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Website Review: International OCD Foundation

Sep 13, 2024 | For Patients, OCD, Technology, Uncategorized, Website Reviews

Website Review International OCD Foundation

It’s time for another website review. This week, our team is reviewing the International OCD Foundation website.

What is OCD?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a mental health disorder that is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (5th edition) as having both obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are defined by thoughts, impulses or images that keep coming up and may not be dismissed easily, and are intrusive and unwanted. These can be very upsetting to those that experience them. The individual may try to avoid these thoughts, urges or pictures but often feel as though they can only be dealt with by using compulsions. Compulsions can be defined as repeated behaviors or acts that the person feels like they “have to do” in an attempt to deal with an obsession. These acts are met with good intentions of the individual, that is attempting to rid themselves of the obsessions they face, but the compulsions are not solutions to the problem and are oftentimes clearly excessive in nature. These symptoms are often very time consuming and disruptive in day-to-day life. They can be highly distressing and cause impairment in daily functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

What Treatments Work Best With OCD?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) studies have shown that exposure therapy, although uncomfortable, has led to great results in treating those with OCD. Exposure therapy helps a client learn to “sit with” and even “lean into” their discomforts mentally. Cognitive therapy approaches also seem to be beneficial. Examining thought patterns and beliefs and challenging those beliefs through Cognitive therapies is an important part of healing and learning to live with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Medications such as Serotonergic medications (ex: clomipramine), have also been evidenced to assist in managing OCD symptoms (Abramowitz 1997).

About International OCD Foundation

International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) began in 1986 following a group of individuals with OCD who enrolled for some of the first medication trials for OCD treatment. IOCDF describes their Mission Statement as “The mission of the IOCDF is to ensure that no one affected by OCD and related disorders suffers alone. Our community provides help, healing and hope.” IOCDF describes their Vision Statement as “Our vision is that everyone impacted by OCD and related disorders has immediate access to effective treatment and support”. Being diagnosed with OCD can be intimidating and the symptoms may be frustrating to live with, but having a community that can rally together may be an invaluable resource.

About the International OCD Foundation Website

Through their website, IOCDF, helps to raise awareness and make connections to Treatment and support, Educational Resources, Community Events & Programs, IOCDF Training Institute, OCD and Related Disorders Research and Policy Advocacy. Interested in finding help, the website provides information on How to Find the Right Therapist. The website also offers a search engine for individuals to find access to a variety of different providers in the surrounding area. Therapists that specialize in OCD can also be found through this search engine which can be helpful to make sure your therapist has experience and expertise in this area.

International OCD Foundation Resources

As we listed above, IOCDF provides a vast amount of resources and education on their website. We wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a few that we believe are especially beneficial:

  • Professional Membership: Membership with IOCDF opens members to a community of over 2,000 professionals in OCD treatment and research. Membership with IOCDF provides access to referral listing, continuing education opportunities, job listings, subscription to quarterly OCD Newsletter, and ability to recruit participants for research studies.
  • Educational Resources: IOCDF website provides access to various educational resources to help in both understanding and managing OCD. The website offers access to articles, books, multimedia, fact sheets, handouts.
  • Resources for Living with OCD: IOCDF offers a vast number of resources to help those individuals diagnosed with OCD, family members or loved ones learn to manage and find support. IOCDF website provides a list of reviewed mobile apps to help in management of OCD symptoms. IOCDF also has a virtual community available to help others get connected.
  • Books about OCD and Related Disorders: More of a reader? IOCDF also has a number of book suggestions broken down by categories for easier browsing.
  • Email Updates: Sign up to receive email updates from the IOCDF on upcoming events, programming, and ways to get involved!
  • Contact Us: **The IOCDF is not a hotline, crisis line, or suicide prevention line.** If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please see the resources below:
    – 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Please access the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you ever feel like harming yourself or ending your own life. The Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988, or online at www.988lifeline.org.
    – Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (in the US and Canada) to connect with a trained crisis counselor for free, 24/7 crisis support via text message. Visit www.crisistextline.org to learn more about international options.

The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) is a great resource for both mental health support and information. Come back next week for the next website review in our series!

References:

Abramowitz, J. S. (1997). Effectiveness of psychological and pharmacological treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A quantitative Review. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65(1), 44–52. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.65.1.44

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

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