Connecticut Mental Health Center) in New Haven, CT.
Dr. Pittenger explained that the clinic currently has a range of studies running, running the gamut from cognitive testing to neuroimaging to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment studies. He especially highlighted a new treatment study currently being conducted for adults with refractory OCD.
Click here for more information.
SPOTLIGHT: OCD NEWS AND RESEARCH UPDATES (May 10, 2018)
It’s sometimes said that Spring is a time for new beginnings, and to celebrate the IOCDF is incredibly excited to share that they are bringing back its Spotlight: OCD News & Research Updates!
Spotlight is the IOCDF's monthly series that brings the absolute latest in OCD news and research right to your email inbox. There they feature compelling stories from advocates and cutting-edge research from the scientific community. In Spotlight, they put a special focus on the important work of its Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board experts, as well as the research and discoveries made possible through its Research Grant Program. They’re excited to be back, and look forward to sharing Spotlight with you each month!
If you would like to sign up, please click
here to make sure that each month's update arrives right in your inbox.
EXCORIATION (SKIN PICKING) DISORDER, AKA DERMATILLOMANIA (May 10, 2018)
Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder is an obsessive-compulsive spectrum condition in which sufferers repeatedly pick at their skin. Crystal Quater, MMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses her personal experience with, and recovery from, Excoriation Disorder, and how she treats clients struggling with this condition.
Read the article.
UNDERSTANDING RELIGIOUS OCD IN CHILDREN (April 9, 2018)
In families with religious beliefs, a child expressing faith and strong moral principles is usually a welcome development. But sometimes a child’s faith may become an obsession, and instead of consolation the child experiences extreme anxiety that he is violating religious norms and desperation to correct his perceived mistakes. This is what happens when children develop obsessive-compulsive disorder and it manifests itself in their religion.
Read the article.
UNSTUCK: AN OCD KIDS MOVIE (February 3, 2018)
When your brain is the problem how do you fix it? Thousands of kids, teens and adults with OCD are searching for answers to this question. They're trapped in a vicious cycle of worries and rituals. While families and loved ones are desperate to help them, fighting OCD takes time and specialized therapy.
To uncover what OCD is, and what it isn’t, filmmakers Kelly Anderson and Chris Baier focus on an unlikely group of experts: Kids!
UNSTUCK documents OCD strictly through the eyes of young people. The short documentary avoids sensationalizing compulsions and obsessions, and instead reveals the complexity of a disorder that affects the brain and behavior. As these six resilient kids and teens roadmap their process of recovery, the film inspires viewers to believe it is possible to fight their worst fears and beat back OCD.
For more information, visit
www.ocdkidsmovie.com.
ANNOUNCING NEW EXPERT ARTICLES ON THE IOCDF WEBSITE! (January 15, 2018)
We understand that for people living with OCD, family members, and professionals who treat OCD and related disorders, it can sometimes be a challenge to find comprehensive information that addresses your specific needs. In addition, with all of the information out there, it can be difficult to know what sources are vetted and trustworthy.
The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) understands these challenges. That is why it collaborates with leading experts to bring you informative and accurate information about the latest therapy, research, and treatment in OCD and related disorders. In 2018, it is its goal to ensure that more of this information is available to you on its website. That's why it has recently revamped its "Expert Opinions" section to now be called "From the Experts", and include even more relevant and informative articles.
Its "From the Experts" section includes articles that are relevant and accessible to people living with OCD and their loved ones, as well as to mental health professionals. Its articles go beyond what it covers in its "Learn More About OCD" sections, in order to provide more in-depth looks at various areas of OCD management and treatment.
Read the articles.
7 THINGS I WISH PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD ABOUT OCD (BuzzFeed.com, October 3, 2017)
Even though I’m not obsessed with monsters under the bed anymore, when something unpleasant comes up, like getting called in for jury duty, my mind automatically brings me to the irrational worst case. There are 7 things I wish people understood about OCD.
Read the article.
