Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is a mental health condition characterized by obsessions and compulsions or compulsive behaviors and other symptoms. Obsessions in OCD are fixations that a person with OCD experiences, typically accompanied by intrusive thoughts or intrusive mental images. Compulsions are repeated words or phrases, checking behaviors, and ordering behaviors (such as arranging objects), counting, and more. Compulsions are meant to relieve the fears associated with a person's obsessions. If you live with obsessive-compulsive disorder and don't know anyone else who lives with the condition, it may feel as though you have nowhere to turn to for understanding or peer support. That's where online mental health forums, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder discussion forums, come in. Peer support isn't a replacement for medical or mental health treatment, but it can be incredibly advantageous.
What Is OCD UK?
OCD UK is a United Kingdom-based organization and charity that describes themselves as having worked for children and adults affected by obsessive-compulsive disorders since 2004. On their about page, the OCD UK describes themselves and what they do by saying: "We provide advice, information, and support services for those affected by OCD, and campaign to end the trivialization and stigma of OCD. Uniquely, the charity is completely service-user led; everyone involved in the organization has personal experience of OCD, either directly or through a loved one." The organization provides information about OCD, discussion forums, support groups, and a low-cost helpline funded to help people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The website has several opportunities to get involved. It has information about different therapies and treatments used for OCD and information about the disorder itself.
The OCD UK Discussion Forums
Above the link to the forums, you'll find links to blog posts, inspirational quotes, information about OCD awareness week, and more. When you visit the forums, you will find a variety of subforums. There is a subforum for parents, partners, friends, and people who care for those who live with OCD included on the website, so if you don't have OCD yourself but have a loved one with OCD and are looking for a place to talk to other people who have loved ones with OCD, it is a great forum to use. You will find users talking about various topics in the forums, from their experience with OCD to other, more lighthearted topics and parts of life.
The Benefit Of Online Forums For OCD
Again, the peer support will never be a replacement for medical or mental health treatment. That doesn't mean that they don't have a place, however. Peer support options like forums and support groups provide a sense of understanding and community. Even when you aren't talking about OCD specifically, you know that the people in the forums or the group you're using understand. Peer support gives you an opportunity to talk about things that you are ashamed about elsewhere or things that you feel like other people wouldn't be able to understand. Always make sure that the peer support options you're using are healthy, safe spaces for you. Check-in with yourself regularly, and know that if the first forum or group you try isn't for you, there are others out there. When you join a new forum or support group, make sure that you read or listen to the group's rules, as they may be different depending on where you go.
Other OCD Forums
Here are some other options for forums that you can use if you are living with OCD.
The OCD Action Forum
This is another United Kingdom-based forum for people living with OCD. In fact, it is one of the first forums you'll come across if you search for OCD forums. On the OCD action forums, you'll find various sub-forums and topics, just like on the OCD UK discussion forums. The OCD action forum has subforums for those living with OCD, those living with related OCD spectrum disorders, such as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and trichotillomania for friends, parents, and caregivers.
The My OCD Community Forum
The My OCD Community forum was announced by the International OCD Foundation or IOCDF in 2018. The forum is a partnership with Health Unlocked, and it appears on the Health Unlocked website. The International OCD Foundation is an international foundation founded by people living with OCD that formed in 1986.
Like with other OCD forums, you can find various topics, and there is a place for people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder and people who care about people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
https://healthunlocked.com/my-ocd.
The Mentalhealthforum.net OCD Forum
This forum is a little bit different from the others on this list because mentalhealthforum.net is a website with various forums for people living with various mental health conditions. This website has a forum for people living with a borderline personality disorder, people living with bipolar disorder, people living with generalized anxiety disorder, and many other conditions and concerns.
https://www.mentalhealthforum.net/forum/forums/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-forum.46/.
Understanding OCD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a common mental health disorder or mental illness characterized by experiencing obsessions and compulsions. The obsessions and compulsions that a person with OCD faces can take a vast number of different forms. Four common subtypes of obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD include:
- Contamination OCD
- Symmetry OCD
- Harm OCD
- Purely obsessive OCD
However, it is essential to know that these are not the only manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder may also experience obsessions related to religion, sexuality, or something else.
Getting Help For OCD
If you notice the symptoms of OCD in yourself or believe that you might have OCD, don't be afraid to reach out to a mental health professional. Commonly used treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder include cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT and exposure and response prevention therapy or ERP, a subtype of cognitive-behavioral therapy that is highly regarded as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder. For all information regarding specific treatment through therapies, please reach out to a medical or mental health provider for information and advice.
If you are searching for a mental health professional in your area and aren't sure how to find what you're looking for, there are several routes that you can take. Here are some ways to find a therapist or counselor:
- Make an appointment with your primary care physician or general doctor and ask for a referral to a counselor or therapist.
- Contact your insurance company and ask what they cover, or visit their website, to see who they cover in your area.
- Conduct an online search using your browser of choice with terms such as "OCD therapist near me," "OCD counselor near me," or "ERP therapist near me," depending on what you're looking for.
- Use an online mental health provider directory or a mental health provider search tool, such as the Mind Diagnostics website. If you want to use the mind Diagnostics website's provider search tool, simply go to the website's upper right-hand corner and type in your ZIP code. Then, hit the magnifying glass or press enter to see results. This option is beneficial for those who have specific things they're looking for in a provider, such as specific specialties or types of education, because you can see a provider's profile before contacting them.
If you are a college student, you might have mental health services on campus, which is often a great place to start. You can also utilize online therapy websites like BetterHelp if you are searching for remote therapy or online therapy.
Take The Mind Diagnostics Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Test
Are you wondering if you might have obsessive-compulsive disorder? If so, consider taking the Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test. The Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test is not a replacement for a diagnosis from a medical or mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, but taking the test can give you insight into your symptoms. It might just be the first step to getting the help that you need. Although OCD can affect people of all ages, the Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test is for those aged 18 and older.
Click here to take the Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test.
