action
Issue 43, Winter
INSIDE
COMING OUT
- the secret dilemma
OCD at Work
Don’t let OCD steal your
dreams - MEMBER’S STORY
Plus regular features & listings
Issue 43, Winter
1
Welcome
Dear Friends,
As you can see from the front of
this newsletter, we have updated
our logo. I hope that you like the new
style, it’s fresh and modern but most
important of all is the strapline,
Issue
WINTE43,
R
COVER STORY:
cret dilemma p 6
coming out – the se
This is meant for all of us. We need to take
action to explain to people about OCD. We
need to ensure that more teachers, school
counsellors, GPs and others in the
community all recognise the symptoms of
OCD as soon as possible. We need to Act to
make sure that primary care trusts have in
place CBT treatment without long waiting
lists. We need to Act to make sure that the
public are aware of mental illness and we
need to fight hard to remove the stigma.
This year we launched our advocacy
service in the north-west. I was delighted to
attend the first training session put on by
Jude in Manchester. We had a fantastic
turnout from support groups gathering
together from all over the country. It was a
truly wonderful day and I was privileged to
meet so many of the support group leaders
and hear about the very important work that
they are doing. There was a real sense of
action on the day and I, along with many
others, felt energised and empowered.
We have also now launched OCD Week,
the first of its kind in the country. OCD Week
(6th – 13th February 2010) is not just about
conferences and webinars, it is also about
the Day of Action. We are already helping a
2
number of people put on their own
awareness events in their community,
lifting the veil of ignorance that surrounds
OCD.
We are doing all these things but we need
your help. Why not join our growing list of
awareness champions to spread the word
about OCD? Why not get onto our new
online forums and give support,
encouragement and friendship to others or
sign up to take part in OCD Week’s Day of
Action? There are lots of ways that you can
take action yourself and we are here to help
you. Please visit our new website,
www.ocdaction.org.uk or call the office for
more information.
So as I sign off this letter at the end of
2009, I want to say thanks to all of you who
are part of OCD Action; our volunteers,
support group leaders, our forum
moderators and staff. I look forward to
working with you all in the New Year and
taking action to improve the lives of those
affected by OCD.
Wishing you all Happy Christmas and
Season’s Greetings,
Daniel
Contents
Welcome to the latest edition of “action”, our members
newsletter. We received lots of positive feedback after our
recent redesign and have responded to requests for more
practical information and strong cover stories. As ever,
if you have any comments or would like to submit any
contributions, please contact the OCD Action office.
OCD Action
Suite 506 – 507
Davina House,
137-149 Goswell Road,
London EC1V 7ET
Tel 020 7253 5272
Email [email protected]
Helpline 0845 390 6232
Welcome from the chair������������������������������������������������������������������������2
Coming Out - The Secret Dilemma���������������������������������������������������6
Director’s Report�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9
OCD at Work������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 10
Members Story�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16
Listings���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22
OCD Action’s vision
is of a society where
Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder (OCD) is
better understood and
diagnosed quickly, where
appropriate treatment
options are open and
accessible, where support
and information are readily
available and where
nobody feels ashamed to
ask for help.
Newsletter design: www.neographica-creative.com
Issue 43, Winter
3
0
1
0
2
k
e
e
OCD W
informing
engaging,
events
inspiring
and
Events
OCD Week London Conference
OCD Week 2010 is a week
of engaging, informing and
inspiring events to provide
support and encouragement
to everyone affected by OCD.
This is the first ever OCD Week
and marks the start of what we
hope is a new era, one where
OCD is better understood
and diagnosed quickly, where
appropriate treatment options
are open and accessible, where
support and information are
readily available and where
nobody feels ashamed to ask
for help.
Conference and Webinar
presenters include
n Paul Salkovskis
n Simon Darnley
n David Veale
n Rob Willson
n Satwant Singh
n Katie d’Ath
n Jude Wynne
n Karina Lovell
n Costas Papageorgiou
and a host of inspirational
speakers.
4
When:Saturday 6th February, 10.00 – 16.30
Where:New Academic Building (London School of
Economics), Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3LJ
Nearest tube: Holborn (5 minutes walk) Temple
(5 minutes), Charing Cross (15 minutes)
Tickets:£20 / £15*
A one day conference for people with OCD, their friends, families, and
carers designed to give practical help and support on a range of issues
common to all aspects of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The day
brings together inspirational speakers and some of the country’s leading
experts on OCD. You can be sure to have your questions answered
through a mixture of Q&A panels and focused workshops including
sessions on making CBT work, understanding depression, knowing your
rights, good support groups and family involvement in treatment.
On arrival, you will be able to choose two workshops out of six.
More information available at www.ocdweek.org or contact the
OCD Action office on 020 7253 5272
www.ocdweek.org
Online Webinars
As with the London conference, this day brings together inspirational
speakers and some of the country’s leading experts on OCD. You
can be sure to have your questions answered through a mixture of
Q&A panels and focused workshops including sessions on self help,
knowing your rights, and understanding depression.
On arrival, you will be able to choose two workshops out of six.
More information available at www.ocdweek.org or contact the
OCD Action office on 020 7253 5272
For more information and to book on-line
When: Friday 12th February
Where:Everywhere
A ‘webinar’ is a web-based seminar that allows participants to
interact with the speaker during the session, typing in questions and
receiving answers in real time. All you need is a computer connected
to the internet (broadband recommended). Webinars can be viewed
using your internet browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari).
Ticketholders will be contacted in advance of their chosen webinar
with details of how to log on and take part.
Each OCD Week webinar will be led by a leading mental health
practitioner and will offer participants the opportunity to find out the
latest in-depth research and information on a specific OCD topic.
Places are limited, but please do not worry if you miss out; a recording
of the session will be made available on the OCD Week website
following the event.
TOPIC
Speaker
When
(February)
Webinar 1
Reassurance Paul Salkovskis
Tues 9, 6.15pm
Webinar 2
Hoarding
Satwant Singh
Tues 9, 7.15pm
Webinar 3
Health
anxiety
Rob Willson
Wed 10, 6.15pm
Webinar 4
Phobias
Triumph Over
Phobia
Wed 10, 7.15pm
Webinar 5
Habit
disorders
Simon Darnley
Thur 11, 6.15pm
Webinar 6
Panic
Colin Hammond
Thur 11, 7.15pm
Webinar 7
BDD
David Veale
Fri 12, 6.15pm
Webinar 8
Depression
Depression
Alliance
Fri 12, 7.15pm
CCBT 1
CBT on-line
Nick Niziolomski
Tues 9, 5pm
CCBT 1
CBT on-line
Nick Niziolomski
Wed 10, 5pm
CCBT 1
CBT on-line
Nick Niziolomski
Thur 11, 5pm
CCBT 1
CBT on-line
Nick Niziolomski
Fri 12, 5pm
OCD Week Manchester Conference
When: S
aturday 13th February, 10.00 – 16.30
Where: Manchester Conference Centre, Sackville Street,
Manchester M1 3BB
Nearest station: Manchester Piccadilly (5-10 minutes walk)
Tickets:£20 / £15*
National Day of Action
When: Monday 8th – Friday 12th February
Where:On a computer near you
Tickets:Free but limited places
Day of Action is your chance to make
as much noise as possible about OCD.
If you have had enough of the veil of
ignorance and prejudice that surrounds
OCD, now is your chance to do
something about it.
n Question Time
Senior representatives from the three
main political parties are lined up to
answer your questions – ask them
about their plans to improve mental
health services.
n Campaign
Use our resources to ask your local NHS
organisation what they are doing about
CBT waiting lists.
n Add your event
Join our team of awareness champions
and run a local awareness event.
