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Website Review: BeyondOCD.org

Sep 26, 2023 | For Patients, OCD, Technology, Uncategorized, Website Reviews

Website Review BeyondOCD.org

Today, we are continuing our reviews of popular mental health websites with a review of the BeyondOCD.org website.

About the BeyondOCD.org Website

Living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be an exhausting, isolating experience. The constant cycle of intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors can make individuals feel trapped and desperate for relief. The website for Beyond OCD seeks to reach as many people as possible who are affected by OCD. They provide information and resources to help with the anxiety that comes with the disorder, whether you struggle with OCD yourself or are a loved one of someone who does. This site offers facts and research and videos on general OCD information like symptoms, diagnosing, treatment, different psychotherapies, and connections to various resources. A quick overview of everything the BeyondOCD.org website provides:

  • Understanding OCD: It is crucial to understand what OCD really is, and this organization lays out ample information to provide that understanding for viewers. OCD is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and the need to perform specific actions or rituals (compulsions) to alleviate anxiety temporarily. These obsessions and compulsions can consume a significant amount of time and energy, leading to distress and interfering with daily life. The site breaks down symptoms, theorized causes of OCD (like genetics), average age of onset (19), and common fears that elicit OCD thoughts and behaviors.
  • The Importance of Education: Education is a vital tool in overcoming OCD. BeyondOCD.com offers a wealth of reliable and comprehensive information about OCD, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Educating ourselves and gaining a deeper understanding of the disorder can help people concerned about others they know who are suspected to have OCD or have been diagnosed.
  • Empowerment through Shared Experiences: One of the most powerful aspects of BeyondOCD.com is the opportunity to connect with others who have faced or are currently facing similar challenges. The website has many videos on information on OCD as well as people’s stories of their experiences with OCD. While the website itself has limited direct support group opportunities, they connect you with places like the International OCD website, which assists you in finding resources and support groups near you or online groups if there are no currently available groups near you.
  • Resources for Effective Treatment: BeyondOCD.com offers a range of resources to help individuals access effective treatment for OCD. From articles and videos on evidence-based therapies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to directories of OCD specialists and treatment centers, the website serves as a valuable hub for individuals seeking professional guidance and support.
  • Coping Strategies and Self-Care: BeyondOCD.com provides practical coping strategies and self-care tips to help individuals manage OCD symptoms and reduce anxiety. From relaxation techniques and mindfulness exercises to strategies for dealing with triggers and setbacks, the website equips individuals with the tools needed to navigate their daily lives with greater ease.

BeyondOCD.org Resources For Clients

BeyondOCD.org provides many valuable resources for clients. These include:

  • Information and Resources: Beyond OCD offers a wealth of information and resources on OCD, including articles, brochures, and videos. Their website serves as a comprehensive knowledge hub, providing details about OCD symptoms, treatment options, and strategies for managing the disorder. This information helps clients and their families better understand OCD and make informed decisions about their care. The more clients understand OCD, the more they feel validated and empowered. “OCD is a disorder that has a neurobiological basis. It equally affects men, women, and children of all races, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds. In the United States, about 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children have OCD. And according to the World Health Organization, OCD is one of the top 20 causes of illness-related disability, worldwide, for individuals between 15 and 44 years of age.”
  • Helpline: Beyond OCD operates a helpline where individuals can seek guidance, ask questions, or receive emotional support. The helpline is staffed by trained volunteers who can offer assistance and provide referrals to appropriate resources, such as mental health professionals or treatment centers. Get help by calling 800-950-6264 (NAMI – USA).
  • Education and Awareness: Beyond OCD actively promotes awareness about OCD through various channels. They organize workshops, conferences, and webinars to educate individuals, families, and professionals about OCD. They provide facts backed by research and studies on OCD. By fostering a better understanding of the disorder, they help reduce stigma and facilitate early intervention and effective treatment. Clients can gain a better understanding of OCD through these links that provide general information and specific facts about OCD.
  • Treatment Options: Beyond OCD also provides multiple common treatment options for clients when it comes to psychotherapy (not including medication, which is also common in treatment). This section of the site describes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the therapeutic approach of choice for OCD, exposure and response prevention (ERP), cognitive therapy, and metacognitive therapy. These approaches are not the only methods OCD is treated, but they are some of the prime recommendations described here. Clients can peruse personal stories of CBT success, questions to ask prior to choosing a therapist, and resources for finding a therapist.

BeyondOCD.org Resources For Clinicians

In addition to providing information for clients, BeyondOCD.org is a great resource for clinicians as well. They provide:

  • Education and Training: BeyondOCD.org provides educational materials, articles, and resources on OCD. Mental health professionals can access a wide range of information about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of OCD. This helps professionals stay updated on the latest research and evidence-based practices in the field. This site explains facts and research on OCD in a more accessible and cohesive form than merely studying various research articles or the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
  • Treatment Guidelines: The website offers comprehensive guidelines and recommendations for the treatment of OCD. Mental health professionals across the U.S, as well as internationally, employ a wide variety of approaches and theoretical orientations. This section provides commonly used approaches for treating OCD. Mental health professionals can refer to these guidelines to ensure they are employing the most effective and appropriate treatment approaches.
  • Access to Research: The website may provide access to research studies, clinical trials, and scholarly articles related to OCD. It can also provide ideas and openings to do further research on the subject matter to better be informed and expand competence. Mental health professionals can use this information to deepen their understanding of the disorder and incorporate the latest findings into their practice.

Our Team’s Favorite BeyondOCD.org Resources

As we wrap up this website review, our team put together a list of their favorite resources provided by BeyondOCD.org:

  • What Is OCD?: This section provides general information, symptoms, examples of common cases of OCD, medication, postpartum OCD, etc.
  • Facts: The aforementioned page is supplemented by the section of facts about OCD, including diagnosing, how to differentiate OCD versus not OCD, statistics on prevalence of OCD, and choosing therapists.
  • Videos: Beyond OCD provides several videos on OCD, ranging from personal stories to information from experts such as doctors, neurosurgeons, and mental health professionals.

Check back next week as we review another mental health website. For previous review: