Nikola Tesla: Persistence in the Face of Mental Illness In this new blog series, we will be profiling famous individuals who continued to persist and make a lasting impact on the world despite the challenges and debilitating nature of untreated OCD. Our first blog focuses on Nikola Tesla. Nikola Tesla is enjoying something of a… Read more »
I’m Not Ashamed of My OCD
The day a psychiatrist first used the words obsessive compulsive disorder to diagnose me was the start of a journey toward ridding myself of the shame that had weighed on my heart for so many years. Now, a decade after that original diagnosis, I will unapologetically tell anyone and everyone that I have OCD. I am… Read more »
Talking to Kids About OCD
I had the privilege of visiting with a third-grader named Faith over lunch this past winter. She is the cutest nine-year-old in the world, all eyes and sweet, sweet smile. Not kidding, you look at this little girl and think, Oh my gosh, a hug from this child could change the world. Faith is the strongest, bravest nine-year-old… Read more »
Submit Your Proposal to Speak at the Annual OCD Conference!
We are now accepting proposals for workshops, evening events, support groups, and the Keynote Address for our 21st Annual OCD Conference to be held in Los Angeles, CA, on July 18-20, 2014. Our speakers and support group leaders are the backbone of our conference. Help us make this year’s conference our best yet by adding… Read more »
Save the Date(s)! 21st Annual OCD Conference in Los Angeles, CA
We hope you are all getting excited for our 21st Annual OCD Conference, to be held July 18–20, 2014, in Los Angeles, CA! While the conference is still 8 months away, we are already hard at work here at the IOCDF offices planning for what we hope to make the best conference yet. Our 2014… Read more »
#GIVINGTUESDAY – Help support Pediatric OCD Programs TODAY
OCD begins in childhood. Despite this, it takes an average of 14–17 years between onset of symptoms and access to effective treatment due to stigma around mental health issues, and lack of awareness about available treatment options. We are working to change this, and you can help. You have no doubt heard the terms, “Black… Read more »
BOOK EXCERPT: My First Visit with a Psychiatrist
Our very own IOCDF blogger, Alison Dotson, has just released her first book, Being Me with OCD: How I Learned to Obsess Less and Live My Life, a memoir/self-help book for teens and young adults about life with OCD! We are excited to be able to share an excerpt from the book on the blog. Check… Read more »
The 2013 IOCDF Hero Award Winner is…
Last year, we introduced the IOCDF Hero Award as a way of honoring members of the OCD community who go above and beyond in their service to the OCD community. For the first award in 2012, we recognized Denis Asselin for his tireless advocacy on behalf of individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and OCD,… Read more »
And the Winners are….
And now the moment you have all been waiting for…. the winners of the 2013 OCD Awareness Week Creative Expression Contest. This contest is an opportunity to help spread awareness about OCD and related disorders through creative works such as short stories, essays, paintings, music, or even films. And the entries this year ranged from songs,… Read more »
Guest Post: Filmmaker John Moore discusses “Once Again”
We are honored to have a guest post today, as part of #OCDweek, from John Spottsword Moore. Moore was recently the recipient of the Barbara Jordan Media from Texas Governor Rick Perry for the moving portrayal of mental health issues in Once Again. He has made the film available for free on his website for… Read more »