We can help with resources, advice and
local media coverage, as well as listing
your event on the OCD Week calendar.
Presented by
Supported by
visit www.ocdweek.org or call 020 7253 5272
Issue 43, Winter
5
The Secret Dilemma
‘Coming out’ about one’s OCD (e.g. to friends) can be a daunting prospect.
George Hourmouzios explores how and why, aided by the insight of two OCD-ers.
T
elling people I had OCD
was a big issue at first for
me”, admits 26-year-old
Jordan. At the age of 19, he
sought professional help,
which is something he would
encourage all OCD-ers (people
with OCD) to do. After all,
finding effective treatment was
the breakthrough for Jordan
and has been / will be for
millions of others.
However, ‘coming out’ to
friends and acquaintances
(and in some cases, family) can
be much less straightforward.
“At first I said it was
depression, then anxiety. And
6
if people used to ask me to
expand on that, I’d say it was
general and I couldn’t describe
it”, says Jordan. Situations
provoking this white lie
included his declining
invitations to nights out and
opting out of university – both
due to the restrictive and
debilitating effects of his OCD.
Jordan believes it isn’t
always appropriate or helpful
to tell anyone and everyone
willy-nilly. “The first hesitation I
have is whether it is relevant”,
he explains. “I wonder what I
would be trying to achieve by
telling a given person. And
telling them unprompted may
put them in an unnecessarily
awkward position. I guess it’s a
bit like revealing you are gay.
Unless there was a reason to
tell someone, they would
probably question the need or
motive.” On this theme, an
encounter with a diabetic
friend resonated with Jordan.
“I only found out he had
diabetes after two years of
knowing him. When I asked
why he hadn’t told me before,
he simply explained that he
didn’t see the need to
introduce himself with: ‘Hi, I’ve
got diabetes’. His condition
only came to light when I saw
him injecting insulin. Therefore,
I only tell people about my
OCD if they notice something,
e.g. my taking medication or
seeing my psychiatrist. Only
then would I explain it. So
there are friends of mine who
still don’t know I have OCD. On
the other hand, my friends who
were with me during my really
bad times knew because they
noticed my overt symptoms.”
Fear of being misunderstood
or judged is another major
factor. Alan, a 55-year old
American who has been
battling OCD since early
childhood, tailors what he
reveals according to his
estimation of the accuracy of
each person’s understanding
of OCD or their ability to grasp
OCD concepts. “It would be
easier to explain OCD if I was
starting with a clean slate
rather than having to first
eradicate their preconceived
notions about it. Most people
equate the increasingly
common colloquial use of the
term ‘OCD’ with the genuine
condition. For example, you
will hear some people
mistakenly say they have ‘a
touch of OCD’ because they
keep their room neat and tidy”,
explains Alan. Another
confusing colloquialism
involves the word ‘obsessive’
He adds: “People equate it
with desire, pleasure or reward
etc. rather than the intrusive
thoughts that plague someone
who really does have OCD.”
An example might be ‘I’m
obsessed with George
Clooney. He’s so good
looking!’
A more serious concern can
best be described using the
OCD sub-types involving
violent or sexual-related
intrusive thoughts. The great
irony about OCD-ers who
experience these thoughts is
that they are statistically
among the least likely people
in the world to carry out such
sexual or violent acts.
However, the dread that other
people will fail to grasp this
between closeness of
friendship and ability to
understand or empathise. “I
deliberately haven’t disclosed
to some friends, even close
ones, that I was hospitalized at
one point for my OCD.”
On a brighter note, the
determination of OCD Action
and the rest of the OCD
community to increase
understanding and awareness
is slowly paying off. “OCD may
not have come as far as, say,
depression in terms of public
understanding and
acceptance,” says Jordan, “but
I think it is becoming better
I think it is becoming better
understood and I’m becoming
less fearful of telling people.
concept is an understandable
concern for them. “Take for
example an intrusive thought
an OCD-er might have that
they could harm or molest their
child”, he suggests. “They
experience this thought
despite the fact that the very
idea absolutely appals them.
Yet their potential confidant(e)
- i.e. the person they would
consider “coming out” to
- would probably assume
these thoughts actually
represented genuine (perhaps
repressed) desires.”
Jordan also warns against
assuming a correlation
understood and I’m becoming
less fearful of telling people.
Perhaps the positive feedback
I’ve had when I have told
people has also helped. It’s
often less of an issue than one
anticipates.”
The thought of discussing
their thoughts and
compulsions provokes shame
and embarrassment for many
OCD-ers. But doing so – in
appropriate circumstances can lead to immense relief.
Achieving self-acceptance,
including the realization that it
is a lifetime condition (albeit
one that can be managed very
Issue 43, Winter
7
The Secret Dilemma
effectively) that is nothing to be
ashamed of, can facilitate the
process of ‘coming out’.
Alan is also glad to have told
many of his friends. “Among
those I’ve told that have been
astute enough to have had at
least an inkling of what OCD
really was, many have
appreciated how it has cleared
up unanswered questions they
had about me: notably, my
difficulty in maintaining
adequate employment and
entering into relationships with
women. They reveal that my
lifestyle had previously been
an enigma to them.”
Importantly, this revelation has
made the friendships easier
from Alan’s point of view too.
So, when would the
reluctance to ‘come out’ be the
strongest? Well, the workplace
remains another kettle of fish,
as far as Jordan is concerned.
“In terms of anyone I’d never
tell, prospective employers
would definitely come under
that category.” The unfortunate
reality is that, even nearly a
decade into the 21st century,
anything that flags up ‘health
issues’ can put one at a
disadvantage, especially when
one is competing against other
applicants. He adds, “When it’s
a case of a number of factors
being weighed up by the
employer, I think OCD is likely
to pull you down. They will
wonder who is likely to stay in
the job and not have sick days.
Similarly, universities are likely
8
Director’s Report
Raising the profile of OCD
I
to wonder who is going to last
the course. When I worked at
the NHS, I didn’t let them know
the full details. I know
it’s meant to be covered under
the Disability Discrimination Act
(DDA) but I guess I thought it
wasn’t their business. I felt the
only thing that my managers
needed to know was that I had
anxiety issues: and luckily, they
were very supportive of that.
When I had days off, they
never queried it. And when
I’ve applied to other jobs
and I’ve had occupational
health screenings, I haven’t
declared it.” *
The burning question is how
can the situation be improved?
Over to Alan. “There is no
significant political lobby or
massive media coverage to
raise awareness of OCD like
there is for race, ethnicity,
gender orientation, the
environment or even other
mental health conditions.
* for more information about your rights at work see page 10
Because of the lack of
awareness, many OCD-ers,
as I did, only reveal a fraction (if
any) of what is troubling them,
for many years. Internalised
guilt traps the rest in an
impenetrable reserve.” It took
Alan more than 30 years to
even become aware that his
intrusive thoughts and ritualistic
behaviour belonged to the
recognised condition of OCD.
During those lost years, the
dilemma of ‘coming out’ was
not even a dot on the horizon.
And although Alan’s case is an
extreme example, we have a
steep hill to climb to achieve
the ultimate goal of removing
the stigma surrounding OCD,
when ‘coming out’ will be an
irrelevant phrase.
Until then, Alan neatly
summaries his advice to all
OCD-ers contemplating
‘coming out’. “Start with
someone who you trust will
understand.”
n the last director’s report,
I talked about how the
focus for the year 2008-09
was all about making sure our
services were of the highest
quality and that the charity
was on a secure footing with
an agreed strategic plan.
