According to SANE Australia, roughly 1 in 50 Australians have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
However, of all mental illnesses, OCD remains one of the most misunderstood.
People with OCD are plagued by excessive, intrusive, and often highly distressing thoughts (read obsessions) that can lead to repetitive behaviours (read compulsions) aimed at relieving those thoughts.
Simon, who has harm OCD, experiences thoughts of harming himself and thoughts of others being harmed. He uses self-punishment rituals to cope.
When asked: “Does it shit you that people who simply like a clean house describe themselves as ‘a bit OCD?’” He doesn’t mix words.
“They use my illness or my sickness like a personality trait. ‘Oh, look, I have all the pens on my desk in fucking order. That makes me very OCD.’ It’s like, fuck off.”
Osher Gunsberg was diagnosed with OCD at 40.
On the You Can’t Ask That set we see a different side to The Bachelor host. Honest and vulnerable in the most powerful way, his reason for sharing his personal mental health story on You Can’t Ask That is very clear.
“People have in their mind an idea of what someone living with a mental illness looks like. But it’s me counting roses in a nice, tailored suit on primetime television. That’s someone living with a mental illness.”
After watching this episode, you’ll never say, “I’m a little bit OCD” again.
The You Can’t Ask That format confronts prejudice and discrimination and offers real insight into the lives of everyday Australians.
Production credits: You Can’t Ask That is an ABC Production. Series Director and Producer: Kirk Docker, Series Producer: Josh Schmidt, ABC Executive Producer: Frances O’Riordan and ABC Head of Entertainment: Nicholas Hayden.
