WINTER 2008 VOL. 10 NO. 4 Newsletter Visit us on the web at www.njocf.org Monnica Terwilliger Jonathan Abramowitz, Be Sure to Attend: Williams, Ph.D. Presented Ph. D. presented “You Are the Therapist” “Homosexuality Anxiety: “A Couples-Based Part 2 A Misunderstood Approach to the on Monday, Dec. 8th Symptom of OCD” Treatment of OCD” by Rachel Strohl, Psy.D. by Rachel Strohl, Psy. D. On Monday September 8, 2008, Monnica Our next quarterly NJOCF meeting will On Sunday, September 14, 2008 be held on Monday, December 8th, at 7:30 Terwilliger Williams, Ph.D. presented at Jonathan Abramowitz, Ph. D. was the p.m., at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in the quarterly meeting of the NJ Obsessive keynote speaker at the NJOCF ninth New Brunswick. Dr. Allen H. Weg, Vice Compulsive Foundation. Dr. Williams annual conference. Dr. Abramowitz is President of NJ OCF, will be moderating received her masters and doctorate from Associate Professor in the Department this meeting. the University of Virginia, and practices at of Psychology at the University of the University of Pennsylvania School of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is Back in March of 2007, we experimented also Associate Chair of the Department Medicine as an Assistant Professor of with our quarterly meeting by not inviting of Psychology and Director of the a speaker to make a formal presentation, Clinical Psychology in Psychiatry at the Anxiety and Stress Disorders Clinic at Center for the Treatment and Study of but instead ran a program entitled, “YOU Carolina. His research has led to over are the Therapist.” We felt the program Anxiety. 100 publications, including several was very successful, and so we will be books and numer- running it again at our next meeting. Dr. Williams explained that Obsessive ous research arti- Compulsive Disorder (OCD) presents cles. We ask that persons with OCD and/or with many different subsets of obsessions their family members, come ready to share and compulsions. A person with OCD can Dr. Abramowitz specific OCD problems that they have have obsessions about harm, symmetry, provided an dealt with, either in the past or at present. overview of contamination, and sexual obsessions, to Professionals are asked to come with Obsessive examples of some of their cases, past or name a few. Dr. Williams reported that, in Compulsive one study, 25% of the male and female present, who have presented with particu- Disorder (OCD) by defining obsessions larly challenging OCD issues (with identi- participants experienced sexual obses- and compulsions, and differentiating fying details modified to protect the iden- sions. These obsessions consisted of obsessions (which tend to have a tity of the client). Problems will be shared unwanted thoughts about unfaithfulness, bizarre or unrealistic quality) from wor- by audience members, and then thrown incest, images of sexual acts, and homo- ries (which are excessive concerns back TO THE AUDIENCE to discuss the sexuality. The compulsions designed to about real-life issues). He explained possible treatment strategies. neutralize the anxiety “safety behaviors” in OCD include not are checking and only compulsive rituals (e.g., checking, Those who wish to share their experiences repeating) and mental rituals (e.g., seeking excessive anonymously or who have questions that praying, counting), but also passive reassurance. you would like to propose, may provide a avoidance, thought suppression, and brief written review of the symptom brief behavioral or mental acts intended She focused her talk details or question to Dr. Weg at the start to neutralize. of the meeting, or by emailing him in on homosexual advance at [email protected]. The obsessions, and OCD was presented from a learning evening’s event will NOT be videotaped explained people theory perspective, and effective treat- so people will can be more comfortable with this type of ments include cognitive behavioral sharing and participating. In addition, no OCD (termed HOCD) will often have “no therapy (CBT) and SSRI medications. one will be pressured in any way to con- history of being gay, are not homophobic, Cognitive factors of OCD include: “1) tribute so, if you are interested but shy, overestimation of threat, 2) thought- have gay friends, but they cannot get rid please come and observe – you won’t be action fusion, 3) inflated sense of “put on the spot.” It was an interesting and of these upsetting and distressing responsibility, 4) intolerance for uncer- thoughts.” Dr. Williams clarified that there lively discussion last time we tried this, tainty, and 5) attentional bias toward and we are expecting that this will hold is a distinction between obsessions and threat cues.” Behavior therapy includes true this time as well. Hope to see you there! continued on page 5 continued on page 4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE NATIONAL OCD FOUNDATION CONTACTS Dear Friends: OCF, Inc. Phone: (617) 973-5801 PO Box 961029 Hi Everyone! I'm very happy Boston, MA 02196 to report that there is Great News on the