I also said how this year,
2009-10, the focus would be
on spreading the word about
OCD and what OCD Action
can do to help. Well so far, we
are on track.
OCD WEEK
As I am sure you know, we
announced OCD Week at
the end of October. This is
a really ambitious project
for us, putting on two major
conferences, over 14
webinars, co-ordinating
politicians and supporting
Day of Action events. One
of the reasons why we
have chosen to run OCD
Week is that it gives us a
better platform to get “out
and about” and spread the
word to a wider audience.
designed to attract more
visitors and help them to not
only access the information
that they want but also to join
in with the online-community
to get support, understanding
and friendship.
Media work
Since the last newsletter,
we have also been able to
increase the amount of media
coverage concerning OCD.
This has been largely due to
members who have signed
up to share their story with
journalists and our team of
outstanding media volunteers
who have been working
away to build contacts and
persuade journalists that OCD
is something they should be
talking about. If you want to
help with our media work
please contact the OCD
Action office.
Our image
Another change since the
last newsletter has been our
re-branding. We wanted to
project a fresher image and
above all, to get across our
main message that “it’s time
to act”. We are also now
going through the process of
re-designing and updating all
our material from awareness
posters to information packs.
Thank you to all our volunteers
who make all this possible
website
You may also have noticed
that we have updated
our website again.
The “new new”
website is
Issue 43, Winter
9
OCD at Work
Advocacy is about exploring options, securing your rights, providing
representation and enabling people to take the opportunity to regain power
and control over their lives.
O
n World Mental Health
Day this year, Gordon
Brown joined the ranks of
those calling for an end to the
stigma of mental ill health and
urged a “change in attitudes
and a fresh openness to
recognise mental health issues
across our society.” But for
people who want to re-enter
the world of work after months
or years of unemployment,
how quickly is that change
going to come?
Present government policy
is to find ways to enable those
with long or short term mental
health problems to return to
work and there are now a
number of groups and
individuals who can provide
Advisor’ or ‘New Deal Job
Broker’. Specialist mental
health schemes also provide
assistance and you can find
out what exists in your area by
asking your local CAB, or
Social Services, or Community
Mental Health Team.
However, in spite of all the
help on offer, many people
contacting OCD Action are
worried that they may be
discriminated against if they
declare their condition on any
job application form. Below
are some ideas and options
for you to consider but this
area of employment law is a
specialism and is constantly
developing so if you are
having issues or dilemmas
Many people are worried that
they may be discriminated against
if they declare their condition...
support for you if you want
either to return to work or
perhaps start work for the first
time. Your local job centre
should have access to a
‘Disability Employment
Advisor’. If they don’t, then ask
to speak to a ‘Personal
10
about disclosing your OCD
that aren’t answered by
general guidance, then you
should seek legal advice.
You can access free legal
advice from The Community
Legal Service and also get
advice from the Law Society.
Guidance can also be
obtained from organisations
such as the Law Disability
Service, the Equality and
Human Rights Commission,
ACAS and the TUC as well as
such services as the Mind
Legal Helpline. But it is always
best to check whether the
adviser handling your call is
legally qualified, if it is more
than just general background
advice that you are seeking.
A good place to start is with
guidance issued by the Trade
Union Congress (TUC) who
represent millions of workers
in this country. The TUC
provides a number of
information booklets both for
employers and employees
and in its booklet
“Representing and supporting
members with mental health
problems at work” endorsed by
the Equalities and Human
Rights Commission, it states:
“Many people with mental
health problems will have
conditions that fluctuate and it
may be that they can go for
long periods without having
any particular difficulties. This
means that many more people
with mental health problems
can obtain employment
successfully, provided that
employees are positive about
developing an inclusive work
culture that focuses on
supportive solutions for
individuals and improving the
work environment for
everyone.”
If however you are
considering working and you
have OCD, then there are two
pieces of legislation that you
should be aware of and that
could influence whether or not
you disclose that you have
OCD to your employer.
The Disability
Discrimination Act (DDA)
2005
The DDA says that Employers
or Education providers are not
allowed to discriminate against
you because you are disabled.
OCD is classed as a disability
(at the point of diagnosis)
under the Disability
Discrimination Act 2005.
TUC Guidance is as
follows:
“Disabled people are not
under a legal obligation to
disclose their disability or long
term health condition,
although if they chose not to
do so, this may affect their
ability to assert their legal
rights under the Disability
Discrimination Act (DDA) See
paragraphs 7.27 and 7.28 of
the Disability Rights
Commission’s Statutory Code
of Practice on Employment
and Occupation available from
the Equality and Human Rights
Commission website
Remember you can
get help with advocacy
issues by calling
OCD Action on
0845 390 6232
www.equalityhumanrights.com.
Decisions over disclosure are
deeply personal, but unions
should encourage members to
disclose their mental health
problem to the employer, as
the onus is then on the
employer to make reasonable
adjustments” (Representing
and supporting members with
mental health problems at
work- Guidance for Trade
Union Representatives- TUC)
What this means is:
If your potential employer has
made reasonable attempts to
find out about your health
condition and you have not
disclosed it, you may not be
Issue 43, Winter
11
OCD at Work
able to make a claim for
discrimination under the
Disability Discrimination Act
2005 (DDA), as the employer
can argue that they were not
aware of your condition.
If you do disclose any
mental health conditions, you
have the right for such
information to be kept
confidential. Any information
disclosed is protected both by
the DDA and the Data
Protection Act 2003.
You should be aware
however, that the DDA
currently covers organisations
that employ 15 or more
workers and some
organisations such as the
armed services, the Police and
the Fire Service are exempt.
Health and Safety at
Work Act 1974
Depending on the type of job
you apply for, you may also be
asked to complete a medical
questionnaire. This is to assess
whether there is a medical
reason why you cannot do the
job. If your disability or health
condition has an effect on your
ability to do the role, then the
employer must consider any
adjustments that would reduce
this. The Health and Safety at
Work Act states that if your
disability has implications for
the health and safety of
yourself or your colleagues,
you must tell your employer. If
your disability were to result in
an accident at work and you
had not told your employer
about it, you could be held
legally responsible.
Remember, employers (in
theory) cannot use any
information to discriminate,
only to anticipate any
reasonable adjustments
that may be needed.
Lying on your application
form could at worst put you
in breach of the Safety at Work
Act and at best put you at risk
of dismissal at a later date as
your employer could argue
that you have provided false or
inaccurate information to them
(you may have had to sign a
declaration on the end of your
application to say that the
information you have provided
is accurate and true).
Employers can’t use any
information to discriminate,
only to anticipate reasonable
adjustments needed.
12
From recent case law it seems
much depends on the actual
questions asked and how you
answer them and because of
this we would suggest an
expert opinion of a lawyer who
specialises in this area should
be sought if you are having
difficulties with your
application.
To disclose or not
to disclose
Having considered your
options and looked at the
pitfalls of disclosure or non
disclosure and taken relevant
advice, you may feel that
there is no reason to disclose
your condition as it is not
relevant and will not interfere
with your work. Perhaps you
have concerns about being
rejected by an employer or
that assumptions will be made
about your ability to do the
job, or that you will not get
promoted. Although negative
attitudes certainly do exist,
there is a strong argument for
disclosing. Many employment
agencies and advisors
advise disclosure because it
is a proactive, empowering
approach that has you setting
the agenda. It gives you the
opportunity to present your
disability confidently and
positively. Remember there
are many ways of disclosing.
