Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Patients Challenged to ‘Dare to Believe’ in National Program

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Northwest Arkansas and the International OCD Foundation have launched Dare to Believe, a campaign to challenge the stereotypes of mental illness and encourage OCD sufferers to commit to overcoming the disorder. “Dare to Believe...together we can beat OCD” is one of the campaign’s signature messages that will be featured prominently during OCD Awareness Week, to be celebrated Oct. 10-16, with events across the United States and Canada.

On Oct. 15, the International OCD Foundation will host a live national event, broadcast online, featuring art, music, storytelling and more. “A Night to Believe” on Oct. 15 will be live-streamed online at www.ocfoundation.org from 6-8 p.m. CST.

The event will be held from from 5-8 p.m. in the University of Arkansas, department of psychology, in Memorial Hall, room 113.  Memorial Hall is located on Maple Street at the corner of Maple and Leverett streets in Fayetteville. Parking is available in Blue Lot # 32 across the street from the Graduate Education Building and the Army ROTC building about a half block from Memorial Hall.

The campaign encourages OCD suffers to “Dare to Believe…there is hope” and “Dare to Believe…treatment works.”

The International OCD Foundation is the nation’s leading resource and advocacy group for those with obsessive-compulsive disorder, their families, and medical professionals. The IOCDF funds research, provides access to treatment, educates professionals to treat OCD and annually presents the country’s largest national event dedicated to OCD an related disorders.

OCD NW Arkansas provides support and resources for OCD sufferers and their families within a radius of 100 miles of Fayetteville.

Some 4 million Americans suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder. There is no cure for OCD, though its symptoms can be effectively managed through treatment, including therapy and medication.

“OCD is the doubting disease; patients find themselves in compulsive rituals because of the doubts in their minds,” said Jeff Szymanski, executive director of the International OCD Foundation. “Through our ‘Dare to Believe’ campaign we want OCD sufferers to confront and overcome those doubts, knowing that there is a larger community supporting them throughout their journeys.”

For more information on OCD Awareness Week visit www.ocfoundation.org. Contact: Suzanne Meunier, Ph.D., at 479-301-2543, Jeffrey M. Lohr, Ph.D., at 479-575-4256, or www.ocdnwarkansas.org