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‘A freak Like Me’ (Monday BB3 8.30pm)

I am not sure if any of you have noticed, but the BBC has started a series of 6 programmes featuring ‘willing guinea pigs’ modelling their obsessions, compulsions and rituals. The blurb reads: ‘Comedian Russell Kane uncovers and celebrates the breadth of Britain’s weird and wonderful personal habits and obsessions.’

Featured in the programme are obsessive cleaners and skin pickers amongst others. Whether or not the ‘contestants’ enjoy their rituals or even have OCD, the compulsions they carry out are OCD symptoms which cause OCDers extreme distress.

In his Sky interview Kane makes very opinionated references about OCD and seems to have no problem trivialising our condition.

Two of us have written to the BBC making an official complaint and asking for the programme to be withdrawn as it can only cause further stigma and may drive OCDers even further ‘underground.’

I wonder why comedians think it is OK to trivialise a condition which destroys our lives. I wonder why the BBC has used our license fees to put on air such an uninformed and cruel point of view.
Anne

Thu Oct 28 2010 13:02:00 #
Unregistered

I don't know, Anne, but it's disgraceful. No other condition would receive such treatment. I will also write to the BBC.

Love, Tricia.

Thu Oct 28 2010 13:14:47 #
Unregistered

Hi all
I think this is really problematic. Russell Kane clearly has OCD from his interview in 'The Guardian online', but does not see it as an illness or condition and has little understanding of how severe it can get.

I do hope some of you will write to the BBC before too much damage is done. At this time of spending cuts and withdrawal of incapacity benefit from those with mental and physical health conditions, this will not help our cause.

Many OCDers are able to work and get out of their houses, but many cannot, through no fault of their own. OCD is not a quirk to be 'celebrated' but a serious mental health condition which needs urgent treatment.

Best
Anne

Thu Oct 28 2010 14:19:35 #
swan
Member

hi,
im watching it at the moment and yes do think presenter has ocd but i dont have a problem with the programme

Thu Oct 28 2010 14:32:38 #
kittielover
Member

Anne -
I agree with all of what you said, but I think especially this:

I wonder why comedians think it is OK to trivialise a condition which destroys our lives. I wonder why the BBC has used our license fees to put on air such an uninformed and cruel point of view.
That is the $20,000 question...

Thu Oct 28 2010 20:01:22 #
N.O.C.D.
Member

As an ex CSP sufferer, I was unable to watch the lady who enjoyed squeezing spots, as it caused me too much distress. This programme is not only mind numbingly frivolous, but totally offensive, and I have complained to the BBC.

Thu Oct 28 2010 22:14:32 #
Unregistered

"A Freak Like Me"... I mean, seriously?

Thu Oct 28 2010 22:22:57 #
kittielover
Member

Yeah, that is some lousy title; we are many things, but NOT freaks!

Fri Oct 29 2010 1:58:04 #
swan
Member

Hi,
Nowhere in the programme does it refer to ocd, if it did I would also be up in arms about title, number 6 I totally understand that the woman squeezing spots would cause you problems. None of the people in the programme expressed a desire to stop thier behaviours, something all of us with ocd say on a regular basis myself included. Also whereas for all of us with ocd it causes us extreme distress this was not the case with the people on the programme. yes I would say the presenter had OCD but he was trying to set out to show that all people have their own ways which some people can think of as wierd. I think this was the main emphasis of programme what is normal. As people who are diagnosed with OCD we cant make the presenter get diagnosed that is his choice. Their were parts in the prgramme that related to me but I still dont think it was a programme about ocd.

Fri Oct 29 2010 9:20:15 #
Unregistered

Dear Swan

I do see your point and it may well be that a lot of OCDers will find the programme is helpful.

I have read two of Kane's interviews (one in the Guardian and one on Sky) and the programme is at the very least indirectly about OCD. Kane does admit to having it, but says he is not out to have a laugh at our expense. But he also queries whether these are OCD symptoms.

