OCD Lemmonaide
Selected Resources
For those with OCD and related disorders, by far the most comprehensive list of resources I have encountered can be found on the Educational Resources page of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) website. There are links to Articles From the Experts, Brochures, Facts, and Handouts, Books and Multimedia Resources, the OCD Newsletter and Archive, and Additional OCD Resources, including websites, blogs, podcasts, resources for parents, advocacy groups, and legal resources, among others. I especially like the IOCDF’s Books and Multimedia Resources page. This list, though not exhaustive, is very comprehensive.
The IOCDF also has a Real OCD Resource Center, where you can find links to many of the resources mentioned above, as well as shareable infographics designed to help dispel common myths about OCD on social media.
Be sure to check out the IOCDF’s free online resource directory (available on the home page or under the Find Help tab) to locate therapists, clinics, support groups, and organizations that specialize in OCD and related disorders in your area.
Sometimes, a long list of resources can feel overwhelming, especially for those of us who are newer to recovery. For this reason, I have decided to share a smaller list of resources here, along with brief explanations. These selected resources will include books I have read or currently own, websites or blogs I have visited, podcasts I am familiar with, and advocacy organizations and OCD-focused charities that I have found helpful. Please feel free to check back occasionally, as I will be updating this page over time. If the resource is a website, you can connect to it by clicking the image above the description.
Organizations
International OCD Foundation
This is always the first resource I recommend to anyone looking for information on OCD. The IOCDF is the world’s largest nonprofit dedicated to helping people with OCD. It has a directory of clinics, programs, and therapists, expert-written articles, a “real OCD” resource center, a multimedia resource directory, and more. The provider directory is invaluable for individuals looking for clinics, programs, and therapists that use evidence-based therapy to treat OCD. Licensure and Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) certification in the provider listings are also verified by the IOCDF.
OCD Gamechangers
OCD Gamechangers is a global non-profit serving individuals with OCD, their families, and healthcare providers. It is based in the US but has a significant international presence in places such as Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Canada. OCD Gamechangers hosts events throughout the world, and their events are known for their emphasis on the lived experience of individuals with OCD. I have been to a couple of OCD Gamechangers events in the Southwestern US. Their events are always safe spaces for people with OCD to share their story.
OCD SoCal
OCD SoCal is an Affiliate of the International OCD Foundation that is based in Southern California.It is known to be the most active IOCDF Affiliate, hosting the Online OCD Conference, the OCD SoCal Speaker Series, the free virtual Family and Loved Ones OCD Support Group, and OCD Walks. Many of the organization's events, such as the Online OCD Conference and the Family and Loved Ones OCD Support Group, are virtual events attended even by people outside of Southern California! I am active in OCD SoCal as a member of their San Diego Regional Council and attend many of their events.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the USA's leading mental health organization, with over 650 affiliates across the country. Though not an OCD-specific organization, NAMI offers meetings, events, and services that would likely benefit people with OCD, including peer support groups, the NAMI Helpline, and education materials on several other mental health conditions. It may be helpful to plug into your local NAMI chapter to see what free resources they have to offer.