Hello Dazzle! Thanks for coming and hanging out with me today, I’m glad that you are here. Today I want to tell you about a nonprofit organization that I believe is worthy of being supported: The International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF). This organization is doing great things to educate, advocate and relate for those who have OCD. The IOCDF is funded solely by the donations of its members.
This organization was established by a few individuals with OCD who desired to create a support structure for themselves and others who have OCD. Since that time, it has grown to include those who have family members with OCD and those who treat individuals with OCD. This organization gathers these people together with the aim of ensuring that those who are supporting the people with OCD are in direct contact with the individuals that have OCD. This helps ensure that the focus of care remains in alignment with the goals and values of those who are diagnosed with OCD.
This organization provides education to providers so that they can become specialized in treating OCD. This education is developed by experts in the field and is based upon the most current research while remaining in touch with the individuals who have OCD. This organization offers those seeking to treat individuals with OCD the unique opportunity to speak with those who have OCD without impairing their practice. They can get feed back on various treatment approaches and gain insight from the patient perspective.
For those who have OCD, this organization offers education so that you can become more aware of what it means to have OCD. They offer a news letter to keep people up to date on research and organization events. They have services that help patients find providers that are specialists in caring for OCD. They run support groups and host an OCD community. They provide educational recommendations for books to read.
The organization is supporting research into OCD. They collect donations that go directly towards OCD research. They also help individuals with OCD find research studies that they can participate in to help increase our knowledge. They also facilitate the brain donor project for those who would like to register their brain to be donated for research after their death. The list of research studies that you can support is long and listed by location.
They host an annual OCD conference every year that patients, family and providers are invited to attend. These events help encourage conversations about the ongoing research that is being conducted and what is showing the most efficacy in care. This conference also serves as a great way for providers to connect with those who have OCD to hear the patient’s perspective regarding the challenges we are currently facing.
If you have OCD or a family member with OCD or provide care to those with OCD, I strongly recommend that you go to their site and check them out. They are an amazing organization. I also encourage you to become a member and provide them any monetary support that you can so that they can continue to do the amazing work that they have been doing.
Well, that’s about it for my rambling today. Thanks for coming and spending some time with me. If you like what you read, click on that like button. It really does help! Until we talk again, you take care of yourselves!
Zebra Pig 