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The development of effective medications (serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants) and the widespread use of behavioural therapy (exposure and response prevention) have greatly improved the treatment options for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Despite these advances, less than 20% of patients with OCD are receiving treatment. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of patient access to treatment. OCD support groups serve as a vehicle to decrease the social isolation experienced by individuals with OCD. They also serve as the doorway to treatment and the starting point on the path of recovery through educating patients about treatment and motivating them to re-enter treatment. There are currently four different types of OCD support groups. This paper gives an appraisal of each group, with emphasis on their aims, attractions and pitfalls. In addition, it provides insight into the resources available to help mental health professionals to better understand the needs of individuals with OCD.

Although obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is among the most common of all psychiatric disorders, the diagnosis is frequently overlooked unless specific screening questions are asked by the treating physician. The obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviours that primarily characterize OCD can be found in other obsessive-compulsive "spectrum" disorders as well. These disorders affect a sizable percentage of the U.S. population and have thus become an increasing public health problem. Preliminary results from our comprehensive survey of OCD sufferers found significant impairments in quality of life and substantial costs associated with the morbidity and treatment of OCD. This is of particular interest to the primary care practitioner since these patients often present initially to primary care physicians, and early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can substantially improve outcome.