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Frequently asked questions about participating in our studies
Q1. Why should I participate in a study?
Q2. What are my potential benefits as a volunteer?
Q3. Can I receive medical treatment for my OCD at the NIH or from your lab?
Q4. When do you expect to learn something from your studies?
Q5. How can I tell if I have OCD?
Q6. Who can participate in your studies?
Q7. I don't think I have OCD. Can I still participate in one of your studies?
Q8. What is my time commitment?
Q9. What exactly will I be doing as a research participant?
Q10. Are there any risks involved with volunteering for one of your studies?
Q11. How and when will I be compensated?
Q12. Is the information you collect from me confidential?
Q13. I'm ready to participate. How do I get started?
Q14. How do I get to the Clinical Center at the NIH?
Q1. Why should I participate in a study?
A. By volunteering, you can help us progress toward our goal of learning more about genes that relate to OCD. We hope that researchers will eventually be able to use this information to progess toward developing more effective treatments for OCD and related disorders. Your participation is a crucial part of our research.
Q2. What are my potential benefits as a volunteer?
A. As a volunteer, you will have an opportunity to learn more about OCD and better understand the symptoms from which you may be suffering. Our professional staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have about OCD. We can also direct you to community support groups and/or treatment centers as appropriate. As a volunteer, you will also be welcome to attend our OCD support group meetings held at the National Institutes of Health, free of charge. Finally, our research may give us knowledge that will eventually help you or other individuals with OCD or related disorders in the future.
Q3. Can I receive medical treatment for my OCD at the NIH or from your lab?
A. Unless you are in a medication treatment study or you require hosptialization due to a research procedure at the NIH, you will have to undergo medical treatment or hospitalization outside the NIH. Unfortunately, our lab is not conducting any medication treatment studies at this time. Therefore, we cannot act as your primary care physicians nor take responsibility for your psychiatric treatment. However, we can communicate with your physician regarding treatment options.
Q4. When do you expect to learn something from your studies?
A. Our studies are ongoing, and your participation is an essential component of our research. Due to the large number of variables that can affect our progress, predicting an exact research timeline is very difficult. However, we offer annual updates to interested participants.
Q5. How can I tell if I have OCD?
A. While an accurate medical diagnosis for OCD can only be made by a physician or licensed mental health professional, several questionnaires have been designed to assist individuals in assessing whether they suffer from symptoms of OCD. Please refer to the online OCD questionnaire for further information. The OC Foundation website also contains answers to commonly asked questions related to OCD.
Q6. Who can participate in your studies?
A. We are currently enrolling individuals ages 18 and older who may have one or more of the following conditions:
-obsessive compulsive disorder
-Tourette's Syndrome
-focal dystonias (type of muscle cramp)
-trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling)
-anorexia nervosa (eating disorder)
-body dysmorphic disorders (exaggerated perception of flaws in one's appearance)
Q7. I don't think I have OCD. Can I still participate in one of your studies?
A. Yes. We also accept healthy volunteers who do not have OCD or any related disorders.
Q8. What is my time commitment?
A. Each study varies, and times vary based on each individual's health history. In general . . . Interviews: 2 hours Questionnaires: 2 hours. Blood sample: 30 minutes. Clinical procedures (if applicable): 2-5 hours, depending on the study.
Q9. What exactly will I be doing as a research participant?
A. The process is very straightforward and simple. You will be asked to do the following:
-Take part in an initial screening and interview process to determine your eligibility to participate
-Answer various questions during a health history interview (done over the phone at your convenience)
-Fill out several questionnaires
Additional procedures may take place depending on the study. Please refer to our Current Studies page for further details.
Q10. Are there any risks involved with volunteering for one of your studies?
A. Specific risks vary from study to study and will be explained to you in detail before your participation. You may withdraw from our studies at any time without losing your benefits.
Q11. How and when will I be compensated?
A. Depending on the study, you will be paid $50-$100 as thanks for your time as a participant in our studies. The appropriate amount is mailed to you within four weeks after you have completed the study.
Q12. Is the information you collect from me confidential?
A. Absolutely. All of the information obtained in our studies will remain confidential, even among family members. No information about you will be shared with employers, insurance companies, or any other government agencies. When research papers are published, no names or other identifying information about individual participants will appear. However, the Federal Privacy Act does allow the release of information from your medical record without your permission if it is required by the Food and Drug Administration, members of Congress, law enforcement officials, or other authorized people.
Q13. I'm ready to participate. How do I get started?
A. We appreciate your interest and look forward to speaking with you. Please e-mail or call Diane Kazuba at kazubad@mail.nih.gov or (301) 594-0579. She and our staff will be glad to answer any questions you may have.
You may also fill out our online information form. We will contact you directly regarding participation in our studies.
Q14. How do I get to the Clinical Center at the NIH?
A. See the Clinical Center visitor information website for detailed directions.
For more Frequently Asked Questions about the National Institutes of Health, please visit the Q & A about the NIH page.
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