OCD IS "FAKE NEWS" (September 13, 2017)
By now, virtually anyone with even a passing interest in politics and current events has heard the term “fake news”. If you haven’t heard this term, just turn on a cable news channel on any given day and you are bound to hear a news story (or ten) about how we are being inundated with fake news that is designed to alter our political beliefs (and our votes). Regardless of your political persuasion, a Google search of the term “fake news” will lead you to a multitude of articles that describe somebody (or some country) that is presenting reality in a distorted fashion in an attempt to persuade you to see things their way. So what does this have to with OCD?
Read an article that will explain.
OCD CONNECTICUT HAS PARTNERED WITH AMAZON SMILE (August 15, 2017)
OCD Connecticut is happy to announce that it now has an AmazonSmile account. Whenever you shop on AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to OCD Connecticut. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Shop at its AmazonSmile site.
SMALL STUDY FINDS SIGNS OF BRAIN INFLAMMATION IN PATIENTS WITH OCD (August 22, 2017)
In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers have found signs of inflammation within the neurocircuitry associated with adult obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The findings were reported June 21, 2017 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Until now, only a small percentage of OCD cases have been linked to inflammation, occurring in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia -- potentially as the result of childhood infection. The Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada now uses recent advances in positron emission tomography or PET scanning to identify inflammation in multiple parts of the brain involved in OCD.
Read the full article.
28 PEOPLE SHARE HOW THEY KEEP FROM PICKING THEIR SKIN - Genius Strategies From People Who Deal With It (BuzzFeed.com, January 15, 2017)
Excoriation (also known as dermatillomania) is a disorder that causes people to repetitively touch, rub, scratch, pick at, or dig into their skin in ways that result in physical damage — like skin disfigurement, discoloration, bleeding, or scarring. Effective treatment often involves professional help, but there are tricks some people have found helpful — physically, emotionally, or otherwise — for dealing with skin-picking.
Click here to learn these tricks.
MAKE A VIDEO FOR IOCDF (May 24, 2017)
Mental illness doesn't discriminate -- and everyone deserves access to effective treatment for OCD and related disorders. As part of its diversity initiative, The International OCD Foundation needs the participation of the greater OCD community to help spread the word. Here is how:
1) The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) would like to make a video accessible to everyone, so they are seeking participants who speak a language in addition to English to participate. If you speak a non-English language, please make a video of yourself saying the phrase “Effective treatment for everyone” in your chosen language.
2) Once recorded, please upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo, and include how the phrase would be written in your chosen language.
3) Contact The International OCD Foundation by sharing your video on Facebook or Twitter using the
#IOCDF4ALL, or by messaging them on Facebook or emailing them at
info@IOCDF.org to share the link to your video and let us know that you have participated.
They will edit all of these videos together and if yours is chosen, you will see this video on its website, social media and at the Annual OCD Conference. For more info, go to
https://www.facebook.com/IOCDF/.
LATEST OCD NEWS FROM THE IOCDF!

The
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) works hard to raise public awareness about OCD and related disorders and our programs. Visit the links below for some of the many news stories featuring the IOCDF and its affiliates. Visit the
IOCDF blog for all the latest news.
- Chicago Tribune (October 21, 2016) — The challenges of dating with OCD
- Metro Boston (October 17, 2016) — Foundation marks 30 years of building awareness of OCD
- Washington Post (October 11, 2016) — What obsessive-compulsive disorder does to a young mind when it grows unchecked
- NECN’s The Take (October 10, 2016) — Raising OCD Awareness
- The Atlantic (September 29, 2016) — Hoarding in the Time of Marie Kondo
- Mashable (September 12, 2016) — The scary, intrusive thoughts you can only confess to a search engine
- AMI Newswire (September 9, 2016) — New partnership may help treat obsessive compulsive disorder
- WGN TV (July 29, 2016) — OCD sufferers fight anxiety with improv comedy
- Psychology Today (July 27, 2016) — The International OCD Conference: A Focus on Compassion
DOUBT, DENIAL and OCD (September 14, 2016)
The OCD Center of Los Angeles has just published its most recent blog article,
"Doubt, Denial and OCD". This article looks at "The Denial Obsession", in which OCD sufferers obsess that they do not really have OCD, and are merely "in denial".