Quote. 'Everybody has a bit of OCD about them, don't they?
It goes so much deeper than OCD, as there are people that count and have compulsions, but it's more just weird quirks. I mean, the dead bee collector - that's not OCD, it's just a very strange habit. We were really careful not to use terms like paranoid, OCD or compulsion - nothing that felt medical. It's all about celebrating oddities and eccentricities. That's what these are.'

One of the future programmes is going to feature a man who has to take all his clothes off when he uses public toilets. Whether or not he feels this is:
a.OCD or b.a problem for him, many, many OCDers do go this far and are deeply embarrassed about it.

The point is that programmes like this can stop people from seeking help because they may feel that they do not need it. I spent years and years denying that I had a problem and in the end reached rock bottom. The other point is that the programme may take away support from those who care for us who may feel we should be laughing about our compulsions or that it is not a big deal.

I have to say from personal experience that, over the last year, one or two OCDers have told me that they think my drain obsessions and compulsions are funny -and it really, really hurt. I would never openly laugh about my fears/compulsions - I want people to see it as a serious condition which I am fighting every day.

I am not medically trained - so I do not know what is OCD and what isn't any, but small compulsions can grow into large ones very fast - and once they do they are hard to control.

I guess we will have to see how the programme pans out as without complaints it will be aired in full.

I hope you will continue to post as it is important to show both sides of the argument. This way we get a real debate.

Best
Anne

Fri Oct 29 2010 12:00:45 #
N.O.C.D.
Member

The problem with this programme is that it is offensive to some sufferers of OCD, and it is irrelevant that the people represented in the programme dont have a problem with their "quirks and obsessions". The bottom line is, that there are some people who find the programme distasteful, and that is a fact. Any programme that is broadcast on television, and is considered offensive by viewers, needs to be adddressed by the programme makers, to see if perhaps it should be modified to include less sensitive subject matter.

Fri Oct 29 2010 12:28:41 #
N.O.C.D.
Member

Hi Anne
I agree with you, and my concern is that this programme could do harm - indeed, what is a quirk one day, could the next day, in some people, turn into a problem that is hard to control and ultimately causes them distress. This programme is treading on very dodgy ground, and could lead some people to lose sight of what is important and what isn't - thus preventing them from seeking help.

Fri Oct 29 2010 12:43:22 #
Unregistered

I still haven’t watched it, will try to later. I’ve just been reading everyone’s messages and a thought came to my mind concerning no-one being upset by their ‘quirks’. Judith Rapoport said if your obsessions and compulsions are not bothering you, then you don’t have OCD.

I know of someone who almost died because of his extremely severe skin picking, he is permanently anaemic. He has even undergone brain surgery. Far removed from the spot-picker who gets pleasure from her habit, I would imagine.

Fri Oct 29 2010 12:46:14 #
Truddles
Member

I agree with swan, nowhere does it refer to OCD.

But we find that once again OCD jumps in, doesn't read, listen or watch properly and so creates a situation that doesn't actually exist.

It doesn't claim to be a programme on OCD instead the description of the programme is
‘Comedian Russell Kane uncovers and celebrates the breadth of Britain’s weird and wonderful personal habits and obsessions.’

Regardless of whether we have OCD or not we all have personal habits and obsessions. And what one person finds 'normal' or acceptable someone else wont and that's all the programme's trying to show all be it in a humerous way.

Fri Oct 29 2010 14:21:57 #
Unregistered

Pleased to read your point of view Truddles. Glad you are enjoying this debate.

Another OCDer pointed out this programme to me, was deeply offended by it and asked me to start this debate. I personally found the programme and all the various interviews upsetting to watch and read - as have some other OCDers who have written emails to me. But we all have different opinions, which is as it should be.

I don't personally see it as a case of jumping in and misreading things, but more about the way each person (whether he or she has OCD or not)sees and interprets things.

Some will find the programme amusing others will not.

Best
Anne

Fri Oct 29 2010 15:05:59 #
Truddles
Member

Maybe the interviews are upsetting to read and or watch but that doesn't make him wrong and as you say we all have different opinions and he's as entitled to his as the next.

