By Amanda Ota
Behind the punny captions or the video of my co-workers butchering football trivia on the IOCDF social feed, there’s me, laughing at my own jokes or begging my co-workers to go on camera.
My name is Amanda, and I’m the Communications Manager at the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). You may recognize me as the constant voice on your IG feed during the Annual OCD Conference, or be familiar with my work through our social media platforms. I’ve been a member of the IOCDF staff since 2022, and I’m grateful for every day I get to spend here.
I love my work at the IOCDF for its mission-driven nature. By far, my favorite aspect of my job is the storytelling. I love amplifying the voices of our incredible community members, whether that be through interviews, livestreams, media opportunities, or social media features.
Lately, I’ve had the pleasure of producing our Community Highlights, a series dedicated to highlighting community members, their stories, and their voices. Aligning with specific observance months, Community Highlights offer community members the opportunity to engage in and support IOCDF awareness initiatives.
By sharing the stories of community members with specific identities, we aim to illustrate how OCD uniquely impacts them while highlighting their valuable presence and contributions within our community.
Since we started them back in February, working on these Community Highlights has become one of my favorite aspects of my job. I’ve delighted in sharing the stories of community members such as Dr. Henry Willis, an OCD researcher; Max Wilson, an Autistic Autism Expert and Person with OCD; and Dr. Aureen Pinto Wagner, who has been a Foundation member for decades. It’s an incredible honor each time someone trusts me with their story, and it’s not something I take lightly. (Just ask my boss, Rachel, who watches me toil over each draft, determined to capture each detail with accuracy and respect.)
This month, for AAPI Heritage Month, I’m turning the tables on myself—accepting the same invitation I extend to others—and sharing my own story in a Community Highlight.
Here’s a little about me and how I’ve come to find meaningful work and a deep connection to a mission that matters here in the OCD Community.
I’ll clarify from the beginning that I do not myself have OCD. I have, however, faced my own mental health challenges. My diagnoses include PTSD and Bipolar Disorder. I’m an alcoholic with over four years of sobriety.
My own experiences have made me passionate about mental health advocacy. As I said in one of my IOCDF Interviews, #MentalHealthMatters is more than just my Peloton hashtag, it's a belief I firmly hold after years of fighting my own battles.
I wasn’t familiar with the IOCDF when I began job searching in the fall of 2022. I came across the listing for the Communications Manager role on Indeed and was immediately intrigued—an entire organization dedicated to OCD? I was eager to learn more and thrilled when I heard back for an interview.
Looking back, I can see how much I didn’t know then. My understanding of OCD was narrow and shaped by stereotypes. But thankfully, I was about to receive a much-needed education.
From day one, I was immersed. Producing livestreams with experts, advocates, and individuals with lived experience meant I was constantly learning—about OCD, related disorders, and the deeply personal stories of those who live with them. The hosts, guests, and community members didn’t just welcome me in—they educated me, inspired me, and, over time, became role models and friends. Their willingness to share created a space where I could grow—both professionally and personally.
This community has been so generous with their time, their wisdom, and their experiences.
They’ve trusted me with their stories, and that has meant the world to me. It’s that trust that allows me to do the work I love—amplifying voices, breaking down stigma, and building connections.
I try to return the favor by bringing my best to this work and honoring the experiences that are so generously shared with me.
I started this blog off with gratitude, so I’m going to end it there as well. I’m eternally grateful to this incredible OCD Community for welcoming me in and allowing me to find my place here. In the OCD Community, I’ve not only found fulfilling work but also a vital education, some exemplary role models, and true friends.
So, in a few weeks, when you chuckle at one of my bad puns in a social caption, I hope you’ll know the heart and gratitude that went into it on the other end.
I’ll see you on social!
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