OCD is not an adjective — it’s a serious disorder. And while we’re all feeling a heightened level of anxiety at this time, it does not mean that we all have OCD, or that having OCD could ever be a good thing. Here’s what the OCD community wants you to know about “Real OCD” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about “Real OCD” at iocdf.org/about-ocd.
Please help the IOCDF spread this message by sharing the “Real OCD” PSA with friends, family, and others. This way they can be educated on what OCD actually is–and what it is not. This will help eliminate the stigma around this disorder and help prevent people from claiming they are “sooo OCD.”
The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) has been holding multiple live town hall panels, featuring Q&A segments each week. These panels featuring top treatment providers and advocates in the field. The aim is to provide resources and support to the OCD community during a time when many individuals in the community are struggling with the COVID-19 virus– and the isolation and life-style change that has been brought along with the virus.
Recently, the IOCDF provided three town halls for OCD related disorders: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and two for Hoarding Disorder (part two of the BDD town hall series will occur on Monday, May 11th, 2020 at 10am PST / 1pm EST).
Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a mental illness involving obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance. The flaw may be minor or imagined. However, the person may spend hours a day trying to fix it. The person may try many cosmetic procedures or exercise to excess. People with this disorder may frequently examine their appearance in a mirror, constantly compare their appearance with that of others, and avoid social situations or photos. Watch the live-stream here:
Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs. Watch the two-part live-stream here:
A discussion about Hoarding Disorder in the time of COVID-19 with With Ethan Smith, Lee Shuer, Becca Belofsky, Randy Frost, PhD, and Robin Zasio, PsyD.
These town halls, along with previous videos, can be found on both the IOCDF’s Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/IOCDF or their Youtube Channel: www.Youtube.com/IOCDF. Their Facebook page also provides a listing of upcoming town halls as well.
For many individuals, having obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be isolating and lonely. Although in-person support groups are helpful, many individuals struggle to leave their house, or have difficulty showing up to places on time. Also, there may not be a support group located near their home.
Wendy Mueller, an individual with OCD, has a solution for that. She has moderated an active OCD online support group for nearly three decades. Although the group recently changed servers when Yahoo decided to stop running online support groups last fall, her online support group is stronger than ever with a high-number of members offering support to one another.
The group moderator, Wendy Mueller, is well-recovered from severe OCD and has been leading online OCD support groups for over 28 years. The group is also moderated by Dr. James Claiborn, a psychologist who has specialized in using cognitive behavioral therapy to treat patients with OCD and related disorders for over 30 years. Both Wendy and Dr. Claiborn are recipients of the Patricia Perkins Service Award from the International OCD Foundation.
Wendy Mueller
Dr. Claiborn
This group offers support and guidance relating to OCD and its treatment for people with OCD, as well as their family members and friends. This group focuses on helping people with OCD improve their lives through the use of the evidence-based treatments of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), including exposure and response prevention (ERP), and the proven OCD medications.
In order to sign up to be a member of this free group, please visit the group’s website: https://groups.io/g/OCD-Support.If you have any further questions about the OCD Support online group, please email the group’s moderator Wendy Mueller: wmueller@roadrunner.com.
The below links also allow you to register to post, subscribe, unsubscribe, email the group owner, or get help information if you are having difficulty:
Click on this link to register for the free event: REGISTER HERE
Sunday, April 19th at 11am PST, there is a free support group for anyone with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or who is having a hard time right now. The group offers individuals the opportunity to share their struggles, hear from other attendees, discuss pertinent topics, and get their questions answered from mental health professionals. The group is open to individuals, family members, loved ones, and therapists.
The group will be ran by Chris Trondsen, M.S., AMFT, APCC, who serves as Vice President of OCD Southern California & Anna Liljenwall, an active member of OCD So Cal and a mental health recovery and empowerment coach.
The group is utilizing the application, Zoom, and allows people to join via the provided Zoom link or by calling the phone number given once you have registered. To download Zoom and to get instructions on how to use the application, go here: https://zoom.us
Community support during these difficult times is essential; we hope to see you there!