For example, you may want
to put something about your
mental health condition in
a covering letter with your
CV, which could help explain
gaps in your education or
employment record. You may
feel more confident explaining
your condition in person at
your interview if you feel at
ease. An employer can only
ask questions about any
reasonable adjustments that
need to be made and are
not entitled to quiz you about
personal details and history.
Remember to keep their focus
on your ability rather than your
disability.
Some people feel that
disclosing their disability early
The Pros
n It can be very stressful to be
in a situation where you feel
you have to hide an illness- this
could make you feel worse.
problems accessing your rights
under the Act.
n By disclosing, you give your
employer the opportunity to
help and support you.
Problems at work can then be
seen as a result of your illness
rather than of poor performance.
n If you choose to disclose,
you are setting the agenda and
are able to portray your OCD in
the most positive way you can
and counter any unproductive
stereotypes that your employer
could come across if he or she
found out that you had the
condition.
n By disclosing, you have
protection under the Disability
Discrimination Act, if you have
not disclosed you may have
n Your employers may be
happy to ‘up’ their intake of
employees with disabilities- it
looks good on their books!
in the application process
simply allows a recruiter to
discriminate negatively that
much sooner and that they
won’t even be considered
for the job. Others accept
the message put out by a
number of employers that
disclosing early gets things
out in the open, allows the
employer to prepare for any
special provisions required
during the selection process,
and even gives them an early
opportunity to identify talent
from an under-represented
group in the workplace.
Some employers are keen
to employ disabled people.
Look out for the ‘two ticks’
disability symbol on job
advertisements - this means
that an employer has made
some commitment to
employing disabled people.
n You are likely to feel more
empowered and confident if
you are accepted into a job
where you know that your
employers are aware of your
condition and are seeking to
make adjustments to help you.
n Your disability information is
confidential – your rights are
protected under the Data
Protection Act 2003 and if you
disclose, you can remind your
employer of their obligation to
keep this information
confidential.
Issue 43, Winter
13
OCD at Work
The cons
n Discrimination against people
with any mental illness is still
common even in enlightened
companies. You may feel labelled
by your disability
n Your long term career goals
may be affected, if your
employers think you may
become ill at some point.
n You may not see your OCD as
a disability even if the law does.
n If you employer is not familiar
with OCD, he/ she may be
nervous of you and treat you
differently.
n Information may be shared
inadvertently or otherwise with
colleagues. (It is worth checking
the privacy/ confidentiality policy
of your intended employers). If
information is spread about your
condition without your consent
your employers may be in breach
of the Data Protection Act.
Remember, non disclosure may affect your rights under the
Disability Discrimination Act and lead to serious consequences
under the Safety at Work Act 1974, if failure to disclose your
disability has an impact on either your own health and safety or
that of your colleagues
At the root of much discrimination is miss-information. It could
be argued that the better informed people are, the more likely
they are to start understanding your condition and offer your
support. However, as we know this is not always the case. If you
do chose to disclose we will soon be able to provide you with a
handout that you can give your employer explaining OCD and
reminding them of their duties to you and your rights and
responsibilities to them. We are also working on a pack for
employers in order to combat misinformation in the workplace
around OCD. In the meantime if you choose to disclose here are
some tips you may want to consider.
be
Be clear and as confident as you can
about explaining your condition
14
TIPS for Disclosure!
n Be clear and as confident
as you can be about
explaining your condition- do
it in layman’s terms and don’t
blind them with science!
n If it helps, take in preprepared statement or fact
sheet about the condition
(OCD Action can help here).
n Try not to be emotive
but factual.
n Don’t go on at great
length- just be precise
n Make clear to your
employer any adjustments
that would have to be made
and why; but emphasize
the positive things you
could bring to your job,
your skills abilities and
experiences.
n Think about practice and
transferable skills you have
learnt as a consequence of
managing your OCD and
major on them.
n Do not assume that your
employer will have a
negative attitude towards
you because of your OCD
– they may not.
n Remember they should
only ask you questions
related to your OCD and
how it will affect your work,
field off other personal
questions.
n If you are unsure about
what you need to disclose,
you can speak to a careers
advisor at your local job
centre.
Member’s Poem
MARTIN
One precious flower, tender and rare
Had rooted alone in a meadow bare
It screamed out please farmer take care as you toil
I’m alone and I’m fragile, I need better soil
My time has not come, my leaves are unfurled
I have a great task to complete in this world.
But the combine was heavy and hard to control
The frail stem was cut as the blades took their toll.
A conservationist passing by
Saw the flower dying and wanted to cry
He perceived its rare beauty and his loving hands
With skill and devotion repaired its cut strands.
He moved it on to a garden nearby
It was placed in a vase where it could not die
The flower thought I can never go back to my roots
But I may seed and at least I can throw out new shoots
Those shoots will produce new flowers in the field
And my purpose in life will then be revealed.
It started to hope and grow stronger each day
The petals were opening, the shoots on their way
The head gardener said this flower is now strong
The flower said no I’m not ready, you’re wrong
But the gardener had other flowers seeking his care
And vast heavy plant books needing space there.
So the cut stem was put back in the bare soil again
And watered by tap when it needed fresh rain
The birds of the air and the trees of the field
Encouraged the soil it’s nutrients to yield
But shoots had not rooted it realised its doom
It’s seeds were still green, it could not bloom.
And a fountain of tears has now sprung from the ground
To water flowers blooming on a great mound
But the rarest of all will never again
Sing with the birds and dance in the rain
And will lessons be learned or will we just say
Best practice was followed, now go away
Joyce Salter
Judy Wynne, Advocacy Manager
Issue 43, Winter
15
Member’s Story
Kaarina Elisabeth
O
CD is a burden. It stops
you doing things you
want and makes constant
demands on your time to
the detriment of all else. It’s a
relentless bully that can make
you give up your dreams.
I want to encourage sufferers
not to abandon their dreams,
though, however bad it is.
If you can’t get rid of your
illness, find ways to live with
it. You might not be able to do
everything you want, but you
can aim to do some things. It is
in focusing on the things you
enjoy rather than on the OCD,
that you can start to get better.
Dreams for me meant
working in film and TV. I did
this, first without and then with
OCD. And I’m sure I wasn’t
the only one. Up to one in 40
are affected by the disorder,
meaning OCD sufferers are
everywhere, hiding their
condition from co-workers
and employers.
16
I guess in retrospect, even
before OCD, I was always overconscientious and prone to
burn-out as I tried to carry out
tasks perfectly.
Once OCD arrived though,
work became hard. Extreme
perfectionism, endless
deadlines and a fear of dirt
and chemicals when your job
involves getting your hands
dirty is no mean feat. You have
to constantly disregard the
OCD voice to get the job done.
That means feeling anxious,
often for weeks after filming
has finished.
The first time I recall OCD
appearing at work was filming
Henry VIII’s flag-ship, the Mary
Rose.
To keep the boat moist,
chemicals are pumped onto
her. (OCD sufferers will be
happy to learn a glass pane
separates the public from the
boat). Luckily I didn’t have to
go behind the glass - but I
was aware that both camera
and tripod had. They were
therefore contaminated
objects, to be avoided – pretty
hard when your job, as camera
assistant, is to handle both.
I had to console myself with
thoughts of a post-work long
shower, clothes-wash and
lunch-break (if I got one) spent
wiping said objects.
Such events occur with
amazing frequency in the world
of programme-making. At
Pinewood studios, one faces
the dust and chemicals of the
special effects department.
