Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The Brief: This project was my final major project at university so I chose to set my own brief, deciding what I would create and what the content would be. I wanted to focus on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with the aim of creating a printed book about the topic. I chose to focus on OCD as this is often seen as part of a line in a joke within TV programmes and film. Along with being trivialised on social media and within society itself. This trivialisation has led to confusion about what exactly the disorder is along with late diagnosis and misdiagnosis. My research played a large role in this project as I did not know a lot about the disorder before I began, however I now realise that this is a very serious disorder that many people suffer with and I wanted to help in any way that I could. There are seven chapters within the book focusing on what OCD is, personal stories and treatments for OCD. There are six personal stories in total from a variety of people in different situations describing how their OCD has affected them. I wanted to provide different view points as this disorder can affect anyone of any age, sex or background. One of the reasons I chose to add personal stories was because whilst reading them the audience can develop a bond with the author, can begin to sympathise and understand what they are going through. With this book I hope that not only do those with OCD feel less alone in their fight, but also those without the disorder or any mental health conditions can begin to understand what OCD really is and not what social media and TV has defined it as. I have provided the different treatments for OCD and where they can be found, as well as explaining the most popular therapy for the disorder; cognitive behavioural therapy, offering the definition and both the positives and negatives of this therapy. I also added a section on how to help yourself and where to find help, whether this is more reading on the subject or where to find support groups nearby.