The next Dublin Support Group meeting will take place on July 7th. The next Family and Friends Support Group meeting will take place on July 15th. More information can be found in the Support Groups section of the website.

      New Support Group Meetings for Family and Friends....

OCD, like any mental health condition, can be equally difficult for family members and close friends to deal with. As a consequence of diagnosis, family members also experience feelings of fear, loss and stigma. Contacts with extended family and friends can diminish and there can also be an overwhelming feeling of being alone.

OCD Ireland has started a Support Group for Family and Friends to offer support/ information in confidential and non judgemental surroundings for a family member, spouse, parent, sibling, or friend of a person with OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) or Trichotillomania (TTM/Trich).

This group is a private place to discuss ideas and experiences, to ask questions and to share resources and information with one another. A flyer for this new group can be downloaded here.

  The next meeting for the Support Group for Family and Friends will be
  held on June 17th 2008 at 7.30pm (Every three weeks) in Room B (Ask
  at main reception), St Patrick's Hospital, James Street, Dublin 2
  There is a new 2008 calendar available for this new group from
  these links:Calendar (Word format) / Calendar (PDF format)

      Information For Family & Friends

OCD Ireland has found the following information useful. This page will be divided into three sections: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Trichotillomania and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Each of these disorders can be quite stressful for both the sufferer as well for their family members and friends. The following links have been provided to provide assistance to family and friends.

      OCD

What can relatives and friends do to help?
Family & Friends Info (1)
Family & Friends Info (2)
A Partner and Family Guide to Dealing with OCD
Family & Friends Info (3)
OCD Factsheet

      Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania Learning Centre
Support for parents, friends or relatives of trichotillomania sufferers

      Body Dysmorphic Disorder

How disabling is BDD?

Depending upon the individual, it can fall anywhere between slightly and severely. Many sufferers are single or divorced, suggesting that for people with BDD that they find it difficult to form relationships. Also, it can make normal employment or family life at least difficult or in more severe cases impossible. Those who are in regular employment or who have family responsibilities would almost certainly find life more productive and satisfying if they did not have the symptoms. The partners of sufferers of BDD may also become involved and suffer greatly.

BDD has been called a 'hidden disorder' because the shame and secrecy surrounding the lives of sufferers. This means that many who have the disorder are never diagnosed or receive the treatment they deserve. Finally, it is estimated that an equal number of men and women suffer from BDD, and the former are more likely to retreat from help because of the mistaken belief that this is a problem that affects women only.

If you suspect that either you or someone you know is suffering from BDD it is imperative to seek professional help as soon as possible. Please contact ocdireland.com to be put in contact with a qualified cognitive behavioral therapist, or simply for more information.

Alternatively, all sufferers of BDD and their friends/ family are welcome to join the twice-monthly support group organized by OCD Ireland in St Patrick's Hospital. The meetings bring together people affected by BDD, OCD and Trichotillomania in an informal setting, to discuss ongoing issues and current treatment options. Please see the calendar on this website for the dates of upcoming meetings.

Please refer to our "Chat Rooms/Discussion Boards" page for links to web pages specifically created for family and friends for an opportunity to speak and share with others.