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OCD Bully

Joel, March 18, 2010

OCD Bully Sculpture at the Bethlem Royal Hospital

A sculpture embodying the frightening manifestations of OCD has been unveiled by Professor Jack Rachman at the Bethlem Royal Hospital.

“The OCD Bully”, created by London artist Steve Caplin, will be permanently housed in the hospital’s Anxiety Disorders Residential Unit (ADRU). The brainchild of SLaM Consultant Psychiatrist Dr David Veale, the installation is interactive and will evolve over time as residents surrender the items that perpetuate their OCD compulsions.

Dr David Veale said, “People with OCD often consider their OCD to be like a bully or a demon that has to be obeyed. During treatment, patients are encouraged to “externalise” their bully and act against it by doing the opposite of what it demands. We decided to enhance the environment at our unit by making a humanoid version of this ‘OCD Bully’.

“The bully also has an important therapeutic role. It holds a large perspex tube for residents to give up manifestations their OCD. Donations so far include a bottle of bleach and wet-wipes for someone who feared contamination; a pair of handcuffs from someone who feared being violent to others;and a mobile phone used for seeking reassurance). The donations will provide encouragement for new residents who see the items left behind by previous residents and have made the commitment to change.”