Did you know that 1 in 100 adults likely have OCD? And up to 1 in 200 children? That’s a half a million children in the U.S. alone, and 100 students in Fayette County Public Schools.
OCD can be a debilitating disorder, but there is treatment that can help. Unfortunately, it can take up to 14–17 years from the first onset of symptoms for people to get access to effective treatment, due to obstacles such as stigma and a lack of awareness about mental health, and OCD in particular.
Can you imagine having a broken foot and waiting five years to find a doctor who was trained to treat you?
I’m lucky. Although my symptoms started around fifth grade, it only took me five years, 21 drug combo trials, two psychiatrists, eight therapists, two ER visits, and two residential treatment stays to begin to emerge from the nightmare that OCD caused in my brain. You don’t have to wait this long to get help.
OCD Awareness Week is an international effort to raise awareness and understanding about obsessive compulsive disorder and related disorders, with the goal of helping more people to get timely access to appropriate and effective treatment. Launched in 2009 by the IOCDF, OCD Awareness Week is now celebrated by a number of organizations across the U.S. and around the world, with events such as OCD screening days, lectures, conferences, fundraisers, online Q&A’s, and more.
If you, or someone you love struggles or think you may struggle with OCD or anxiety, there is a great event on Oct. 17 featuring speakers who are living healthy, happy lives despite struggling with OCD. (Visit www.ocdgeorgia.org/events.html for more information. It’s free.)
If you can’t make it to the workshop but are interested in joining a support group for either OCD strugglers or caregivers, please visit www.rileyswish.com/contact/ and “contact us.” We hope to have support groups in Fayette County up and thriving soon.
Please don’t suffer in silence. This is a treatable condition, and I want to help you. You rock! Seriously, if you’ve got this disorder, you’re a tough cookie. There is hope.
Carol Thomas
Student, Open Campus
Fayette County Public Schools
Fayetteville, Ga.
