Recent conversations about the portrayal of OCD on TLC’s 90 Day Fiancé underscore an important truth: how OCD is portrayed in television, film, and other media matters.
OCD is a serious, often debilitating mental health disorder affecting millions of people. It is characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed in an attempt to reduce distress. While OCD can look different from person to person, it is highly treatable. Yet today, nearly 95% of people with OCD are not receiving the most effective treatment. Misunderstanding OCD makes it harder for people to recognize their symptoms, receive an accurate diagnosis, and get the care they need to reclaim their lives.
Each episode of 90 Day Fiancé is watched by more than one million viewers. With that kind of reach comes an extraordinary opportunity to shape public understanding of mental health for the better. Accurate portrayals of OCD have the power to transform lives. They replace myths with understanding, reduce stigma, help people recognize the signs of OCD sooner, inspire individuals to seek effective treatment, and let those living with OCD know they are not alone—and that recovery is possible.
The entertainment industry has a responsibility to get it right, and doing so requires thoughtful decisions at every stage of the creative process. The International OCD Foundation encourages TLC to engage clinical experts and people with lived experience to better inform their editorial decisions. We stand ready to serve as a resource for future portrayals of OCD and related disorders.
If you are creating content that includes OCD or related disorders, we encourage you to connect with us at media@iocdf.org. Together, we can improve public understanding of OCD, reduce stigma, and help more people find the treatment that can change their lives.
Leave a Reply