Read the article.
CHRISTINA J. TAYLOR, PH.D ANNOUNCES HER NEW OCD BOOK! (January 23, 2016)
Our support group's co-moderator, Dr. Christina Taylor, announces the release of her new book,
"OCD: A Workbook for Clinicians, Children and Teens; Actions to Beat, Control & Defeat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder". This book is a user-friendly, creative and interactive book to help children and teens take control of OCD. With specific chapters for each type of OCD, children and teens will learn cognitive behavioral strategies to overcome their obsessions and compulsions. The book contains:
- Step-by-step worksheets and exercises to break free of OCD.
- Strategies for contamination, checking, worrisome thoughts, perfectionism, hoarding and religious obsessions and compulsions.
- Relaxation and thinking skills to manage anxiety.
- Use Actions, to Beat, Control and Defeat -- the ABCDs of OCD to effectively conquer symptoms.
The book is available on
Amazon.com and
Pesi.com.
JANUARY EDITION OF "SPOTLIGHT: OCD NEWS AND RESEARCH UPDATES" (January 6, 2016)
International OCD Foundation's (IOCDF)
first 2016 edition of
Spotlight: OCD Research News & Updates is out now! The January update includes the latest in research news and information on obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) with a special research highlight on
hoarding disorder (HD).
This series is also available via email so you can receive the latest research news and information directly in your email inbox. Sign up to receive future issues of
Spotlight by going
here and selecting the “Spotlight” option on our email signup form.
TELL TARGET: SHOULD OCD REALLY BE A SOURCE OF HOLIDAY CHEER? (IOCDF, November 11, 2015)
OCD can destroy lives without proper treatment. But that’s okay because the acronym is funny, edgy, and makes for great jokes on silly and cute holiday sweaters. Many individuals and organizations have shared their disappointment and frustration with a
Christmas sweater available now in Target stores across the US that declares whoever wears it a sufferer of “OCD: Obsessive Christmas Disorder.” Let’s help Target understand why this OCD sweater is more than just a silly joke. Continue messaging, tweeting, and emailing Target to let them know how their sweater furthers the stigma and obstacles OCD sufferers too often face in accessing treatment.
Get in the holiday spirit by tweeting @Target with a photo of you in your favorite ugly Christmas sweater to show Target you’d rather your holiday spirit come dressed in hideous shades of red and green with way too many details and embellishments rather than an inaccurate and dismissive message about OCD. Let Target know this holiday season, you’d rather wear ugly sweaters over lame ones.
Mental Illnesses 'Not All in the Mind' (Straits Times, October 2015)
A study of mental illness literary by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Singapore found that nine out of ten respondents believe that those with a mental disorder "could get better if they wanted to," while half also saw mental illness as a sign of "personal weakness." Researchers say this stigmatizing mindset often prevents people from seeking treatment.
Read the article.
A Shocking Way to Fix the Brain (MIT Technology Review, October 2015)
Darin Dougherty, MD, of Massachusetts General Hospital and the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital is featured in a recent MIT Technology Review article for his work treating OCD with electric stimulation.
Read the article.
"40 BAGS IN 40 DAYS" Clutter Challenge Facebook Page
(June 20, 2015)
"40
BAGS IN 40 DAYS" is a
Facebook page where you can face a challenge designed to help you get
the clutter out of your home. You can have a bag, less than a bag, or
more than one bag a day. Furniture or big items count, as well as
boxes. Heck it all counts. :) The overall goal is to tackle your home a
spot at a time, GET RID OF STUFF, pace yourself, and be detached. Good
luck!
OCD
Facebook Page (October 13, 2014)

Checkout
the
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder / OCD Awareness
Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/ocd.ocd.
