Our late teens and twenties are a time of change and transition; of new experiences and routines. For almost everyone, these life adjustments can be difficult — and having obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can make them even harder.
Meet other young adults in the same stages of life as you, doing it all with the added challenge of OCD. If you’re 18-30 and have OCD or a related disorder, this is a chance to hear stories similar to your own, talk about common challenges and–most importantly–find community!
This virtual event is part of a special OCD Awareness Week celebration, which began in 2009 to reduce stigma around obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders. This year, the International OCD Foundation has multiple ways for people to get involved. For more info and events, visit iocdf.org/ocdweek.
One of our speakers from our recent 5th annual conference, Meggie Tran, will be speaking on The Nomadic Network on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 5pm PST! This talk is for OCD Awareness Week 2021!
The title of the talk is: “Perspective: Traveling with a Mental Illness”
Here is a description of what the talk will be about:
Mental health conditions shouldn’t stop you from traveling.
It’s Meggie’s mission to destigmatize mental illnesses through travel. In this talk, Meggie Tran will share what they’ve done while traveling with a mental illness based on their experiences.
In our Q&A session, feel free to ask Meggie anything about travel, mental health, or whatever you want to know!
October is a month that means a lot to Meggie. The International OCD Foundation and the OCD community are banding together for OCD Awareness Week from October 10-16. After treatment for OCD, Meggie didn’t only get their mental well-being improved, but they began living a freer life. Proceeds go to the International OCD Foundation to help folks with this chronic disorder get the treatment they need for a chance of a life of freedom like Meggie. Please consider donating today.
OCD SoCal is Hosting A Free, 2-Hour Virtual Event Featuring 5 Talks from 11 Speakers!
To join the event, email us at: info@ocdsocal.org letting us know you would like to attend the event!
On Saturday, October 16, 2021, from 10am to 12 noon PST, OCD Southern California offers a free and interactive virtual event to celebrate OCD Awareness Week 2021! This event includes presentations from members of the OCD SoCal board discussing various OCD topics: exposure and response prevention treatment, OCD medications, reducing family accommodation, a lived-experience panel consisting of individuals in recovery from OCD, and a presentation from Kim Quinlan, LMFT, the author of the new book, “The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD.”
The agenda of the event is as follows:
After an introduction by our board members, the presentations will begin and last for the first half of the event:
“Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD” – Evelyn Gould, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Exposure and response prevention therapy is the gold-standard treatment for OCD. OCD SoCal board member Evelyn Gould, Ph.D., BCBA-D will cover the basics of ERP, including creating a hierarchy, facing uncertainty, and using the treatment modality to reduce anxiety around obsessions and compulsions.
“Medications for OCD” – Dr. Sepehr “Sheperd” Aziz, D.O.
Psychiatrist Dr. Sepehr Aziz will discuss the various medications and pharmacological interventions found effective in managing OCD symptoms. In addition, he will discuss the differences in medication classes, proper med doses, the effectiveness of meds, and the future of OCD medications.
“How a Family Member Can Best Support a Loved One with OCD” – Melissa Mose, LMFT and Barbara Van Noppen, Ph.D., LCSW
The ‘Kids, Teens, and Family’ talk will address how both the experience of –and the treatment for– OCD in kids and teens is different than it is for adults. In this context, we will define family accommodation and illustrate how it impacts children and the course of OCD and how parents can manage their own confusion, fears, and challenges. When anxiety is viewed as a cyclic and systemic phenomenon, treatment options that include family members become more effective. Concrete skills, tools, contracts, and other methods will be introduced.
“Our Journey With Overcoming OCD” – Chris Trondsen, M.S., AMFT, APCC, Liz Trondsen, Patricia Bosvay, Shannon Switzer, and Andrew Cohen, LMFT
This panel gives an opportunity to hear personal stories from individuals in recovery from OCD and stories from family members who have supported loved ones on the recovery journey. You will hear what has been supportive, what has been unhelpful, and how to tap into your motivation for recovery. You will walk away from this panel inspired and hopeful!
“Learn How Self-Compassion Can Help Supercharge Your OCD Recovery!”– Kim Quinlan, LMFT
Finally, the event will conclude with a presentation from a special guest, Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT. She will be discussing her newly released book, “The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD.” In this interactive presentation, you will learn why having self-compassion is crucial for OCD recovery. Additionally, how the practice of self-compassion can actually help with motivation and willingness to engage in exposure and response prevention will be discussed. We will also cover the core concepts of self-compassion and some of the common roadblocks that people with OCD experience when it comes to practicing self-compassion.
The second half of the event will feature a Q&A segment with each of the speakers available to answer any questions you may have!
We will then conclude with a message from our board members.
Since this event is virtual, all are welcome to attend–from anywhere! The event is perfect for individuals with OCD, their family and loved ones, and professionals wanting to learn more about treating people with OCD. It is also a fantastic opportunity to educate the public on OCD. Please also invite family and loved ones who would benefit from learning more about this disorder.
We will be sending out the specific link to the event for those on our OCD SoCal mailing list. If you or someone you feel would be interested in attending are not on that list, please email us at: info@OCDSoCal.org.
OCD Awareness Week 2021 is from Sunday, October 10 until Saturday, October 16, 2021, with our event landing on the final day of awareness week!