Then there was the time we
filmed at an old military base
that had housed nuclear
weapons. Needless to say
just standing in the place was
nauseating. What if a weapon
had leaked? What if the place
was radioactive? How could
we know? Had they ever done
checks? Thoughts of highly
dangerous chemicals with
a 1000-year shelf-life filled
my mind. This wasn’t helped
when I found myself in a
small chamber with the words
‘decontamination’ etched on
its walls.
In such situations, there
really is nothing one can do
except grin and bear it. The
problem starts once the shoot
finishes, as the next few weeks
are spent washing equipment
and clothes, showering
and washing clothes again.
The easy option is to throw
everything away, no matter
the cost. That way you don’t
contaminate the washing
machine, or end up with piles
of objects inside plastic bags,
waiting to be cleaned.
I didn’t throw everything
away, but even after
cleaning items, I stored
them in individual plastic
bags until a therapist visited
and got me to remove them.
Apart from chemicals found
on location, another problem
is chemicals used by the crew.
For example, one effective way
of eliminating squeaky wheels
when using a camera on rails
for moving shots, is to use talc.
The first time I learned this, I
had to make do with the local
shop’s chemically perfumed
variety. Quite horrifying. I
rigorously brushed off all traces
from the tracks after filming, not
wanting to harm future crews
with the chemicals. After that,
I always ensured I carried the
chemical-free variety.
Chemicals aren’t the only
hazard. Outdoor lighting, for
instance, involves cables
crossing dirty ground. That’s
more or less tolerable – unless
it happens to be a dogs’
messing area. Then you worry
if you’ll get a chance to clean
them before they’re moved.
Filming with a contamination
phobia is traumatising then.
But if that wasn’t bad enough, I
also, like many OCD sufferers,
have an over-zealous
conscience. This leads
to over-the-top health
and safety vigilance and
perfectionism.
Covering windows
with black cloth to block
thinking about it.
Then there is worrying about
breakages. I thought I cracked
a window once while stapling. I
didn’t have time to tell anyone
and wasn’t sure it was me
anyway. Even today I still feel
anxious about that.
Another problem is the what
if’s? i.e worrying about things
After cleaning items, I stored them
in individual plastic bags...
out daylight (so it looks like
you’re filming at night) is tricky.
Invariably it involves a staple
gun. When it’s time to take
the drapes down, people
often yank them and leave
the staples in – something
abhorrent to my conscience.
So I sneak off to remove them
when I get a spare moment.
Clearing up after a shoot is
also problematic. There’s gaffer
tap everywhere. I have to
remove every last piece or else
I feel bad. One time I left some
wire and screws behind and
almost travelled back to get
them. It took months to stop
that never happen. Cables
need to be perfectly labeled
and kept tidy at all times when
cable bashing (holding cables
so the camera person doesn’t
trip over them as they move). If
cables become messy or don’t
appear fixed perfectly to the
camera, I panic. The idea that
things don’t have to always be
perfect is difficult to handle.
The what-ifs apply to
production work too, where
you have to organize a shoot
(hotels, hiring local crews,
transport, filming permissions
etc…) What if the hired car
isn’t big enough? What if
Issue 43, Winter
17
Member’s Story
the local crew are no good?
What if permission is refused?
Invariably the what-ifs never
materialize and if they do,
they’re mostly out of your
control so not your fault. Try
telling OCD that though…
Through therapy I’m
learning to realize this. Other
people, I observe, are not so
perfectionist. When things
go wrong, they don’t blame
themselves. They just get on
with things.
For several years I muddled
along, alternating work periods
with washing periods. I was
extremely hard to remove.
Only when undergoing therapy
should one stop work.
When I tried to work again,
I found even part-time jobs
exhausted me as I would come
home and wash into the early
hours. So I had to give up and
go onto benefits.
Fortunately my story
doesn’t end there. I’m no
defeatist (one positive aspect
of my condition). Earlier this
year I passed a journalism
qualification that I undertook
against advice. I missed
or arrived absurdly late for
When I tried to work again, I
found part-time jobs exhausting
always poor as a result, but I
got by.
The last couple of years
have been difficult though.
Stupidly, I stopped work for a
month to wash my bedroom
contents (such as furniture
that had been in a storage unit
where there had been a large
floor stain. I was frightened
it might be battery acid - my
worst fear).
Stopping work was a big
mistake because focusing on
work and ignoring the OCD
voice stops it from getting
worse. Conversely when you
stop work and focus all your
time on OCD, the OCD takes
over. Small habits become
large, firmly entrenched, and
most classes, and burned
out through perfectionism,
but I passed. I even did work
experience at a national paper,
though perfectionism stopped
me meeting deadlines and left
me burned out after the two
week placement was up. So I
aim to do freelance work.
I wish one-to-one support
and advice were available to
people with OCD on benefits
to move back into work, but
unfortunately the system is
inflexible. I have found that
neither the Government nor
mental health services provide
the necessary tailor-made
employment support,
So I volunteer at a mental
health charity’s press office
and a production company
specializing in mental health.
I arrive late and often get
waylaid by OCD, but it’s a step.
Time-table therapy helps.
That means creating a
schedule for each day the
night before, and planning
long-term goals too. It aims
to set time limits to activities,
so I don’t spend weeks on
them. It also aims to minimize
time spent washing by limiting
OCD to specific times. It by no
means works perfectly, but it
helps me manage OCD better.
One long-term goal was to
make a short film in Egypt. I
only got as far as putting the
goal in my diary and didn’t
manage to do the necessary
planning, but I decided to fly
out there with someone and
do it anyway.
As I write this, I have just
returned. There were many
obstacles – such as filming too
much footage (everything had
to be perfect), and returning
to locations several times
as I kept feeling I’d missed
something.
It wasn’t perfect - but the
thing is I did it. And that feels
amazing. It’s a big step forward.
So my message is to start
saying yes to life and no to
OCD. You only live once. Don’t
let OCD steal all your dreams.
And as you say yes to life,
you will find that, by focusing
on other things beside your
illness, things will start to
get better.
From the
For those of you who have not
yet discovered it, OCD Action has been running a blog since February.
T
he OCD Action “Living
with OCD” is continuing to
prove popular, over the last few
months we have introduced
two new bloggers ready to
share their day to day lives
with OCD. The blog is available
on our new website,
BLOG 2 – (you’d have thought a stand up
comedian would think up a catchier blog title)
Seven years ago when I was suffering heavily
from OCD even a short trip away would be
fraught with trauma for me. Here is a short list
of some events which made holidays stressful
during my life as an OCD sufferer;
1) A big argument with my parents who tried to
take a straw off of me which I needed to tap as
part of an OCD ritual.
2) Spending an eternity tapping objects in hotel
rooms on the last day which I knew I could not
return to in order to complete my rituals.
3) Having to return to the top of water slides in
order to tap a certain segment of the slide correctly
4) Obsessive thoughts all my waking day and in
my dreams, ten times stronger than when I was
at home
Seven days ago I went on a trip to the
Edinburgh fringe festival for 3 nights to do some
stand up and to take in the shows with two
friends, Pete (also a comic) and Chris (a blues
musician). Here is a short list of the things which
made this trip stressful;
1) We couldn’t find the campsite
2) The clutch in the car we drove up in made a
screeching noise every time it was in use, (two
days after we made it back home the clutch
gave up the ghost)
3) Pete went missing for over an hour at one
point and he still won’t tell us where he was.
4) Freezing cold nights
www.ocdaction.org.uk. If you
think that you’d like to be our
next guest blogger then, please
contact the OCD Action office.
5) Getting lost, all day, every day.
