OCD Niagara Home Page Updated 30-Sep-06
Who we are
We are a volunteer group dedicated to providing a support and information network in the Niagara Region for those with OCD, their family and friends. We work closely with the provincial OCD organization, OCD Ontario.
The following services are currently provided by OCD Niagara:
- Establishment of an OCD Support Group in the Niagara Region
- Providing information and resources about OCD through this website
- Providing information for children and teens with OCD through this website
Support Group
Our Support Group meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Niagara Regional Headquarters, 2201 St. David's Rd., St. Catharines (at Merrittville Hwy. across from Brock University) from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. This self help group is open to all adults with OCD as well as parents, friends and family members of those with OCD. If you are interested in attending this group or know of anyone who may be, please feel free to contact us.
What is OCD?
OCD stands for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. A very simple description of OCD is that it is a condition in which an individual experiences recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions are defined as repetitive thoughts, ideas, or impulses that an individual experiences as inappropriate, intrusive, and unwanted. Compulsions are defined as repetitive behaviors that an individual feels driven to perform in an effort to avoid or decrease the anxiety created by obsessions.
In OCD, obsessions are not just exaggerated fears about real-life situations, and usually are not directly connected to commonplace problems such as normal relationship, academic, or financial concerns. In fact, the individual with OCD is quite often very distressed precisely because he or she recognizes that the thoughts are excessive, irrational and/or inappropriate. Compulsions may appear in various forms, including recurrent observable behaviors such as hand washing, repetitive mental compulsions such as praying rituals, or avoidant behaviors that have an almost phobic quality. Often, these obsessions and compulsions are a source of considerable shame and embarrassment, leading the individual to go to great lengths to hide his or her symptoms. The obsessions and compulsions can be extremely time-consuming, often taking up many hours of a person's day. As a result, OCD frequently causes significant emotional distress, and may greatly interfere with academic and professional functioning, as well as interpersonal relationships.
The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is a commonly used OCD Screening Test to determine the severity of OCD.
Disclaimer
By accessing this site users accept, without limitation, the following terms and conditions.Content is provided without representation or warranty of any kind. Users of the Site do so at their own risk. The information provided on the Site is provided for educational information purposes only. It is not designed or intended to constitute medical advice or to be used for diagnosis. Due to unique individual needs, users should consult their own personal physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for their specific situation and before making any decision regarding treatment and/or medication. Online resources are not a substitute for the personalized judgment and care of a trained medical professional. No party involved in creating, producing or delivering this website is liable for any direct, incidental, consequential, indirect or punitive damages arising out of use of the Site.
