There are many organizations that have been created to help and bring more awareness to people who have been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. Different & Able has compiled a list of several organizations that exist to serve individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder.
“Founded in 2010, the OCD New York is a non-profit affiliate of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). OCD New York is a locally based group made up of people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related disorders, as well as their families, friends, professionals and others. The mission and goals of OCD New York are to:
- Educate the public and professionals about OCD in order to raise awareness and improve the quality of treatment provided in the state of New York
- Improve access to resources for those with OCD and their families in the state of New York
- “Advocate and lobby for the OCD community in the state of New York.”
“The mission of the International OCD Foundation is to help those affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders to live full and productive lives. Our aim is to increase access to effective treatment through research and training, foster a hopeful and supportive community for those affected by OCD and the professionals who treat them, and fight stigma surrounding mental health issues.”
Rethink Mental Illness is an organization that fights for fair rights for people who suffer from any mental illness. Their website states “Our vision is for equality, rights, the fair treatment and maximum quality of life for all those affected by mental illness, their carers, family and friends. As one of the largest charitable providers of services for people living with mental illness, we are well placed to make a direct impact on the care people receive.” Their website has an area where individuals with OCD share their stories.
“At ORCHARD we believe that breakthrough happens when collaboration and information exchange is granted. In order to facilitate and foster an open and collaborative platform, we build a community of interdisciplinary professionals and work with them closely to progress together in developing new and better treatments for patients suffering from OCD, both medication and psychotherapy. Our VISION is a world where all patients suffering from OCD receive effective treatment for their condition. Our MISSION is to build that world by advancing collaborative translational research and driving the quest for new and better treatments for OCD.”
“OCD-UK has been working for children and adults affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder since 2004. We provide advice, information, and support services for those affected by OCD, and campaign to end the trivialization and stigma of OCD. Uniquely, the charity is completely service-user led, everyone involved in the organization have personal experience of OCD, either directly or through a loved one.”
OCD Challenge is an on line, 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 four Modules: Assessment, Gaining Awareness, Intervention, Maintenance. 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.
“Founded in 2010, the OCD Mid-Atlantic is a non-profit affiliate of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). We are a locally based group made up of people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, as well as their families, friends, professionals and others. The affiliate services Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern and Central Virginia.”
To read more about obessive compulsive disorder, check out this article: What is Obessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
