October 2024:
The MLO Minute: “October is OCD Awareness Month!”
By Allyson McAndrews Washo, M.Ed., Director of Communications and Marketing —
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is commonly referred to by its abbreviation “OCD” and is a mental health disorder that affects over 200 million people around the world. Research has shown that 1 in 40 adults have or will develop OCD in their lifetime, and about 1 in 100 children and teenagers have OCD. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines OCD as the following: “Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often a long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions), and behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.” Because most people will experience some obsessive thoughts and/or compulsive behaviors throughout their lifetime, there are often misconceptions and generalized stereotypes surrounding OCD. Typically, a diagnosis will be made when the obsessions and compulsions become time-consuming and cause intense distress on a daily basis.
Thankfully, there are various effective treatment options for individuals struggling with OCD, most notably Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP). NIMH states, “CBT is a type of talk therapy that helps people recognize harmful or untrue ways of thinking so they can more clearly view and respond to challenging situations.” ERP is a type of CBT that “effectively reduces compulsive behaviors, even for people who do not respond well to medication. With ERP, people spend time in a safe environment that gradually exposes them to situations that trigger their obsession (such as touching dirty objects) and prevent them from engaging in their typical compulsive behavior (such as handwashing).” People struggling with OCD symptoms are encouraged to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the right course of action for their treatment.
In 2009, the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) began recognizing OCD Awareness Week during the second full week in October. Since then, the OCD community has expanded its efforts throughout the entire month to recognize October as OCD Awareness Month. During this time, OCD and mental health advocates work to raise awareness about this mental health disorder by providing education and programs for the public.
This year, OCD Awareness Week (#OCDWeek) takes place from Sunday, October 13th through Saturday, October 19th, 2024. People are encouraged to help break the stigma surrounding OCD by becoming involved in local walks and programs that are being offered, as well as educating themselves through various online livestream opportunities and by spreading the word through social media.
Here at McAndrews Law Offices, we understand that the past four years have added a whole new layer of unpredictability to our daily lives, especially for school-age children who may have an increase in stress and uncertainty. If you believe your child is not receiving the proper educational services for their condition, we are here to help. Our initial consultation is without charge, and most of our cases are handled without hourly fees paid by parents of children with disabilities. We understand these are difficult times. Please do not hesitate to contact us today by clicking here or by calling 610-648-9300.
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