International OCD Foundation

This Older Americans Month, we’re recognizing the strength, wisdom, and resilience of older adults in the OCD and related disorders community. 💚 This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” highlights the importance of wellness, self-advocacy, and access to care at every stage of life. For older adults living with OCD and related disorders, that includes being seen, supported, and connected to effective treatment and community! 💪 Explore OCD resources at IOCDF.org

Ask the Experts with Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT & Chris Trondsen, LMFT! x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Community Conversations x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

People with Body Dysmorphic Disorder often hear that SSRIs/SRIs are the first-line medication treatment for BDD, but what happens if symptoms are still lingering? In a recent article for the IOCDF BDD Blog, Katharine A. Phillips discusses what clinicians and individuals may consider next, including: 👉 Optimizing an SSRI/SRI trial 👉 Trying augmentation strategies 👉 Switching medications 👉 Adding BDD-specific CBT One key takeaway: many people never receive a full, optimized medication trial before assuming treatment “didn’t work.” Treatment for BDD is highly individualized, and recovery often involves patience, adjustment, and support along the way. Read the full post 👉 bit.ly/49c4sFo Content adapted with credit to Katharine A. Phillips, M.D.

The 2026 Boston OCD Walk was a success! 💚 Thank you to everyone who joined us on May 9 to kick off this year’s One Million Steps for OCD Walk season. We’re so grateful for this incredible community! 👟 We can’t wait to see the rest of the walk season unfold!

Mental Health Awareness Month is about making space for honest conversations about mental health. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood or reduced to stereotypes about being neat or organized. In reality, OCD involves intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that can significantly impact daily life. Reducing stigma starts with better information and more open conversations. Efforts across the OCD community include training clinicians in evidence based treatment, supporting research, creating spaces for connection like the OCD Walk and OCD Conference, and sharing resources to help people find care. Organizations like @thebusyheadproject and @iocdf are working to make those conversations easier to start and to connect people with the support they deserve. Learn more about OCD and available resources 👉 iocdf.org Learn more about The Busyhead Project, Noah Kahan’s initiative focused on reducing stigma and increasing access to mental health resources 👉 busyheadproject.org

Families play an important role in the OCD and related disorders community! 💚 This International Day of Families, we want to recognize the parents, caregivers, siblings, partners, children, and loved ones who show up every day with compassion, patience, and support. Whether you are helping someone access treatment, learning alongside them, or simply reminding them they are not alone, your support matters. At the IOCDF, we are committed to providing resources and community for families navigating OCD and related disorders. Here are a few ways families can connect with support: 💚 Explore family and youth resources at iocdf.org/families 💚 Attend family-focused sessions and tracks at #OCDCon 💚 Checking out the Supporting Our Families Livestream on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7pm ET! kids.iocdf.org/supporting-our… 💚 Checking out our kids site at kids.iocdf.org

This week is Hoarding Disorder Awareness Week! We’re helping break down common misconceptions about hoarding disorder and related terms. While clutter, collecting, and squalor may look similar on the surface, they each have important differences. Understanding these distinctions can help reduce stigma and encourage compassionate, evidence-based support for those impacted by hoarding disorder. Learn more at hoarding.iocdf.org 💙

Early bird pricing for the 31st Annual OCD Conference ends soon! 🦜🎉 Early bird pricing ends Sunday, May 24, 2026. Join us July 9-12, 2026 in Seattle or virtually for four days of learning, connection, and community with people who understand OCD and related disorders. Register now for #OCDCon and learn more about pricing and scholarship opportunities at iocdf.org/ocdcon

Ask the Experts with Guest Ryan Vidrine, MD! x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Community Conversations x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Conversaciones TOC x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Today is National Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day 💚 If you're a mental health provider, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank you for the vital work you do. We’re grateful to have you as part of the IOCDF community and for your ongoing commitment to providing effective care for individuals impacted by OCD and related disorders. If a mental health provider has made a difference in your life, we invite you to honor them with a gift to the Training Institute Scholarship Fund. Your support helps expand access to evidence-based treatment and ensures more people can get the care they deserve. Mental health professionals change lives every day, yet millions of people with OCD still struggle to access effective care. In the IOCDF’s white paper, America’s OCD Care Crisis, we found that 95% of people with OCD in the U.S. do not receive the most effective treatment. That is why the IOCDF Training Institute is committed to equipping more providers with the skills they need to effectively treat OCD and related disorders. Learn more and support the fund at bit.ly/3RBzLmQ

Only 3 days until OCD Therapy in an Uncertain World: Advocacy, Ethical Practice, and Burnout Prevention begins. This two-day virtual program is designed to support OCD clinicians navigating the complex realities of modern practice. Featuring leading voices in OCD treatment, sessions will focus on protecting treatment integrity, navigating institutional barriers, preventing burnout, and sustaining yourself in the work long term. Whether you are early in your career or a seasoned clinician, this program offers practical tools, ethical guidance, and meaningful conversations to help strengthen your work and support your wellbeing. 👉 Virtual event 👉 Begins Thursday, May 14 👉 9 CEs Visit events.iocdf.org/event/SummitSp… for more information and to register.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, parents, and caregivers in our community. 💙 Parenting can bring joy, love, and meaningful moments, but it can also come with stress, uncertainty, and challenges. If you are navigating OCD or supporting a child or loved one with OCD, you are not alone. Support, education, and community can make a big difference for families. Explore resources for parents and caregivers 👉 iocdf.org

The Boston OCD Walk is TOMORROW! 🎉 Join us on May 9 as our community comes together to raise funds, increase awareness, and support people affected by OCD and related disorders. Through the One Million Steps for OCD Walk, participants across the country help fund critical programs, education, and research that bring help, healing, and hope to our community. There is still time to get involved or donate. Learn more at iocdf.org/ocdwalk 💙

The IOCDF wishes a very happy birthday to our two most recent Illumination Award recipients — 2024 winner Scheana Shay and 2025 winner Zane Gonzalez. Because of individuals like Scheana and Zane who use their platforms to raise accurate awareness of OCD, millions more people are now connected with help, healing, and hope. Scheana and Zane: We are so grateful for the work you do to help others feel less alone and to know that treatment exists. Here's to an amazing year ahead!

IOCDF Research Roundtable: OCD Motivational Dimensions x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the cultures, histories, and contributions of AAPI communities. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the mental health challenges many AAPI individuals face when seeking care. Research shows that Asian Americans are about 60% less likely to receive mental health treatment compared to the general U.S. population. Cultural stigma, barriers to care, and lack of access to culturally competent treatment can make it harder for many people to seek help. OCD affects 2–3% of people worldwide, including members of AAPI communities. Increasing awareness and access to effective treatment helps ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get support. Learning about OCD and evidence-based treatment is an important step toward reducing stigma and improving access to care. Learn more about OCD and treatment options at iocdf.org 💙

Maternal mental health matters 💙 Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring major emotional changes, and for some parents, that can include intrusive thoughts that feel frightening or confusing. Research shows that up to 90% of new parents experience unwanted intrusive thoughts about their baby, yet many people feel afraid to talk about them because of shame or misunderstanding. These thoughts are common and do not mean someone will act on them. Learning what they are and getting the right support can make a huge difference. If you or someone you know is navigating intrusive thoughts during pregnancy or postpartum, education and community support can help. Learn more about OCD, intrusive thoughts, and treatment at iocdf.org 💙