Educational Media Reviews Online

This film chronicles the struggles of four young people who have been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It begins in a therapy session of a teenage girl who believes that her mother, father, and brothers are “contaminated.” She is so fearful of the harm that might come to her by being in contact with them that she has not been able to live in her own home for several months. She is undergoing Exposure Therapy and gradually works toward being able to look at, sit by, touch and ultimately live with her family again. She, like others who suffer from this disorder, realizes that her fears are irrational but she is, nevertheless, held captive by them and tormented into creating strange and elaborate behaviors in order to get through the day. Three others are documented in this film, a younger boy who is obsessed with the fear of getting sick or hurt and needs constant reassurance from his parents, another high-school aged girl whose mother has quit her teaching job to care for her, and a college student who has struggled with fears of germs and contamination to the point of spending hours a day washing herself and often not being able to leave her home. Depression is a common problem in people who suffer from this disorder and one of the girls discusses her struggle with suicidal thoughts.

Researchers have been able to observe the activity in some brains that have been affected by OCD and they have discovered some biochemical issues that are to blame. Everyone has thoughts about personal safety and well-being, warnings that alert them to check things or to be cautious. People with OCD cannot turn off these thoughts or experience resolution to a matter in order to be able to move on to something else. Due to the discoveries that have been made, OCD can be treated with medication that helps the brain to function more normally. Unfortunately, it often takes years for a child to receive the appropriate medication and therapy because it can be difficult for parents to discover specifically what is wrong.

This is an excellent, top-quality documentary. Viewers will be informed and inspired as they watch the progress and personal stories in this year long journey.