OCD: The War Inside
This feature documentary explores the daily struggles faced by individuals living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The general population still grossly misunderstands this anxiety disorder. Intrusive thoughts, nagging irrational fears, and ritualistic behavior such as constantly washing hands, checking locks, counting cracks on the sidewalk, hoarding, or opening and closing doors characterize this mental illness. From the outside, its sufferers have no physical disabilities and they are fully aware that their thoughts and behaviors are ridiculous. But due to the chemical imbalance in their brains, they are unable to control their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Even though they have every appearance of being as functional as the next person, people with this mental illness suffer greatly. One young woman describes it as having a bully in her brain taunting her 24 hours a day.
Many people who suffer from OCD begin to identify their own strange behavior during their childhood. It’s as if they are standing on the outside looking in and wondering why they are behaving that way. OCD in children can be particularly dangerous because their obsessive thoughts can lead them to engage in hazardous or risky behaviors.
Medications work well for most people, but the side effects of drugs can be quite dangerous. Still most sufferers would rather deal with the side effects as long as they can get a few hours of peace from the intrusive thoughts. Cognitive –Behavioral Therapy is also recommended along with the medication. In most cases, patients find a certain relief. But not being able to control their thoughts can be very painful and debilitating to the point that it’s difficult to cope and many see suicide as a way of escape.
The stories shared in the film will touch your heart and cause you to become more sensitive to the millions of people who have to fight this internal war 24 hours each day. Their survival depends on it.
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