Through candid personal stories and interviews, this real, raw, and emotional documentary dispels the common myths surrounding OCD. It takes an in-depth look at the disorder and the toll it takes on sufferers and families—-all while underscoring the reality that there is always help and always hope. The documentary is directed by Ethan Smith, an OCD sufferer himself, and features OCD Southern California board members Chris and Elizabeth Trondsen. Please watch and share!
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.
