I've watched Obsessive
Compulsive Cleaners on many occasions, not for entertainment, as it seems
to be the purpose, but to analyse the message it gives. And with a second series now being aired it
still does not reduce my frustration.
For those who aren't aware Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners is a documentary that takes those
with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) who have compulsions to keep their
homes germ free or minimalistic to help declutter those who hoard (who also
suffer from OCD). It is clashing two
extremes of OCD. The only aim I could
get from the program is to allow those with OCD in minimalising and cleaning to
tone down their obsessions by meeting those who are the complete opposite, and
to induce some of their obsessions onto them.
If that really is the aim then it infuriates me.
On the last series I remember reading captions at the end of
each episode, the ones that panged my heart were captions saying ‘It has made
their OCD worse’. How is this acceptable
to happen? Those who suffer from OCD
experience anxiety when their obsessions are not satisfied by compulsive
behaviours, for example somebody who is phobic of germs who cannot access a
hand washing basin or anti-bacterial hand gel will experience anxiety and a
fear of being contaminated. Although
exposure therapy is a proven technique to work for some people with different
anxiety disorders this level of exposure is incredibly over the top and
extreme.
I was intrigued to know what the public felt towards this
program. I went onto Twitter and was appalled
to read the tweets. OCD is often seen by
the public as somebody who likes to keep themselves and their home clean, not
understanding the anxiety that comes with it.
I've read tweets from people saying how they or somebody they know ‘MUST
have OCD’. Not only is it a pet-hate of
mine to hear people self-diagnosing themselves with a mental illness but it
shows that the level of understanding of OCD is still very poor. Tweets that demonstrate how far we have to go
in anti-stigma campaigning are ones that call the participants on the program ‘mad’
and ‘weirdo’s’. I find that language
unacceptable. Not to mention the volume
of tweets finding the program ‘amusing’, ‘hilarious’ and ‘funny’. Only a few tweets showed understanding and
compassion to those with OCD.
Channel 4 has made a massive mistake airing a second series
of Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners. It promotes a negative image of OCD and does
not explain or show what OCD really is.
Channel 4 has taken a group of people, suffering from a serious illness,
and put them through unnecessary anxiety for the purpose of entertainment. This is not acceptable and I am shocked that
Channel 4 think that this is acceptable.
Even if the participants agreed to be involved in this program this is
still sending an inaccurate message of what OCD is, creating more stigma and
discrimination to those who suffer from it.
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