Beyond OCD

Giving Voice

March 2013


IN THIS ISSUE
-  Insurance & Mental Health
-  Your Brain On Anxiety
-  News Moms & OCD
-  Kids' Summer Camp
-  ADAA Conference
-  National Stress Øut Day
-  New Support Group
-  DSM Manual Updates
-  Connections Blog
 
 

Why Many Insurers Still Don't Cover Mental Health Expenses, Despite Law

In October 2008, Congress passed a law designed to end longstanding insurance practices that discriminated against people with mental illness and substance use disorders. It was a landmark achievement, won after 12 years of sustained advocacy by mental health advocates. Yet implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act has been hobbled by a lack of clear guidance from the government, and final rules have yet to be published. Read more > 


Anxiety and Your Mind-Body Connection

When we experience anxiety, we may feel a wide variety of physical symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, hyper-ventilation and other disturbing sensations. But anxiety is caused by a cognitive process -- it is the meaning we give to some thing or event that triggers the physical signs.  Read more >


New Moms at Significantly Increased Risk for OCD Symptoms

A new Northwestern Medicine� study shows that women who have recently given birth have a much higher rate of obsessive-compulsive symptoms than the general population. Researchers found 11% of women at two weeks and six months postpartum experienced significant OCD symptoms, compared to 2% to 3% in the general population. Read more >


Check Out These Summer Camps Designed for Kids with OCD
Summer camp is something many kids eagerly anticipate each year, and there's no reason those with OCD have to feel left out of the fun. A variety of camps across the United States are created with their specific needs in mind.

Children and teens enjoy traditional camp experiences and benefit from state-of-the-art treatment for OCD and related disorders. It's not too early to early to register for camps in:
  • Illinois
  • Massachusetts 
  • Missouri
  • Pennsylvania 
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin 
 Learn more >


National Anxiety and Depression Conference: April 4 - 7

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) will hold its annual conference in La Jolla, Calif., April 4 - 7. This year's meeting is titled "Anxiety and Depression: Technology and New Media in Practice and Research."

This ADAA event is the only such gathering that focuses exclusively on advancing the science and treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobias, depression, suicide risk, and comorbid illnesses in children and adults. Learn more and register >


Beyond OCD Co-Sponors National Stress �ut Day: April 14 - 20
College students on more than 200 campuses across the United States will participate in the eighth annual National Stress �ut Day during the week of April 14 - 20. The purpose of the nationwide effort is to provide pre-finals stress relief and educate students about the difference between everyday anxiety and diagnosable anxiety disorders or other mental illness.

Some 40 million U.S. adults suffer from an anxiety disorder, and 75% of them experience their first episode of anxiety before age 22, according to Active Minds.The awareness-raising event is co-sponsored by Beyond OCD, Active Minds, and Anxiety and Depression Association of America, with support from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Read More >


New Parents' Support Group Forms in Naperville, IL
Parents of kids with OCD who live in the Chicago area can come together twice a month to share insights and camaraderie in a newly formed support group. Created by and for parents, meetings provide opportunities to spend time with people who face the same challenges.


WHEN:

2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month | 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Linden Oaks Medical Group & Outpatient Center
1335 N. Mill St, Suite 260 | Naperville, IL

FOR MORE INFO:

Visit www.OCDParentMeetup.com
Contact Jenny by email or (815) 556-9436

Other support groups: In the  Chicago area or outside Chicago


Mental Disorders Diagnostic Manual Gets First Update in Nearly Two Decades

The American Psychiatric Association recently approved a set of updates and revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM), which is the book treatment professionals use to diagnose mental disorders. The DSM-5 is the first new edition in almost 20 years.

Most noteworthy for readers of this e-news is the addition of hoarding disorder as a diagnosis distinct from OCD. Read more >


Connections: OCD Blog

Speak Out || by Janet Singer
While the author applauds openness when it comes to public discussion of OCD, Janet worries that as more and more celebrities announce they have the disorder that it's become almost "trendy." She believes misrepresentation of the illness can do more harm than good.

OCD and Fame Are Not Mutually Exclusive
by Danielle Yuthas
Having OCD can make a person feel solitary and isolated, but just knowing that others like JK Rowling--author of the mega-hit Harry Potter series--have overcome any perceived limitations can be inspiring. Danielle appreciates public reminders that OCD does not preclude success.

To read these and other blog posts, visit our Connections page.

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