BTW I am not enjoying this 'debate'. Would write more but out of time.

Fri Oct 29 2010 15:18:34 #
N.O.C.D.
Member

Hmmmm Truddles.... I have read your posting above where you say - "OCD jumps in, doesn't read, listen or watch properly and so creates a situation that doesn't actually exist" OMG ! Could it be a case of "OCD creating more OCD, by imagining that something is OCD, when in fact it may not be OCD, but then it might turn out to be OCD after all!!! Aaaargh... this is enough to drive anyone nuts - but the good news is, that they might then at least be offered a chance to achieve notoriety by participating in a programme for people with crazy, quirky habits!! I rest my case !

Fri Oct 29 2010 22:57:38 #
swan
Member

hmmmmmmm number 6 i agree with trudy as it is about people having differences which others may find weird and ACCEPTANHCE im not going to go over my argument as i too rest my case i am also not going to make things personal as it feels you have done with trudy by belittling her viewpoint, i am not assumeing this is what you have done but it is the way it could come across.

Fri Oct 29 2010 23:22:02 #
N.O.C.D.
Member

I was not belittling anyone. I was merely pointing out the paradoxical nature of a statement, that implies that those who disagree with the programme, are merely misguided due to their OCD ! And indeed if this is the case, we are doomed to an eternal treadmill of OCD simply because we cannot recognise what is OCD and what isn't. And as you point out so succintly, it is the differences in people that are being highlighted in this programme. Differences that may make no difference at all...but then again they might

Sat Oct 30 2010 7:05:58 #
Tess
Member

My view is that the best way to deal with this programme is the OFF Button, it has caused too much upset whether people take it personally or not. The entire concept is in very poor taste, especially for the BBC. Kane tells us he wants to 'celebrate' the weird and wonderful - I read that as Kane has struck on an idea which will further his career, expand his wallet and attract viewers by revealing some of the less palable and more unusual behaviour of the human species.
Can you imagine the public outcry if he had chosen a different subject, for instance making a comedy programme based on physical disabilities, perhaps a soldier who had been injured in battle and was running on metal springs, he would be lynched by the mob. We are the soft option, so sensitive we just withdraw into ourselves and so we are easy targets. Those who have the courage to speak out and complain, good for you, maybe the Beeb will listen and actually do a proper documentary which reveals the true misery of OCD, those who can accept the programme as just another comedy series, good for you too, you are obviously strong enough to take a more objective view. But as for me I will stick with the off button.
Incidentally when I was a child the fairgrounds used to feature people with horrible physical deformities and people used to pay money to go and peer at them like animals in a zoo. We have gone a long way since then but we have yet to get there with mental disabilities - but it will come.

Sat Oct 30 2010 9:47:51 #
Unregistered

I have only watched part of the programme, but didn’t notice OCD referred to. My daughter was watching it with me, and, as it was her time on the computer and she was disgusted by the programme and said it’s utter rubbish, I told her to turn it off. Obviously, if these people were enjoying their ‘obsessions‘, they don’t have any disorder, but then they don't claim to have.

An ignorant psychotherapist on another forum once described his 'obsession' to me, which was a love of Formula 1. Heaven help his patients if he believes this is how they 'suffer'. The people in the programme seemed to be in that category, albeit slightly weirder. They are not suffering (and don't claim to be). My concern is still that the public will link such ‘pleasurable’ behaviour with our painful obsessions and compulsions. I’ve said this before, but our condition requires a different name. We will be misunderstood and confused with people with great interest in certain activities until this happens.

My daughter’s disgust wasn’t concerning any offence to OCD sufferers, though, she couldn’t see a problem there, she was merely disgusted by the young woman’s spot picking, or rather the close up photography of it.

In actual fact, her comment was that those with OCD keep stressing they are normal and the programme was saying that weird rituals are common and not abnormal at all.

I may struggle to watch the rest, but it really is not my idea of entertainment or informative viewing!

