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
Read About Our OCD Treatment Options.
Our clinicians are OCD and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) specialists. We understand OCD as it manifests in the pediatric and adult populations, families, schools, and the workplace. We utilize ERP to break the cycle of OCD individually and systemically to help you achieve your goals. Read more about our services.
Ricky S. Starkey
Great post! and incredible blog! Very helpful post! I must say. Simple & interesting. Wonderful work!