The Domino Effect: OCD and the Health Care Gap
Over the course of an exam, a physician asked what I did for a living. I indicated that I treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, which was met with the following reply: “I did not think that disorder is treatable”.
OCD has been treatable since the 1970s. However, this physician’s lack of knowledge about the best-practice in treatment is not uncommon. In fact, it’s systemic. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is often overlooked in Ontario’s health care system. Physicians are not trained to look for symptoms of OCD in their patients, and so the disorder is often under-diagnosed.
The domino effect unfolds as follows: When OCD is left undiagnosed, people suffer for a long time before seeking treatment. In fact, only 56% of people suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder seek help.
Does this explain why most of my clients are self-referred? How do we change this lack of knowledge?
For further information about this phenomenon:
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/sunnybrook-health-sciences-centre/ocd-treatment-access_b_16292236.html

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Ricky S. Starkey
Great post! and incredible blog! Very helpful post! I must say. Simple & interesting. Wonderful work!