On top of this I had to stand up and amuse six
different audiences over 3 days having had little
to no sleep.
But despite all the apparent stresses of the
trip I had more fun thanI’ve ever had. If you don’t
believe me just ask any of my friends who I’ve
been boring with Edinburgh anecdotes since. A
big part of the reason I’m still involved with OCD
awareness is that I want to show people how
much I enjoy my life having overcome OCD and
that all the fighting and all the struggle to do this
was worth it.
I appreciate evenings now. Evenings were
stressful, that was when my OCD was at its
worst. If I was the slightest bit tired, it was harder
to keep the obsessive thoughts out. But now
I love evenings. At the Edinburgh fringe they
have a midnight show at the caves. It’s literally
in a cave and starts at midnight, running on till
about 3am. We went to this event two nights
running. Comedy is a lot better when you know
that everyone sensible is in bed. Reginald
D. Hunter headlined the second night and I
laughed uncontrollably. And it felt like I’d earned
it. In beating OCD I had reclaimed the evening in
my life. When my OCD was at its worst I would
never have been able to relax at that show.
This year’s Edinburgh award went to the
comic poet Tim Key, but my award goes to ‘The
Evening’, my new, favourite part of the day.
Joe Wells
18
Issue 43, Winter
19
Book Review
Volunteering
Rising to the Surface by Helen Poskitt
T
he main character in Helen
Poskitt’s “Rising to the
Surface” is Undine, a sufferer
of OCD. This fictional novel is
a good read for anyone who
wants to experience OCD in an
honest “day to day” manner.
As the reader lives Undine’s life
they come into contact with her
friends, boyfriends and therapist
and learn how she manages
these relationships alongside
her OCD. They are told about
her family and her background
by way of explanation for how
she got to where she is.
Within Undine’s story she is
writing her own novels. There
are two stories. The first based
on her own life. At least we
are led to believe this by the
interjected comments from
her therapist. The second is
a fictional romance and adds
some light relief to the main
book. The two stories are very
different almost black and white
in contrast, real life and wishful
thinking. It’s difficult at times to
make out the real stories and
the stories within, especially as
some characters overlap.
Finally the reader is treated to
extracts from Undine’s diaries.
By sharing her past with us we
gain insight into the complicated
relationship she has with her
family and in particular her step
mother, offering by some way an
20
explanation/reason for her OCD.
Subtlety is fundamental. The
references from her diary are
left to the reader to evaluate and
draw their own conclusions. The
OCD traits, talked of throughout,
are discreet. Once in a while it
dawns on us why something
has occurred and an OCD
reader achieves some familiarity.
Anyone else might miss the
central theme completely but
where references to the OCD
family are subtle they are more
obviously stated, text book style,
by the therapist.
It’s not until quite a way in that
the reader gets some definition
into the meaning of OCD when
her friend, by chance, reads
about OCD and identifies
Undine in what she is reading.
There are times, certainly at
the start, where we feel there
is a dumping of a thousand
thoughts on a page. It’s like
a torrent of feelings from a
mind that is hurting through
sheer weight. It is something,
in hindsight, that any OCD
sufferer would identify with. But
as Undine empowers herself
and understands her OCD we
recognise the first steps towards
freedom.
The purpose of a book about
OCD for any sufferer would be
to recognise themselves, to
relate to it in terms of thinking
OCD Action relies on the dedication
of volunteers to make sure that
we are there to help people in need
and that our message can get out.
“that’s me”, “I do that” making
them feel like they’re not alone.
“Rising to the Surface” cunningly
achieves this, albeit subtly, and
therefore, being so far from
a text book, the story is also
enjoyable!
The romance story Undine is
writing comes to the customary
happy ending any Jill Cooper
fan would expect. In parallel to
this her life is looking up with the
conclusion of her own happy
ending and final answer to her
OCD.
This book is like a “romcom” as romance develops,
complications with friends and
living arrangements that affect
all twenty something’s evolve,
and a last minute hitch before
the boy and girl finally live
happily ever after. There’s even
a hinted-at mystery that never
gets told.
If there is one criticism with
this book, we would hope the
reader does not deduce that
finding love is the answer to
overcoming OCD.
By Louise
OCD & Me, Ben Gander. Apologies for not including a review in this issue of “action”, this is due to lack of space. We will put our review in the next issues
so in the meantime you can have more time to read this excellent account of living with OCD, available from Amazon.com.
Most of our volunteering
opportunities are open
to people throughout the
country. All we ask for is your
commitment, enthusiasm
and expertise and in return
we will give you the training,
materials and support that
you may need.
We are now recruiting for new
volunteers to help with –
Media
Sharing your personal
story to help inspire
others. By working with
the national and local
media, you can help OCD
Action reach hundreds of
thousands of people.
Fundraising
Do you have any great
fundraising ideas? OCD
Action can work with
you to help raise much
needed income whether
it is sitting in a bath of
baked beans or running
the marathon.
Awareness Champions
Can you help us to get our
materials out there into
hospitals, GP surgeries,
schools; anywhere they
may be needed?
Trustees
An opportunity to play a
fundamental part in shaping
the future of OCD Action.
Trustees are ultimately
responsible for OCD Action
and shape the charity’s
strategy. We are especially
looking for people with
a legal or accounting
background.
If you are interested in any of the above
and would like to find out more please
contact Joel Rose, OCD Action’s Director.
Issue 43, Winter
21
Listings
Where
Eastern England
Support Group Updates
Cambridge
Every other Monday,
17.30 - 19.30, (please
call for exact dates)
Cam-Mind, Barrere House,
100 Chesterton Road,
Cambridge, CB4 1ER
Ali
01223 311 320
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
Harpenden
The second Sunday
of each month
15.00 -17.00
The Harpenden House Hotel,
18 Southdown Road,
Harpenden, AL5 1PE
Paul 01582 763 58
[email protected]
Richard 01582 726 993
r.alexander707@btinternet.
com
OCD Support
Group
Ipswich
Every Thursday,
14.00 - 16.00
The Friends Society of Quakers
39 Fonnereau Road,
Ipswich, IP1 3JH
Paul Maguire
01473 212 536
07922 973 916
OCD Support
Group
Kent - Rainham
OCD Group
19.15 - 21.00
(3rd Wednesday
of the month)
St. Margaret’s Millennium Centre,
Gate Keeper Chase, Rainham,
ME8 9BH
Lea
01634 374 038
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
Milton Keynes
Fourth Monday
of month 19.00 21.00 except Bank
Holidays.
City Counselling Centre
320 Saxon Gate West
Central Milton Keynes
Behind Christ the Cornerstone
Church MK9 2ES
Jane 01908 607 667
OCD Support
Group
Merchants Place,
Church Street, Cromer,
NR27 9GW
Keira 01263 517 104
OCD Support
Group
Time
WHERE
Contact
group Type
Every Thursday
19.00-20.30
The Parlour, Hinde Street
Methodist Church, 19 Thayer
Street, London W1U 2QH
Gary Love
07803 721 598
[email protected]
12 Step Programme
Obsessive
Compulsive
Anonymous group
Fortnightly on
alternate Thursdays
from 18.30 for a
19.00 prompt start,
finishing at 21.30
The Poetry Place, 22 Betterton
Street, London, WC2H 9BX
(upstairs room called the Poetry
Studio - use door to left of cafe)
Stephen
07976 726 803
OCD Support
Group
Central London
- Hoarding
Support GroupEastham
Last Wednesday of
the month, 18.0020.00
Graham Practice,
Wordsworth HC 19, Wordsworth
Ave, London, E12 6SU
Satwant Singh
hoarding.satwant@gmail.
com
Hoarding Support
Group
Central London
- Lesbian and Gay
OCD Group
Second Thursday
of the month
19.00 - 20.00
In the Marylebone area
Jordan 07969 526 404
[email protected]
Lesbian and Gay
support Group
Norfolk Cromer
Every two weeks,
on a Thursday,
18.30 - 10.30pm.