This
page
is
designed to provide information,
support, & resources for OCD. This is a great resource to
connect with others and share practical ideas.
Website is
new resource for young adult mental health (September 5, 2014)
TurningPointCT.org
is a new website developed by young people in Connecticut who are in
recovery from
mental health and substance use issues. While they're not clinicians,
they know what it’s like to feel alone, stressed, worried, sad and
angry.
They’ve lived through the ups and downs of self-harm, drugs and
alcohol,
and the struggle to find help. Fortunately, they found what worked for
them. Their goal is to provide information and support to help you
choose
your path so that you don’t have to struggle the way they did.
Visit the website.
CMS
announced they will not go forward with restrictions to anti-depressant
and anti-psychotic medications in Medicare Part D
The Center for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on March 10, 2014 that they will not
go forward with restrictions to anti-depressant and anti-psychotic
medications in the Medicare Part D program. This decision by CMS shows
what can be accomplished through grassroots advocacy! In its
announcement, CMS said that it will not seek any further changes to the
six protected classes of medications including mental health
medications in the Medicare Part D program without first receiving
additional stakeholder input.
Computer,
Web, and Smartphone-Based Self-Help Programs for OCD
New technologies have paved
the way for a wide variety of mobile treatment options for OCD,
including smartphone-based applications (aka "apps"), and internet and
computer-based software programs. These apps and programs have the
advantage of being widely accessible and, in some cases, can provide
lower cost alternatives to tradtional therapy. For more information,
click
here
to view the
OCD
Newsletter
article that attempts to provide a basic overview of these programs.
Click here for a list of smartphone apps.
OCD
Treatment Tip!
Every time you do an exposure
that makes you anxious, you are taking a step forward to conquering
your OCD.
IOCDF Uses Social Media!

Take
advantage of IOCDF's social media tools to stay more in touch with the
foundation's resources and information. To follow IOCDF on Facebook, go
to
Facebook.com/IOCDF.
To follow IOCDF on Twitter, go to
Twitter.com/IOCDF.
#OCDchat on Twitter!

Due
to the success of IOCDF's series of "Ask the Experts" Twitter chats
during OCD Awareness Week, they've decided to make this a regular
event. Join IOCDF on the 3rd Monday of each month at 8pm ET, while they
answer your questions about OCD treatments, resources, and any other
questions you may have about OCD. They will also occasionally host
guest experts to talk about special topics. It's free to participate...
all you need is a Twitter account. Find them with the hashtag #OCDchat.
Learn how to participate in a Twitter chat using
#OCDchat.
OCD Challenge Website

OCD
Challenge is an online, interactive, behavioral program designed to
help people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The program
was built by psychologists who are leaders in the field of behavior
therapy and have a specialization in the area of OCD. OCD Challenge has
three Modules: Assessment, Gaining Awareness and Intervention. Users
will be guided through the Modules and taught skills and strategies for
managing their OCD behavior. OCD Challenge uses the principles of
exposure and response prevention (the treatment of choice for OCD) to
help the user to confront and challenge their OCD. OCD Challenge is not
therapy and there is not a therapist on the other end of the computer
telling you what to do. Instead, OCD Challenge is a program built to
interact with the user in a way that is interesting, useful, and moves
the user toward change.
OCD Challenge is offering 6 months
free use
of its website with the promo code "POMA" to anyone who is interested.
You can access the website at
ocdchallenge.com.
For a virtual
tour of the website go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzR88HLawAg.
The International OCD Foundation
launches an "OCD in Kids" website

The
IOCDF is proud to announce its new website regarding OCD in kids and
teens. The foundation's goals in building this website are to educate
the general public about OCD, facilitate education and training of
mental health professionals, pediatricians, and school personnel,
support research into the causes of and effective treatments for
pediatric OCD, and improve access to resources for those with OCD and
their families, as well as clinicians and school personnel. To access
this website, go to
kids.iocdf.org.