When you’re dealing with a misunderstood and stigmatized condition like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), having relevant, factual information can be life-changing. Suddenly, the symptoms that may have once felt so isolating become experiences shared with millions of people around the world. Feelings of shame and self-blame can start to melt away. Hopelessness can be replaced with a path forward—because OCD is highly treatable, and there are countless stories of how the right care can transform lives.
At NOCD, we know the power of this perspective shift because many of us have experienced it ourselves. That’s why we’re committed to bringing you articles that genuinely help you understand OCD, provide you with helpful tips for navigating day-to-day life with it, and give you a glimpse of what’s possible with exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, the most effective treatment for OCD.
This roundup of must-read articles highlights 5 OCD resources that captured our community’s attention and remain highly relevant for their evidence-based insights. Whether you’re a long-time NOCD Member or you’re new to our community, we hope this list helps you discover some helpful resources you may have missed the first time around.
1. What to know when OCD makes you feel ashamed
OCD often grabs onto taboo or disturbing topics or themes, creating shame in the form of anxiety and fear that you’ll be judged or misunderstood. In these moments, it can feel difficult to understand that intrusive thoughts say nothing about who you are as a person. This resource explains why OCD can create these feelings of shame and breaks down the steps you can take to separate who you are from what OCD is making you think and feel. Read more
2. How to respond to distressing intrusive memories
Intrusive memories are just like any other intrusive thought—they can happen to everyone, and many people simply shrug them off. But for people with OCD, they can feel impossible to move past, whether they’re tainted with guilt, sources of stress, or distorted and unclear. If OCD latches onto your intrusive memories, this resource provides a breakdown of the different kinds of intrusive memories, explains why we have them, and shares what you can do to take their power away. Read more
3. The transformational advice that helped me conquer OCD
“Invest in yourself.” Through years of suffering, misdiagnosis, and ineffective treatments for OCD, those three simple words kept Stephen Smith, CEO and Co-founder of NOCD, fighting for the future he knew was possible: one where OCD no longer controlled his every waking moment. In this article, Stephen opens up about his journey from being housebound by OCD to launching the world’s leading provider of OCD treatment. His story emphasizes the value of seeking specialized care as a form of self-investment, underscoring that with the right treatment, it’s possible to conquer OCD and lead a fulfilling life. Read more
4. Why is it so hard to find an OCD therapist?
Finding the right therapist is important, but for many people with OCD, it also proves to be difficult. You might be wondering why this is the case—and if there’s anything you can do about it. For answers, we called on two OCD experts, who provided an explanation and helpful tips to guide your search. They also shared a reminder of why the search is worthwhile: A therapist with specialized training in OCD and ERP therapy can help you develop lifelong skills for managing OCD. Read more
5. What to expect if you’re newly diagnosed with OCD
An OCD diagnosis can bring a spark of hope after years of struggling. However, it can also bring further questions: Will I have these thoughts forever? What does the treatment process look like? This resource answers these and other common questions about what the path forward might look like after receiving an OCD diagnosis. Each answer ties back to one important message: OCD is highly treatable, and you don’t have to struggle forever. Read more
Your most powerful OCD resource
We hope these articles can provide you with new perspectives, helpful tools, and—perhaps most importantly—a reminder that you’re not alone. However, it’s important to remember that while learning more about OCD can be beneficial, it’s just the first step on the journey to conquering it. The next step is to take action by seeking out evidence-based OCD treatment, the most powerful resource in your fight against OCD.
That’s where we can help. At NOCD, every one of our therapists is specialty-trained in the intricacies of OCD and ERP therapy, the gold-standard treatment for OCD, by world-renowned experts in the field. This rigorous training ensures that our therapists truly understand OCD—even the most taboo and stigmatized symptoms. The effectiveness of our approach was validated in the largest peer-reviewed study of OCD treatment ever.
If you’d like to learn more about working with a NOCD Therapist who can help you take the power away from OCD, please schedule a free 15-minute call with our team. They can help answer your questions about treatment, walk you through the process of getting started with ERP, and match you with the right specialty-trained therapist for you.