Edgware
Second Tuesday
of every month
19.30 - 21.00
Biru Unit,
Edgware Community Hospital,
Burnt Oak, Broadway,
Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 OAD
Suzanne and Judy
Call OCD Action or email
[email protected]
Support group for
people with OCD
Norfolk Downham Market
18.00 - 20.00 every
2nd and 4th Weds of
the month.
Dan
07913 654 533
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
Hillingdon 1
First Thursday of
every month
19.30 -21.30
The Pembroke Community
Mental Health Resource Centre,
90 Pembroke Road, Ruislip
Manor, Middlesex HA4 8NQ
Beryl 01895 444 804
(between 10.00-19.00 only
please) 07913 464 706
(24 hour answerphone)
[email protected]
OCD Support
group
Norfolk Heacham
18.00 - 20.00 every
Second and fourth
Tues of the month
Chris
07708 956 725
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
Norfolk King's Lynn
Last Friday of every
month 14.00 - 16.00
The Pembroke Community
Mental Health Resource Centre
90 Pembroke Road, Ruislip
Manor Middlesex HA4 8NQ
Beryl 01895 444 804
(between 10.00-19.00 only
please) 07913 464 706
(24 hour answerphone)
[email protected]
OCD Support
group for carers
Chris
07708 956 725
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
Hillingdon 2
18.00 - 20.00 every
first and third Weds
of the month
Norwich Group 1
Central Norwich
Geraldine Scott
01603 619 246 evenings
CBT focussed
OCD Support
Group
Ilford (Group 1)
Monday 18.30-20.45,
Tuesday 18.30-20.45
Redbridge Resource Centre,
497/499, Ley Street, Ilford
Essex, IG2 7QX
Regina Byrne
020 8262 8891
www.anxietycare.org.uk
OCD Support
Group
Every Tues evening
with the exception
of the first Tuesday
in the month 19.15 19.30pm until 21.00
Norwich Group 2
Central Norwich
Geraldine Scott
01603 619246 evenings
OCD Support
Group
Ilford (Group 2)
14.00 - 16.00
1st Floor, Urswick Medical Centre, Regina Byrne 020 8262
Urswick Road, Dagenham,
8891 (Mon-Fri 10.00 - 15.00)
RM9 6EA
www.anxietycare.org.uk
OCD Recovery
Support Group
The first Tuesday
of the month.
07.15-07.30pm until
9.00pm
Southend-on-Sea
Second Thursday of
month, 10.30 - 12.30
14 Avenue Terrace,
Southend-on-Sea,
Essex, SS0 7PL
Jackie St John at Trust
Links Breakthrough
01702 346 001
Jim Grigg
07876 353 547
[email protected]
[email protected]
OCD Carer's
Support Group, but
people with OCD
welcome
Stevenage
Fortnightly Thursday
13.30 - 15.00.
Fortnightly Weds
19.00 - 20.30
Stevenage Wellbeing Centre,
13 Town Square, Stevenage,
Herts., SG1 1BP.
Jenny Robinson
07769 639 186
[email protected].
OCD Carers’ group
LONDON
Central London
Central London
Southgate
First Sunday of every
month 19.00-21.00
The Priory Hospital, The Bourne,
Southgate, London, N14 6RA
Alison 020 8958 5332
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
Southgate - BDD
Group
Third Sunday
of every month
16.00 -18.00
The Priory Hospital,
The Bourne, Southgate,
London, N14 6RA
Martin Anson
(Clinical Psychologist)
020 7848 0387
(If there is a voicemail,
please leave a message)
[email protected]
BDD Support
group
22 Information correct at time of printing, please visit the OCD Action website for up-dated details
Issue 43, Winter
23
Listings
South East England
South West England
Basingstoke
Monthly on the 2nd
Wed of the month,
18.30 to 19.30
The Ark Conference Centre Ltd,
Binwoodie Drive, Basingstoke,
Hampshire, RG24 9NN
Charlotte Underwood
07861 378 883 lottieunder
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
Bournemouth
(Winton)
First Tuesday
of every month
19.00-21.00
Winton Resource Centre,
528 Wimborne Road, Winton,
Bournemouth, Dorset, BH9 2EX
OCD Support
group
Brighton
First Wednesday
of every month
18.30 - 20.15
9 Buckingham Road,
Brighton, BN1 3RJ
Linda 01403 713 123
lin.thornton@btopenworld.
com
OCD Support
Group
Eric Chalmers
01202 496 267
07837179 760 e.chalmers@
dorset-cc.gov.uk
Bristol
The meetings are
held on first Sat each
month 13.00 - 14.30
Umbrella Centre, St Peter's
Place, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2DB
Lea and Eileen
01227 767 660
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
Meeting Rooms, Limbs and
Things, Sussex Street, St Philips,
Bristol, BS2 0RA
Sharon Davies
07729 848 675
[email protected]
OCD Support
group
Canterbury
Saturdays, starting
6 week courses.
Please contact for
more infornation
Guildford- 12
Step Programme
Every Monday
20.00 - 21.00
Guildford Methodist Church,
Side Entrance, Wharf Road, Off
Woodbridge Road, GU1 4RP
Rob 07968 196 377
[email protected]
Sally 07790 397510
12 Step OCD
Support group
Bristol - 12 Step
Programme
Every Tuesday,
19.30 for 20.00
The Community Centre, Oaktree
Court, The Ridge, Shirehampton,
Bristol BS11 0BN
Paul
07903 129 753
12 Step OCD
Support group
Plymouth
Kent - Dartford,
Gravesham and
Swanley - BDD
Group
Every other
Thursday, 12.00
noon - 13.30
MIND, The Almshouses,
18 West Hill, Dartford,
Kent, DA1 2EP
Sue
0132 229 1380
[email protected]
BDD Support
group
Every other
Wednesday, 19.0021.00. Please phone
to check times
Mind Oasis, 8 Woodside,
Greenbank, Plymouth, PL4 8QE
Joe Higman
01752 254 004
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
Kent - Dartford,
Gravesham and
Swanley - OCD
Group
Contact for timings
MIND, The Almshouses,
18 West Hill, Dartford,
Kent, DA1 2EP
Sue
0132 229 1380
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
WimbourneObsessions
Together
Third Wednesday of
every month 19.00
- 21.00
Jessop House, Mill Lane,
Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1HG
Eric Chalmers
01202 496 267
07837179 760 e.chalmers@
dorset-cc.gov.uk
Obsessions
Together OCD
Supportgroup
Kent-Maidstone
Third Thursday of
every month
11.00 - 12.30
Maidstone Mind, The Bridges,
23 College Road, Maidstone,
Kent, ME15 6YH
Merryl and Sally
(Maidstone Mind)
01622 692 383
Andrew Hider
andrewhider@blueyonder.
co.uk
OCD Support
Group
Stephen, Richard or David
07976726803
ox.ocd.support@hotmail.
com
OCD Support
Group
Oxford
North West England
Once a month,
usually on the first
Monday of month,
arrive from 18.30
for a 19.00 start,
finishing at 21.30
Michael Young Building,
RESTORE, Manzil Way
(off Cowley Road),
Oxford, OX4 1YH
Once a month,
usually on the first
Sat of month
11.00 - 13.00
Cosham Community Centre,
Wootton Street, Cosham,
Portsmouth, PO6 3AP
Stephen
07976 726 803
OCD Support
Group
Reading
Every other Monday
at 20.00
Trinity Church, Chalfont Close,
Earley, Reading, RG6 5HZ
Melanie Moore
01189 481 139 melanie_j_
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
South Hampshire
(Eastleigh)
Once a month,
usually on the first
or second Sat of the
month 14.15 - 16.45
The Cranbury Centre, Cranbury
Road, Eastleigh, SO50 5HT
Stephen
07976 726 803
OCD Support
Group
Surbiton
First and third
Thursdays of
every month
20.00-23.00
The South Place Resource
Centre, South Place
(off Ewell Road)
Surbiton, Surrey, KT5 8RX
Les (Please leave enquiries
between 16.00 - 18.00 Mon-Fri
only. Calls returned as soon as
possible. Unable to return calls
to mobiles. Group enquiries only.
