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Four Types of OCD Support Groups You Can Turn To

Obsessive-compulsive disorder may not be life-threatening but it can definitely threaten your way of life and quality of living. Many people are finally getting help for it through both medications as well as cognitive behavior therapy. However, there are times when a person might need more of a boost than what the medication and therapy gives. Luckily, there are support groups available that can help.

There are a few types of support groups available that cater to people with OCD. One type of group is supported and lead by a medical professional and the group session are often therapeutic and structured. Other groups may lend more of a friendly shoulder to cry on, theoretically speaking, where the environment is empathetic, informal and supportive. These informal groups are often led by fellow OCD sufferers.

Groups Run by a Mental Health Professional

Group therapy might be a more apt term to this type of OCD support group led by a mental health professional. OCD member do pay for these sessions often times (although some free ones do exist) and the professional leads the discussions. Sometimes, these group help sessions are an extension of the private individual cognitive behavior therapy appointments.

Support Groups Led by Other OCD Sufferers

Often called a mutual support group, these are led by fellow OCD sufferers who have been there and experienced what other patients have. Typically, the OCD sufferers who lead these groups are those who have been in therapy and have a good handle on their disorders and are successfully managing their symptoms and leading fairly normal lives.

These mutual support groups often talk about pertinent OCD issues such as the latest in OCD medication therapies, their thoughts and experiences with cognitive therapy and much more. Sometimes, guest speakers are invited to talk about a specific subject that the OCD members wish to learn more about.

Giving Obsessive Compulsive Another Lifestyle (GOAL) Groups

The GOAL support group is led by OCD members but a medical therapy professional is on hand to provide medical and technical advice as needed. The goal of this GOAL group is to prevent the relapse of recovering OCD sufferers by using various techniques, particularly ERP or exposure and response prevention therapy. This type of therapy involves repeated exposure to the very compulsive behaviors without acting on them. Say for instance that a person abhors germs and would refuse to touch door knobs. The ERP therapy exposes the recovering OCD sufferer to door knobs and requires them to open the door without running to the bathroom to wash their hands or grabbing a can of Lysol to spray the door knob down.

Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous Groups

Just like with Alcoholics Anonymous, there is a nation-wide support group called Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous or OCA. These group meetings are led by OCD sufferers who have a handle on their disorder and follow a 12-step program patterned after AA. As this is a national organization, you can find support group meetings by contacting the main OCA headquarters.

Not all types of support groups are a one size fits all. If you are suffering from OCD, you have to decide which support group would best suit your needs, lifestyle and mentality. You are the one that has to live with OCD, so you should at least feel comfortable with the right support group to help you get a handle on the disorder.