Definition:

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a type of mental disorder, characterized under anxiety disorders, that involves either recurring thoughts or impulses, or "repetitive covert or overt actions" that when done properly are a person's way of relieving their overwhelming stress or anxiety (Subramaniam, 2013, p. 367). These actions could include closing a door repeatedly, checking all the locks of a house, even if the person already knows they are locked, or remaking their bed until it's done just right. While this disorder ends up being more of a modern day term with people haphazardly calling their organized desks or drawers a symptom of how "OCD they are," OCD is actually a debilitating disorder that severely affects the lives of those who have it. Especially when undiagnosed or gone without treatment, the disorder can "compromise an individual's functioning and well being" as well as the lives and relationships of their family and friends around them (Subramaniam, 2013, p. 367).

Review

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is one of the most commonly misconstrued mental disabilities in existence because of it's misinterpreted use in popular culture. Especially on social media, phrases circulate among people about how they are "so OCD" about certain items, like their bookshelf or their desk being organized, but these people do not seem to understand that there is a difference between liking their belongings organized a certain way, and having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. For cases such as these, it would be beneficial to be able to see through the lens of someone who actually has the disorder in order to understand how difficult it can make life for, not only themselves, but also those around them.

John Green's 2017 novel, Turtles All the Way Down, does just that. In the novel, Aza is a 17 year old girl who has lived her entire life with OCD, or "worries" as she refers to them in casual conversation. The book portrays everything from Aza's worries regarding the mixing her her and her boyfriends germs when they kiss, to her fears that her medications either don't work or repress who she is.

Green's novel also touches base on how severe this disorder can be without proper help. Aza both has medication and a psychiatrist, but uses neither of which effectively. She tells her psychiatrist the easy answers, and is not entirely honest about how little she takes takes her anxiety medication. Because of this, Aza relates her thoughts to a spiral that continues winding beyond her control, viewing her thoughts as something that controls her as opposed to something she has control over. This leads to why she fears the germs and possible diseases, like E-coli, infecting her body, and therefore swallows hand sanitizer and winds up in the hospital for a lengthy period of time.

Improper treatment of mental illness, especially anxiety type disorders such as OCD, often lead to self destructive behaviors. According to a study done by Mythily Subramaniam et al on the Quality of Life of those living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, some medications alone may reduce a patient's symptoms, but may not improve their Quality of Life (Subramaniam, 2013, p. 380). Quality of Life is defined as a patient's ability to lead a better life, including their health and ability to function on a normal basis (Subramaniam, 2013, p. 367). This would mean that while a patient's anxieties that exist because of their OCD may disappear, but their ability to hold healthy relationships or keep a steady job may not improve.

This could be true with Aza because, even as she tries taking her medication in proper doses, she still finds herself having a hard time keeping a strong relationship with her boyfriend, and lacks the ability to see past herself and be a good friend to her best friend, Daisy. According to the study, between Aza not receiving the proper types of therapies and also not taking her medication correctly, she is not doing all that she can in order to improve her Quality of Life. This is why she is still so troubled, and things go downhill, landing her in the hospital. So by being able to see the adverse effect of poor medication and treatment for OCD, and the importance of being honest with their parents or psychiatrist about their disorder, students can be able to make smarter decisions regarding their disorders because they can see that they can get worse.

Not to mention that, aside from the presence of OCD in her life, Aza leads a rather normal life in school and with friends. She plans on saving money, going to college, and talks about her future as though her disorder isn't a handicap to her getting there, but rather a part of her that she needs to handle in order to get there. Students with OCD, or other similar disorders, will be able to sympathize with Aza and grow with her throughout the novel.