Brian Reeve, a 69-year-old lawyer and private equity investor from Toronto, reached a critical point in his life seven years ago due to the overwhelming impact of his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) rituals. These rituals, ranging from repetitive door movements to meticulous contact lens adjustments, had taken over his life. Despite years of searching for effective care, Reeve found relief in the OCD program at the Frederick W. Thompson Anxiety Disorders Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital in 2019.
Having achieved remission through the program, Reeve described it as a transformative experience that prompted him to donate $10 million to the facility. Established in 2012, the Thompson Centre is the first and only institution in Canada dedicated to OCD research, education, and treatment, estimating that around 400,000 Canadians grapple with OCD.
Peggy Richter, the head of the Thompson Centre and a psychiatry professor at the University of Toronto, emphasized that OCD is a complex disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors aimed at alleviating anxiety. Richter explained that while OCD symptoms commonly involve excessive cleaning or checking, the disorder can manifest in various forms, including repetitive counting or distressing thoughts.
Reeve, diagnosed with OCD in the 1990s, faced limited treatment options initially but managed his condition adequately throughout his life. However, by 2019, the number and intensity of his rituals had escalated significantly, affecting his daily life and relationships. After a referral to the Thompson Centre’s intensive OCD program, Reeve spent four months undergoing treatment, leading to his eventual remission three years later.
Richter highlighted the Thompson Centre’s comprehensive care approach, offering tailored options such as psychiatric care and cognitive-behavioral therapy based on the severity of each patient’s condition. The center also provides peer support through group sessions and continues to assist alumni post-treatment. Reeve’s generous donation will accelerate the center’s expansion and relocation to Sunnybrook’s Bayview campus, enhancing facilities and collaboration with the hospital’s brain sciences program.
The funding will also establish a joint OCD chair at Sunnybrook and the University of Toronto, along with fellowships to nurture future Canadian clinicians and researchers in OCD treatment and research. Reeve’s ultimate goal is to raise awareness about available OCD treatments and resources, ensuring that individuals with OCD feel supported and understood without shame or embarrassment.