Kaleidescope: Diverse OCD Community in New York Unites to Promote Awareness

They say strength comes in numbers, but it also comes in the form of unity. Volunteers, professionals in the OCD field, fledging students in psychology, researchers, and individuals impacted by OCD came out in full force recently to show their support. Unity and the promotion of awareness were the core themes of the broadening OCD community. Together we were united and took a stellar bite out of the Big Apple as the New York State Affiliate of IOCDF launched its first official OCD awareness conference on the lush grounds of our gracious host and co-sponsor Hofstra University for an entire week dedicated to OCD Awareness from October 11th 2010 to October 17th 2010.

The week was capped off with a spectacular turn out on Saturday October 16th 2010 which consisted of an entire day filled with a multitude of stimulating events starting in the morning with various workshops geared towards enriching the knowledge base of professionals in the field on the latest treatment approaches and options for individuals affected with OCD. Starting off these professional workshops, esteemed Hofstra University faculty member and psychologist, Dr. Joseph Scardapane was kind enough to share his fruitful experience in treating OCD individuals with ACT or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Sony Khemlani-Patel then spoke about Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Along with Dr. Khemlani-Patel’s description of the psychological treatment of BDD, Dr. Steven Poskar gave an enlightening perspective on the optimal pharmacological treatment of individuals with BDD. Our third workshop was on the treatment of OCD for children and adolescents given by two well known experts in the field – Drs. Aureen Pinto Wagner and Andrew Gilbert.

Following these informative workshops for professionals we opened up the forum for a larger group of attendees consisting of non-professionals, individuals who have been successful in managing their OCD symptoms, people currently seeking help in the form of professional treatment, involved family and loved ones of individuals with OCD, students in psychology interested in working with individuals affected by OCD, as well as ardent supporters seeking to further promote OCD awareness and destigmatize the condition.

Well respected and internationally recognized expert on OCD and OCD spectrum disorders, Dr. Fugen Neziroglu the founder and Director of Bio-Behavioral Institute in Great Neck, New York and the President of the newly established OCDNY and Mitchel Schare, PhD Full professor in the department of Psychology at Hofstra University and Director for the PhD programs in Clinical Psychology and Combined Clinical and School Psychology gave a warm welcome message to all those in attendance at the conference before opening up the afternoon and evening listing of scheduled presenters. There was a progression on topics discussed earlier within the workshops geared specifically towards professionals and later on in the day for non-professionals and professionals who were in attendance as well. Although everyone had the option to select which workshops and presentations to attend, it was rewarding to see that most were surprisingly in attendance throughout the entire day.

Additional speakers throughout the day included Dr. Eric Hollander talking about innovative medication options for OCD spectrum disorders, pharmacological options, and augmentative medication in the treatment of OCD symptoms. Dr. Fugen Neziroglu, then delivered a sobering and informative presentation on her lifelong experience and research treating individuals with OCD and the reality underlying overcoming treatment obstacles in CBT for individuals with OCD. Following this, Dr. Wayne Goodman, co-founder of the IOCDF (originally named the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation) provided us with an extensive and impressive compilation of findings on his success in treating these treatment resistant individuals with OCD utilizing deep brain stimulation, an innovative and invasive surgical procedure whereby electrodes are implanted inside the patient’s brain to alter their neurochemistry and brain waves with minimal risk and reversibility.

A two-hour Q&A followed with a panel of experts including Matthew Jakofsky, Psy.D. from Bio-Behavioral Institute; Dean McKay, Ph.D. of Fordham University; Merry McVey-Noble, Ph.D., of Hofstra University; Steven Phillipson, Ph.D., Clinical Director of the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy; Steven Poskar, M.D, and Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D. The Q&A period was enlightening as well and aided in dispelling misinformation about OCD as well as attendees shared their personal struggles in dealing with the disorder.

After a one hour intermission to enjoy some dinner on the campus of our host Hofstra University we reconvened for the highlight of the entire day and evening known as OCD Stories a live, national telecast to promote an evening of reflection, humor, and education about OCD. The telecast included viewers in the audience and members of the IOCDF affiliate at McLean Institute in Massachusetts and our audience as well as members of the New York Affiliate of the IOCDF on the Hostra University campus. Everyone felt honored and deep gratitude for all the heroic speakers for sharing their personal stories and revelations vividly detailing their struggles with OCD and how it impacts them and their families. It was truly a remarkable ending to a remarkable day. The educational workshops, informative and dedicated lecturers, and courage of the protagonists in the OCD Stories who were able to candidly share their personal experiences marked a successful hallmark for our foundation’s aim to destigmatize and promote awareness on OCD.

A wonderful time was enjoyed by everyone and we have received extremely positive feedback from those who were in attendance. You can find out about upcoming events, fundraisers, how to become a member of IOCDF, make a donation and much more by continuously referring to our website for the latest news at www.ocdny.org ocdny@ocfoundation.org or calling the phone number for our New York State Affiliate at 516-442-9621.

Fugen Neziroglu, President, OCD New York
Deniz Sidali, OCD New York Volunteer