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I’m not one to stay up and watch TV. For one, I have to practice good sleep hygiene so I can preach that message to you guys. But A&E’s documentary series, “Obsessed” piqued my interest because it exposes viewers to the lives of every day folks battling OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, hoarding, and a healthy variety of phobias. The unscripted series educates the public on how one measly obsession can totally mess up a life if the biochemistry isn’t controlled (of course, I already know that). So I wanted to interview the show’s therapist, John Tsilimparis, about the series and about the experience of being watched by millions as he conducted therapy.
Question: What is the primary message that you would like viewers to get from the therapy sessions on Obsessed?
John: My belief is that the TV Documentary, “Obsessed” will help infuse and subsequently establish the long-awaited credibility that OCD and other anxiety disorders are legitimate illnesses. The show will heighten public awareness and deepen social understanding about the condition of OCD in particular, and will help put it on the map of illnesses to be reckoned with. It will also encourage the many thousands of anxiety disorder suffers out there to come out from hiding and seek help.
Question: What do you think are the three most prevalent misconceptions about OCD among the public?
John: One of the enduring misconceptions about OCD and anxiety disorders in general is that people with OCD are weak-willed and that their symptoms are a result of some kind of moral failing. Anxiety disorders are unfortunately still stigmatized by the many people out there who can’t understand the illness due to lack of information and often times, lack of personal experience. Another misconception is that people with severe OCD cannot live productive lives. OCD is in fact, a very treatable illness, regardless of the severity of symptoms. Many sufferers out there, through therapy and medication, live happy and productive lives despite their illness. However, it is important to remember that the treatment modality used by many clinicians, CBT, does not seek perfection. CBT combined with Exposure therapy helps sufferers build a solid program of anxiety management aimed at reducing the severity and frequency of symptoms and improving quality of life. Trying to erase all traces of anxiety is impossible. One always needs a bit of anxiety and worry to survive in the world.
Question: What was the most challenging part of conducting therapy in front of America? Did you change any aspects of how you normally administer your sessions?
John: I believe so passionately in the value and effectiveness of the work that I do, that I did not find it necessary to change anything about the way I treat patients. It was quite gratifying to know that I was part of a groundbreaking TV series that would inspire hope for sufferers in hiding, and would also educate America and beyond, that anxiety disorders are very common and most importantly, very treatable.
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Therese J. Borchard writes the daily blog, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet and is a regular contributor to the award-winning blog, World of Psychology, on Psych Central. Therese is the author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes and The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit. Subscribe to Beyond Blue, visit her website, or follow her on Twitter @thereseborchard.
Meet others on the journey in
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Therese J. Borchard writes the daily blog, Beyond Blue, on Beliefnet and is a regular contributor to the award-winning blog, World of Psychology, on Psych Central. Therese is the author of Beyond Blue: Surviving Depression & Anxiety and Making the Most of Bad Genes and The Pocket Therapist: An Emotional Survival Kit. Subscribe to Beyond Blue, visit her website, or follow her on Twitter @thereseborchard.
posted July 2, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Hi I just wanted to say that I have watched that TV show a few times and it is real and does bring awareness to anyone watching it. I give those individuals so much credit for seeking the help and to do it on TV in front of the world. Maybe with more shows like that will stop the stigmatism and widen the knowledge others have on mental illness.
Thank You and God Bless
Leeann
posted July 2, 2009 at 6:22 pm
With the movie, “The Soloist,” and this new TV program, there is finally a start in educating the general public about anxiety and other mental disorders. Becoming aware of the fact that a sizeable number of the population suffers from one or more “mental illnesses,” will, hopefully, encourage people who suffer greatly, to get the medical attention they need to lead productive lives. And, hopefully, the myths and stigmas that go along with those who suffer from “mental illness,” will ease. I applaud the movie industry and TV for bringing these issues “out of the closet.”
posted July 2, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Hi Everyone,
First it says to add a URL to this comment, but since I do not know what that is, I guess that I will have to pass!
Second, I did not get to view the program, “Obsessed”, that is being discussed in this beliefnet write up. But, I am very aware of OCD which has plagued my mother for more than 91 years and that also is the mental demon in my present life. With it’s ability to change just when you think you have gained some control over it’s power, it remains a strong interfering frustration in both my mother’s and my life.
It is very difficult to help people that do not have this anxiety, especially family members, to understand the complexity of this mental issue. Because of it’s nature, there is a lot of stigma conected with this anxiety disorder.
I can tell from reading what has been expressed in the letters written on behalf of the “Obsessive” programing, that many people have been impressed and enlightened–even educated–reguardinng this dilemma. Perhaps, soon, folks will learn how to avoid being side-tracked by stigma and learn to embrace those that are already struggling with these issues.
Thanks for the help!
Suncerely,
Charlotte Frederick
posted July 2, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I have to say I watch these kinds of shows, I’m also a fan of the show INTERVENTION. I try to understand how certain mental disorders work. Both of these shows should be applauded for not only just showing the intense suffering these people go trough but also showing them how to get better. I always rejoice when they get the help they so desperately need and then apply it. God put different people in our lives when we need them and for these people who’s everyday life can be a struggle just to live day to day really shows how wonderful his love is and how he works through these angels on earth. As a represenitive of the human race and a believer in God and his power to work miracles everyday, I thank you.
posted August 4, 2009 at 4:19 pm
I believe this program is a good thing in that it sheds some light on
an otherwise mysterious disorder that affects thousands of people. However, I’m a bit confused how someone paralyzed with irrational behaviors, could summon the courage to appear on national TV completely exposing their lives. They complain of being deeply embarassed by their obsessions, and yet they elect to transmit them to millions of homes on a weekly basis. This seems a bit disingenuine. I have no doubt that panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder exists, but I’m wondering if the particular patients shown on the show are suffering more from narcissism than from panic.
posted April 27, 2010 at 4:28 am
Pamela, I can tell you that the “exposure” part of it isn’t easy! Rest assured that anxieties come attached to spotlights, and being completely open about such personal things can be part of dealing with one’s issues, which is what these people were doing.
One thing that we’re on this Earth to do is to share with eachother… some people don’t feel as open to do this sort of thing. I hope that the people on this show stood as an example to others that it’s okay to let your supposed flaws show. Everyone has little things that they hide, but if we stopped hiding them would it really make that much of a difference in the end? People are more loving, understanding and accepting than you can ever imagine if you’re genuine an open and honest. For this, I do not feel that these people were anything less than genuine. They really went through some difficult things with this therapy and I’m proud of them!