Please attend group evening for
specific personal information
regarding OCD).
020 8390 2648
[email protected]
OCD Support
Group
Portsmouth
24 Information correct at time of printing, please visit the OCD Action website for up-dated details
Alkrington,
Manchester
Monthly on Mondays
14.00 - 16.00
The Old Boar’s Head,
111 Long Street, Middleton,
Manchester, M24 3UE
Bernie 01616 436 729
Lindsey 07738 225 320
[email protected]
OCD Support
group
Bolton
Every other Monday
19.30-21.00
MHIST, 30 Chorley,
New Road, Bolton, BL1 4AP
Sandra Clarkson
01204 527 200 (MHIST)
[email protected]
OCD Support
group
Greater
Manchester
Every other
Wednesday
14.30 - 16.30
Rock Street Day Centre, Rock
Street, Oldham, OL8 4BD
Mohammed Islam
01617 708 500
OCD Support
group
Macclesfield,
Cheshire
Last Tuesday of
every month,
18.00-21.00pm
Wykeham Chase,
Off Bransdale Way,
Macclesfield
07876 297 857
[email protected]
OCD Support
group
Merseyside,
Southport
The first Tuesday of
the month
18.00 -19.00
Christ Church, Lord Street,
Southport, Merseyside,
PR8 1AA
Call OCD Action on
0845 390 6232
OCD Support
group
Merseyside,
Wirral
Second Friday of
every month 20.00
Contact Group Organisers
for Details
Duncan 0151 632 2017
[email protected]
Colin 0151 228 6455
[email protected]
OCD Support
group
Runcorn
Please phone
contact for details as
group not running at
the moment
Hugh
01514 230 363
OCD Support
group
Warrington
First Tuesday of
every month 10.00 12.00 (noon)
Allen Street Day Centre, 44 Allen
Street, Warrington, WA2 7JB
Molly McKay
01925 652 204
07734 039 456
OCD Support
group
Tom Carpenter Centre,
Carliol Square, Newcastle
on Tyne, NE1 6UF
Jean 01914 778 310
gatesheadocdgroup@
yahoo.co.uk
OCD Support
group
North Eastern England
Tyne and Wear/
Northumberland
Every Monday,
18.00 – 17.00 except
bank holidays
Issue 43, Winter
25
Listings
Yorkshire and Humberside
Bradford
First Wednesday of
month 17.30 - 19.30
Bradford MIND, Ground
Floor, Trade Force
Building, Cornwall Place, Bradford,
West Yorkshire, BD8 7JT
Donna
07711955322
[email protected]
OCD Support
group
Halifax
First Tuesday of
every month
18.30 - 20.30
Northbridge Leisure Centre,
Halifax, HX3 6TE
Louisa
07761 384 414
OCD Support
group
Sheffield
Monthly on a
Monday at 19.00.
The group meets
every 4 to 5 weeks.
Knowle House,
4 Norfolk Park Road,
Sheffield, S2 3QE
Jonathan Clitheroe
01142 796 777
[email protected]
OCD Support
group
York
First Monday of
every month
19.30 - 21.30
9 Castlegate York, YO1 9RN
Brian or Dan at York Mind
01904 647 349
or 01904 647 014
OCD Support
group
The first Tuesday
of the month from
19.00 to 21.00
Northampton and District MIND,
Anchor House, 6-7 Regents
Square, Northampton, NN1 2NQ
Julia
07743 149 337
[email protected]
OCD Support
group
Third Saturday
of each month
14.30 - 16.30
Carr's Lane Church Centre,
Carr's Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX
John Hinckes, Chairman
WMOCD 07977 591 081
johnhinckes@blueyonder.
co.uk
OCD Support
group
East Midlands
Northants
West Midlands
Birmingham, West
Midlands
Scotland and Wales
Cardiff
First Tuesday of
every month
18.00 - 19.30
Contact group for details
Ian Hughes 02920
335 555 Ian.Hughes@
CardiffandVale.wales.
nhs.uk
OCD Support
group
Edinburgh
Third Wednesday of
every month,
18.30 - 20.30
Health in Mind, 40 Shandwick
Place, Edinburgh, Lothian,
EH2 4RT
0131 225 8508
contactus@health-in-mind.
org.uk
OCD Support
group
Glasgow
First Wednesday
of every month
18.30-19.30
Charlie Reid Centre, Elmbank
Street, Glasgow, G2 4PB
01410 5690 5852
OCD Support
group
North Wales,
Deeside
Every second and
fourth Wednesday
Aston House, Deeside,
Community Hospital, Plough
Lane, Deeside, CH5 1XS
Keir Harding 01244 834 921
OCD Support
group
St. George’s Parish Church
High St. Belfast
(beside the ‘Inn Shops’ and
the ‘Albert Clock’)
Christina McManus
07789 104 668
07522 545 258
ocd.therapy.belfast@
googlemail.com
Northern Ireland
Belfast
Fourth Tuesday of
every month,
19.30 - 21.30 pm
OCD Support
group
Fundraising
Challenges
for 2010
a great
e
b
n
a
c
Actionre plenty of
D
OC
r
a
fo
e eventr work. There
g
en
a
l
l
t
s few
u
a
u
o
j
r
o
re
f
g a chm
a
y
here
Enterin
ise ohne
a
t 2010,
r
u
o
o
t
y
g
a
u
w
thro
events
UK running Events
Nottingham 26K March 2010
Brighton Marathon April 2010
London Marathon April 2010
Bupa Great North (10K) May 2010
Trecking Events
Peru April 2010
China May 2010
Iceland August 2010
Sahara Autumn 2010
Cycling Events
London – Paris April 2010
Paris – Geneve June 2010
Vietnam October 2010
UK based Events
Skydive Throughout 2010
Parachute Jump Throughout 2010
Log onto
www.ocdaction.org.uk
for more details
26 Information correct at time of printing, please visit the OCD Action website for up-dated details
Issue 43, Winter
27
COMING SOON
Food For
Thoughts
Delia Smith,
Ainsley Harriot,
Gino D’Acampo,
and James
Martin all
want to help
you host a
special evening
of fun, friends
and great food.
Food for
Thoughts
is a simple way to raise
funds. We are looking for
volunteers to host a dinner
party, invite some friends, have a
great time and ask guest to make a
contribution towards our work. To help
make sure your evening is a great
success, we will even send you a
party pack with game ideas, a quiz
competition and of course some
great recipes courtesy of
our celebrity chefs.
Interested....
Please contact the OCD Action
office to register for your party pack.
Pack will be available from January 2010
28