Support Groups

A Vital Component in Recovery

OCD support groups are free services open to all persons with OCD and their families. The potential value of a support group in the lives of persons with OCD cannot be overemphasized. It is, for many sufferers, the vital first step on the road to recovery from OCD. As professional advisor to the Fort Lauderdale support group, I can personally vouch for the many persons with OCD who might never have achieved recovery without the experience of being in a support group.

Since its inception in 1989, the Fort Lauderdale group has been meeting twice monthly and regularly attracts between 15 and 30 persons with OCD and their family members, who are most welcomed. Participants learn of the group by word of mouth and many mental health professionals and agencies throughout Florida, the US and South America. Presently, the Fort Lauderdale group is led by Dr. Hyman, with assistance from long time members in recovery who are experienced with running the group. The goal of the group is to provide a compassionate, safe and respectful atmosphere for all persons willing to share their story with the group. Those choosing not to participate are considered as valuable and vital to the group as those choosing to jump in and participate. For many first timers, the choice to simply sit and listen is a valuable experience.

Beside the opportunity to share experiences, the support groups can be an enormously useful source of solid information about OCD. Treatment and referral options are often shared, as well as ways to cope with the many manifestations and complications OCD presents in the lives of patients and their families. Members are encouraged to take risks, confront fears, overcome obstacles to obtaining help and develop healthier, more realistic attitudes toward themselves and the disorder. While the mood of the group is often somber as new members share their pain and struggles with OCD, it is not uncommon to hear resounding applause emanating from the room when members share their most recent hard-earned victory resisting a ritual or mastering a formerly feared situation. The atmosphere of caring, encouragement and hope enlivens the meeting, leaving everyone recharged, renewed and feeling better about themselves. No longer are they alone is their struggles.

Many lasting friendships are established in the group as members are encouraged to form connections and contacts with each other outside the group. These prove to be vital linkages in the recovery process, as members call upon one another for friendship and support in their efforts to managed OCD in their lives.

For support group information in Florida, click here