I’ve written about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) numerous times during the last year, and recently one Mental Health Notes reader mentioned the need for a Web site and online chats dedicated to OCD.
Good news! I did some snooping around and found several OCD resources online. Based on factors such as visibility, reputation, and activity I narrowed them down to the top five.
Check them out!
- The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation, or OCF, was founded in 1986 and provides education, assistance, and support for people with OCD and their family and friends. As far as I can tell, the OCF doesn’t have any online support groups, but they do provide a search tool you can use to search for OCD support groups in your area.
- In addition to a pretty thorough overview of OCD, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides the Living with OCD Discussion Group. You’ll need to create an account with NAMI to access the discussion group, but it’s fast and free.
- The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) also provides online support forums. The forums are divided into topics, and the Anxiety and Mood Disorders Forum would be your best bet as OCD is an anxiety disorder. The DBSA also requires you to create an account to access the forums, but like NAMI’s accounts, they are fast and free to create.
- Daily Strength is a beautiful Web site that has over 500 online support groups, including an online obsessive-compulsive disorder support group Similar to the NAMI and DBSA support groups, you have to create an account with Daily Strength. Again, it’s fast and free. However, with a Daily Strength account, you can write blogs, upload pictures, and add friends, too – if you choose to do so. I really like that site.
- In addition to OCD news, treatment information, and research information, OCD-UK provides my friends across the pond with the OCD Discussion Forums. You must create an account, but from the header I see links for blogs, galleries, and an arcade.
Have you had success with any of these online obsessive-compulsive support groups, or do you know of any that should be added to the list? Share in the comments!
Image: Newscom
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