horizon as I E-mail: [email protected] write this to you. The House Internet: www.ocfoundation.org of Representatives has joined the Senate, in addition to sev- $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ eral other items along with it, to pass Mental Health Parity. Group Health Plans would now YOU CAN HELP... cover treatment for Mental Illness at parity with With production cost and postage rates climbing and our all other medical conditions. Naturally this still mailing list growing rapidly, we would like to mention that has to be signed by the President, who is any voluntary contribution would aid us to keep this NJ presently in favor of it. We should all be encour- Affiliate Newsletter going. aged since this is definitely a step in the right - Board of Directors direction for all Mental Health Sufferers. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ A great Meeting is planned for December 8th, and I look forward to seeing you all there. Any Comments????? The staff of the Newsletter encourages all comments on our Sincerely, published articles. Also, any letters and articles, which you wish President Ina Spero to submit for our quarterly publications, are welcome. Please submit them to, Ina Spero, NJ OCF, 60 MacAfee Road, Disclaimer The information presented in this Newsletter should not be taken in lieu of proper medical and/or mental health professional serv- ices. The Board of Directors of the New Jersey Affiliate of the ATTENTION! ATTENTION! Obsessive Compulsion Foundation, as well as all other volun- The NJ OCF telephone hours are teers involved in the development and distribution of this 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Newsletter, do not endorse any particular viewpoint or informa- (732) 828-0099 tion presented here, and are not liable for any damages resulting from any misrepresentations made by the readership of this newsletter or treatment by any organization member, newsletter advertiser, or article author. NJ OCF MISSION SPECIAL THANKS! The Affiliate is a community of those who have an interest in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and whose goals are: l To educate the public and professional communities To all our wonderful volunteers about the disorder. who helped make our Ninth Annual l To support individuals afflicted and their significant others. l To support research into the causes and treatments of Conference a great success!!! this disorder. NJ OCF OFFICERS Also, thanks to all who continue to Ina Spero - President send in donations! The NJ OCF Allen Weg, Ed.D. - Vice President Judy Cohen - Secretary exists to help you and your dona- Rachel Strohl, Psy.D. - Recording Secretary tions keep us going! Julian Spero - Treasurer Nicole Torella - Newsletter Editor Steven I. Dyckman, M.D. - Advisory Board member 2 PHOTO MONTAGE FROM OUR NINTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE With Guest Speaker Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz Held on September 14, 2008 at the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset, NJ Barbara Nichols, LCSW, at Dr. Abramowitz presents his Board members Nicole Torella Dr. Allen Weg moderates the DVD sales table. lecture. and Judy Cohen at the the panel. registration table. David White shares his book. Jay Bruno is our audio guy. Dr. Joe Springer and Our man of the Hour! Harriet Raynes Thaler, LCSW Dr. Jonathan Abramowitz The “Living with OCD” Ted and Vicki Wisnefski, and Ina Spero, NJ OCF president, Drs. Rob Zambrano (our videog- panel members. Ina and Julian Spero, pose welcomes and addresses the rapher), Rachel Strohl (Recording with the OCD sign! audience. Secretary), and Cindy Haines. Kathy, Carrie, Salvatore and Great Desserts! Salads and more! Salvatore and his proud his mom Rosemarie, parents! Christian, and Bill. 3 Jonathan Abramowitz Presentation 2009 ENTERTAINMENT continued from page 1 BOOKS ON SALE! ERP: exposure, which evokes obsessional anxiety, and response The NJ OCF is now taking orders for the new 2009 prevention, which eliminates safety behaviors to reduce anxiety. Entertainment Book. This is our major fundraiser for the year Dr. Abramowitz went on to discuss how ERP treatment can be and part of the proceeds go to the NJ OCF. You will save with facilitated with a couples-based approach. It is beneficial when “Two-for-One” and 50% off discounts at hundreds of great the partner without OCD offers support and gets his/ her partner names you know in your area. into treatment. It can be detrimental when relationship distress increases anxiety, or the partner “inadvertently accommodates UP TO 50% SAVINGS on all the things you do! to the anxiety symptoms” by helping with avoidance or deliber- “Entertainment” - The book that pays for itself! ately or unknowingly performing rituals. 2009 Entertainment Books - to purchase one right now, please There are three types of couple based interventions: 1) Partner- contact Ina Spero at (732) 828-0099. assisted interventions: Targets the partner to act as a surrogate therapist or coach in addressing the sufferer’s OCD problems.