A decade of progress in OCD care—and what's next

Ten years ago, finding out that you had OCD looked completely different. Just ask OCD Gamechangers founder and Executive Director Chrissie Hodges and NOCD co-founder and CEO Stephen Smith—both had agonizing journeys. Chrissie severely suffered with OCD but waited 12 years for a diagnosis, while Stephen hit rock bottom and became housebound due to OCD as he desperately searched to find answers and a qualified therapist. Their experiences left them with a fierce desire to create change for the OCD community. Stephen’s journey fueled the creation of NOCD to help society understand what OCD truly is and increase access to the specialized therapy that saved his life, while Chrissie became a certified Peer Support Specialist, advocate, and author. Chrissie and Stephen recently reflected on the challenges they faced and how far we’ve come since the days when it was common for people to suffer in silence while experiencing 14-17-year diagnosis delays and two-year waitlists to see a specialist. Today, increased awareness and advocacy have helped people recognize and identify their symptoms earlier, and anyone with OCD can access evidence-based care within seven days on average through highly qualified, specialized therapists who accept insurance, enabling them to get better sooner. Watch Chrissie and Stephen look back on the evolution of OCD treatment and share their vision for what’s next.