What's the Real Story Behind the Controversy Over the New DSM-5 Manual?
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The American Psychiatric Association's new version of the DSM--the guidebook treatment professionals use to diagnose mental disorders--has generated a great deal of debate. The national media has amplified, and sometimes distorted, the real story.
Here's the article we think does the best job of explaining the DSM's limitations and how the book may be transformed in the future.
Read more >
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More Evidence-Based Treatment, Please!
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Despite scientific evidence that proves cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is highly effective in treating a number of mental disorders, including OCD, many treatment professionals still do not use it. Why? Some simply are not up-to-date on the latest research, while others rely on the "art" of therapy.
Find out what interview questions you can ask to ensure a therapist has the necessary skills to use CBT in your treatment. Learn more >
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You and This NBA Star May Have Something Important in Common |  Do you have OCD? Would you benefit from letting your employer know about your condition and asking for some workplace accommodations? That's exactly what Royce White of the Houston Rockets is doing, and he's talking about it publicly.
White's actions inspired well-known journalist Scott Neumyer to talk about his anxiety issues with his boss. "I am not just Royce White," he writes. "Royce White is also Scott Neumyer. And he's also anyone else with the same problem."
"The first thing I thought when I read about Royce White was how I felt so much empathy for him. I knew exactly what it was like to have to deal with your job while also dealing with an immense amount of soul-crushing anxiety...From the moment I told my bosses about my illness, my situation vastly improved because only through dialogue and open discussion can people understand more about anxiety, depression, and mental health. Only then can they feel empathy, begin to understand, and even help."
Read Neumyer's article >
Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports
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Next OCD Live Forum: July 17th OCD in Fiction, Life and Love  |
Andrea Kayne Kaufman will present "OCD in Fiction, Life and Love" at our next OCD Live Forum on Wednesday, July 17. Andrea is a professor at DePaul University, a mediator and an award-winning author.
Her novel, Oxford Messed Up, was hailed by mental health experts and members of the OCD community for its authentic portrayal of the disorder. The book was honored by the Independent Publisher Book Awards for Best Adult Fiction E-Book in 2012.
Save the date and stay tuned for more registration details coming next month.
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Ketamine May Be Effective OCD Treatment
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A small, preliminary study shows that the anesthetic agent ketamine has promise as a treatment for OCD. In a clinical drug trial conducted at Columbia University in New York City, ketamine rapidly relieved symptoms in 15 patients with OCD when compared to a placebo; relief lasted for one to two weeks. Read more >
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When Religiosity Becomes Obsession |
Religious devotion can be a positive force in a child's life, but when taken to the extreme it might be a sign of OCD. Rigidly repeating holy verses, saying Hail Mary's or enacting other rituals may reflect a child's way of coping with anxiety. When performed as compulsions, these behaviors may be the equivalent of fanatical handwashing or avoiding sidewalk cracks. Read more >
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All In the Family
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FInding the Answers You NeedFamily members and friends are often the first to realize when someone has a mental health problem, but it's hard for them to know how to help or where to turn. The Family Guide to Mental Health Care provides compassionate, easy-to-read guidance on what to do, from the first signs of a problem to sorting through the variety of treatment options. Author Dr. Lloyd Sederer is one of the nation's leading voices on quality care in mental health; the foreword is written by actress and mental health advocate Glenn Close. Read more >
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Supporting Your Anxious Partner
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Dealing with an anxiety disorder is hard; so is loving someone with this type of disorder, no matter how compassionate you are. If your partner suffers from extreme anxiety, you may sometimes feel frustrated, unable to help and angry to find your own life restricted. These feelings can lead to conflict, resentment, miscommunication and even the end of the relationship.
Loving Someone with Anxiety is one of the few books written specifically for the partners of people with anxiety disorders.
Read more >
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Annual OCD Conference
This year's International OCD Foundation's conference will be held July 19-21, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta. It will feature more than 100 presentations, workshops, and seminars, plus 17 evening support groups and special events. Presenters include some of the most experienced and knowledgeable clinicians and researchers in the field, as well as people with OCD and family members who are willing to share their personal stories. If you've never attended this annual conference, we encourage you to get there. You will gain invaluable information and meet people who share your circumstances. Learn more and register >
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Welcome, Sally Ruecking!
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We at Beyond OCD are delighted to
introduce Sally Ruecking as our new Chief Advancement Officer.
Sally is the former Vice President of Corporate Relations for the American Lung Association Illinois-Greater Chicago, where she focused on negotiating corporate partnerships. She worked for the association for 10 years in many fundraising capacities after serving in numerous volunteer positions. Sally was twice named "top fundraiser" as an Asthma Walk team captain. Prior to her fundraising career, she spent 18 years in the airline industry.
Sally looks forward to boosting Beyond OCD's brand awareness in hopes of educating others about the complexities of OCD.
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