Sat Oct 30 2010 12:55:29 #
Unregistered

P.S. Thinking of the programme's title, I walked into the living room just now and was greeted by my parrot, 'Freak', he shouted. Thanks to my family, it looks as if that is my new name. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Sat Oct 30 2010 13:03:23 #
swan
Member

TRicia you are not a freak.
Teresa

Sat Oct 30 2010 15:17:18 #
kittielover
Member

Judith Rapoport said if your obsessions and compulsions are not bothering you, then you don’t have OCD.

I beg to differ. I say this because I know someone who in passing {like it was nothing} told me that when his OCD acts up, even though others see it, he just does not care. He told me his "quirks," & they just do not bother him, yet he is aware & will say he has OCD. He takes 50mg of Zoloft \ Sertraline daily & is OK with that.

The timing of this was unbelievable, as it came about very shortly after I was diagnosed, & I was beyond feeling highly disgusted & embarrassed.

What do you all think about this quote??

Sat Oct 30 2010 16:48:00 #
Unregistered

Hi Kittie

My view on the professionals is that they are not and can't be infallible. They have some very helpful and valid points, but I have never read a book on OCD which I agree with in full. But the same can be said of the many academic books I read at Uni.

As shown by the survey, we OCDers are all so very different...so many different subtypes, so many different combinations of subtypes....so many different takes on their illness... it is so complex and baffling.

I was never bothered by my OCD magic rituals when I was a teenager, nor was I concerned over my religiosity because I thought it was normal behaiour.
I am still not bothered about my perfectionism even when I spend 3 hours over one sentence and it is definitely part of my OCD.

So with me the jury is out.

Anne

Sat Oct 30 2010 17:35:41 #
kittielover
Member

Thank you -

For me, I was troubled with what my OCD was DOING to me & costing me, but remember, I did not know I had it. Everybody just thought I was weird, strange, etc, or more politely put, "she just marches to the beat of a different drum" {so eventually, so did I}, however, being just being weird does not make you anxious, lose friends, jobs, & get you "the look." Oh, that dreaded look...

Speaking of perfectionism & spending inordinate amounts of time on things AKA Brainlock, thank goodness the medication takes care of that for me, because the Brainlock was really disabling me.

Sat Oct 30 2010 17:50:10 #
Unregistered

I agree that no professional knows everything about OCD, but Judith Rapoport seems to have spent a great deal of time studying thousands of people with this awful disorder. I was unsure about her statement myself, that if you are not bothered by your obsessions and compulsions you don’t have OCD. However, it is certainly very different from the disorder those of us have who are really suffering. I can honestly say that OCD has robbed me of a childhood, a stable marriage and the pleasure of my children and grandchildren. I feel if people are labelled as having OCD who are completely at ease with their obsessions, then this is really causing the distress that Anne is speaking about over the programme which is the subject of this thread. How can we convey the pain and torment, if some with OCD are saying it’s an OK condition to have?

Kittielover, what really puzzles me is why anyone who claims not to be bothered at all by their OCD would want to take any medication for it.

Bless you, Teresa. I've had a word with the parrot, not sure the family will agree, though!

Tricia x

Sun Oct 31 2010 14:20:30 #
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P.S. I also think we are becoming confused at times between OCD and an obsessional personality. My father was happy with his perfectionism and wouldn't want to change, but he didn't have OCD, he had an obsessional personality. Of course, we can have both.

By the way, I was paraphrasing Judith R. It was not a quote.

Sun Oct 31 2010 14:24:25 #
Unregistered

Yes, that's the difference between OCD and OCPD, isn't it? People with OCPD don't find it distressing, they can be quite proud of it. (I hope that's right, correct me if I'm wrong!)

Sun Oct 31 2010 14:38:30 #
Unregistered

That, too, can be confusing, Helz, but in the main it’s the case. Few with an obsessional personality would seek help, they are usually content with their lives and believe it’s others who are causing any problems they may encounter. There is also a difference between an obsessional personality and an obsessional personality disorder!

Tricia x

Sun Oct 31 2010 14:42:49 #