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OCD Awareness Week
A week to raise awareness of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which co-occurs with autism more often than in the general population. Distinguishing OCD from autism is clinically important, they share some features but require different approaches.
History
OCD Awareness Week is organized by the International OCD Foundation. It aims to reduce stigma, improve access to evidence-based treatment, and educate the public about what OCD actually is versus common misconceptions. A 2019 meta-analysis estimated that about 9 percent of autistic people have a diagnosis of OCD.
How to Participate
- →Learn about the clinical differences between autism and OCD, they can look similar
- →Understand that exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the gold standard for OCD
- →Advocate for mental health providers who understand both autism and OCD
- →Support access to specialized OCD treatment for autistic individuals
- →Share accurate OCD information, the disorder is often misrepresented in media
OCDCO-OCCURRINGMENTAL-HEALTHTREATMENT