Out of Order: The Problematic Portrayal of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Film
“It is important that the initial representation [of OCD] be accurate, not only to ensure people develop an opinion on the disorder from legitimate information, but to also prompt helpful, legitimate research from a place of curiosity rather than fear.”
Photo courtesy of Janine on Flickr.
Examining three films as case studies, this essay explores the frequent archetypes characters who suffer from OCD fall into.
Originally written for my Media History class in December of 2024, this paper briefly goes through the history of the disorder in media. Three films from three different decades are reviewed to determine what needs to change for improved future representation.