21st Annual OCD Conference

This workshop will present the latest clinical science of PANDAS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infection) and (PANS) Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. Panelists will discuss the recognition and diagnosis of PANDAS/PANS, with particular emphasis on distinguishing acute- onset cases from “garden variety” OCD; the medical and immunological evaluations; treatment of acute illness and prevention of future episodes; and guidance on incorporating antiobessional medications and CBT into the treatment plan for PANDAS/PANS. 

Welcome Remarks
Denise Egan Stack, LMHC

Master of Ceremonies
Jeff Bell

Awards Presentation
Patricia Perkins IOCDF Service Award- Wendy Mueller
IOCDF Outstanding Career Achievement Award- Steven Rasmussen, MD

Keynote Address
Ethan S. Smith

This is the story of Ethan S. Smith - writer, director, actor, producer, and life long OCD sufferer. Join Ethan as he passionately, humorously, and kindly shares his journey from being bedridden in his parents’ guest room, to living across the country making it in Hollywood. Live through Ethan as he shows you incredible personal video from his most vulnerable and darkest hours to his most triumphant return to life. Ethan’s singular goal is to not only tell you his story, but also to impart the knowledge, lessons, and skills he learned along the way so that you, too, may have your own Hollywood ending. 

OCD sufferers often get angry at other people around them when the other person will not engage in rituals, or inadvertently triggers the sufferer’s anxiety. We will investigate steps that will help defuse the situation when your OCD sufferer is angry, including learning how to not explain or defend yourself (but managing your own self-care); remembering that no one else makes anyone feel anything; choosing to validate the person’s internal state; helping them challenge victim thinking; avoiding critical questioning; letting them leave if they choose; and slowing things down to restore a sense of control. 

The obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) classification in the new DSM-5 has been given its own category as OCD Related Disorders, comprised of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Hoarding Disorder, Excoriation Disorder, Trichotillomania, and OCD not specified elsewhere. In addition, two specifiers have been added: insight spectrum and presence or absence of tics. The presenters will discuss the conceptual basis of insight, updates on recent research, our conceptualization of insight in OCD over the years, and the role of insight (or lack thereof) in several OCD Related Disorders. 

The panelists will discuss effective treatment, research findings on comorbidity, proactive recovery maintenance, medication, limitations and strategies for maximizing successful implementation of OCD treatment while maintaining addiction recovery, addiction recovery programs, inpatient and outpatient treatment options, and personal experiences from recovered patients. Additional suggestions will be offered concerning the maintenance of recovery and prevention of relapse from both conditions. Questions/concerns from the attendees will be welcomed. 

Many individuals with OCD exhibit few, if any, obvious compulsions. But for these sufferers, their compulsions are occurring primarily in their own minds. While this is colloquially known as “Pure OCD” (or “Pure O”), the term is an unfortunate misnomer. So-called “Pure O” actually consists of obsessions, seemingly limitless mental compulsions, and plenty of suffering. This panel discussion will explore some of the sub-types of OCD that are often described as “Pure O,” including Homosexual OCD (H-OCD), Harm OCD, Relationship OCD (R-OCD), and Scrupulosity. We will also demonstrate how those with Pure O exhibit numerous compulsive behaviors, and will examine the treatment techniques that have shown the most effectiveness in managing this side of OCD. 

Evidence-based treatment has been developed for OCD and related disorders, but patients are typically
not receiving it in routine clinical care. Even when patients do receive these treatments, they are often not well-delivered. The objective of this workshop is to discuss barriers to the dissemination of evidence-based psychological treatments, and to propose ways of overcoming them. 

At best, perfectionism can be an asset; but at worst, it can be a burden when desires to be perfect can backfire. This workshop will help those who struggle with perfectionism to develop insight, motivation, and skills to be more engaged in life with less focus on perfection. Topics include conceptualizing perfectionism, the role of standards and expectations, rigidity and inflexibility, the impact on functioning and relationships, procrastination, and strategies for managing perfectionism. The workshop will use experiential exercises and skills practice. 

Hypochondriasis is defined as an obsessive preoccupation with fears of having a serious disease that persists despite repeated reassurance from medical professionals that no such disease exists. Hypochondriasis, now called Health Anxiety and considered a separate disorder in the DSM-V, nevertheless has many common features with classic OCD symptoms where the fear of illness is present. This talk will cover the similarities and differences between these two disorders, outline the latest CBT shown to be effective, and offer case examples of how CBT is effectively applied to relieve the distress associated with these conditions. 

Symptoms of OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) can often overlap. This workshop will help professionals differentiate symptoms of each, better understand the impact of ASD diagnoses, and how psychological and pharmacological OCD treatment can be modified to maximize success. While the
entire Autism spectrum will be discussed, implications for high functioning individuals will be emphasized. Presenters will give guidance on assessment tools to help screen for ASDs. Guidelines for assessment, intervention, and theoretical and practical considerations for CBT/ERP for individuals with dual diagnoses will be provided. The workshop will discuss how psychopharmacological treatment may be impacted by dual diagnoses, and how it may be modified from a “traditional” course of OCD treatment. 

Studies suggest that approximately 65% of those with eating disorders also have an anxiety disorder of some kind. When managing both an eating disorder and OCD, treatment and recovery can be extremely difficult to navigate for both the sufferer and therapist alike. This informative discussion will focus on the most effective approaches for managing eating disorders with comorbid OCD and anxiety. This presentation will help sufferers and therapists learn how to manage both disorders simultaneously using ERP, mindfulness, and other CBT tools, and to troubleshoot major impediments to recovery that often occur along the way. The session will conclude with a questions and answer period. 

Experience suggests that the path to recovery can be far from simple for those who hair pull and skin pick. Treatment interventions are few, available interventions don’t help everyone, and specialized treatment is not always accessible. Limited understanding of these problems and associated stigma can persist amongst medical professionals and the public. Patients will relate their personal stories of living with these disorders. They will provide an overview of their symptoms and course, review the functional impact of the disorder on their lives, and discuss their treatment challenges and successes. Clinicians will then present their perspectives on these cases including their clinical presentation and longitudinal course, factors that impacted recovery, valuable lessons learned, and future directions in the field. 

Thought-Action Fusion is when our brains tell us that if we think something, then it must be true, or that thinking it will make it true. This panel discussion offers insight about Thought-Action Fusion and the magical thinking so common in OCD. With education about these distortions and mindfulness tools, anyone can learn how to effectively battle the lies their brains tell them. Attendees will learn how to identify when they are engaging in Thought-Action Fusion and how to challenge magical thinking errors, and will have an opportunity to share their experiences and ask questions.