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The Depiction of Anxiety Disorders in books- 'Turtles All The Way Down' and OCD

Mehak Vohra

The depiction of anxiety disorders in books and movies makes a difference in the perception of these disorders as a whole and how they are treated. Only recently have we begun to see anxiety disorders being depicted in mainstream media. The stigma and taboo around mental disorders and therapy remains prevalent all around the world. It is also extremely difficult to represent these disorders accurately in a sensitive manner, without romanticizing the disorder or dismissing it. Author John Green, who has previously spoken about suffering from Obsessive-compulsive disorder himself, depicts the disorder as accompanied by terrible anxiety in his latest book ‘Turtles All The Way Down’, through the narrator Aza Holmes’ thought process.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (referred to as OCD henceforth) is defined by the occurrence of obsessive thoughts and the compulsive behaviours performed in an attempt to neutralize such thoughts. Obsessions are persistent and recurrent intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that are experienced as disturbing, inappropriate and uncontrollable. Compulsions involve over repetitive behaviours that are performed as lengthy rituals. (Stein et al) OCD is often accompanied by behavioural symptoms such as hypervigilance, impulsivity, ritualistic behaviour; affective symptoms such as fear, apprehension and guilt, along with other general symptoms such as nightmares, panic attacks and food aversion.
In the book, Aza’s main fear arises from the ecosystem of bacteria. This fear dwells into all her activities, and her thoughts spiral about the rumble in her gut, contracting infections, and any possible contact of bacteria. She is obsessed with bacteria while being thoroughly repulsed by the thought of it. The author’s style of writing puts form and expression to the intrusive, repetitive thoughts that OCD is defined by. John Green uses his own experiences with anxiety disorders as a gateway into representing OCD as itself- by making the writing as authentic and uncomfortable as possible and sending the reader into the same deep-dive of thoughts which the character experiences. Although, Aza’s anxiety disorder is not the main subject or focus of the book, it is overwhelmingly present, at all instances, driving her behaviour. She would find herself googling the symptoms of c.diff repeatedly to ensure she did not have it, washing her mouth with hand sanitizer to kill any bacteria, opening an unhealed wound in her hand repeatedly just to disinfect it every time, are some of the behaviours she indulged in. The author makes us live through Aza’s thoughts and feel the apprehension and anxiety which comes with OCD without once labelling the character as someone suffering from OCD, using metaphors instead of labels to drive the point. The main plotline of the story is the disappearance of a billionaire but it is the handling of the main character’s mental disorder which stands out from the plotline and characterizations.
The book, having accomplished its depiction of OCD, helps us in our understanding of the disorder. The author provides no relief from the brutally repetitive thoughts Aza faces- just how someone suffering from OCD faces no relief from their obsessive thoughts. He showcases the obsessive and compulsive elements in all honesty, and intensity, without having the main focus of the book be on the disorder. Further, in the story, despite going to a therapist and willing herself to refrain from her obsessive behaviours, Aza still sometimes finds herself giving into her compulsive urges. This showcases the reality of having an anxiety disorder, breaking the misconception about mental health that a single therapy session can cure us- mental disorders are much deeper and more delicate than perceived by the general public, and Turtles All The Way Down makes us experience OCD along with Aza, breaking past those stereotypical notions. 
The author delves into OCD deeper than its surface level interpretation of washing hands an irregular number of times (i.e., the compulsive behaviour aspect) into the actual battle in one’s mind (i.e. the obsessive overwhelming thoughts). The portrayal of OCD and anxiety disorders in the book are accurate and realistic. The depictions of thought spirals and overwhelming thoughts are in line with the symptoms one experiences while suffering from OCD, and the author does major justice to the anxiety disorders by not glorifying the mental disorder or underplaying it, but incorporating it into the character’s narration and thought processes. Hence, Turtles All The Way Down is a success when it comes to the depiction of mental disorders in mainstream media.

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