UNSTUCK A family that fights OCD together beats OCD together (Ep81)

Summary

In Episode 81 of The OCD Stories podcast, the host interviews Chris and Kelly, creators of the documentary *Unstuck*, which focuses on childhood OCD. The documentary highlights kids as the experts, sharing their experiences and wisdom to help others battling OCD. Through interviews with Chris, his daughters Vanessa and Charlotte, and their personal stories, the episode explores the impact of OCD on children, the importance of sibling support, and the process of recovery. The discussion also touches on the value of community, family involvement, and the need for persistence in managing OCD.

Takeaways

• 😀 *Unstuck* is a documentary about childhood OCD that empowers children by making them the experts and showing their experiences and wisdom to help others.
• 😀 The documentary features interviews with kids with OCD, their parents, and siblings, highlighting the importance of family involvement in managing OCD.
• 😀 It emphasizes the process of overcoming OCD through therapy and hard work, aiming to provide hope for both kids and families.
• 😀 The film avoids sensationalizing OCD by showing kids in crisis, focusing instead on the journey of improvement and learning to manage the disorder.
• 😀 The documentary aims to increase awareness and reduce stigma around OCD, with an emphasis on showing the diversity of OCD experiences in children.
• 😀 The process of creating the documentary took about two years, with fundraising, interviews, and collaborations pushing the timeline forward.
• 😀 OCD affects children in different ways, and the documentary includes kids with diverse experiences, debunking the stereotype of OCD as only being about washing hands.
• 😀 Parents need to understand that managing OCD requires collaboration, as accommodating the child's fears can actually hinder recovery in the long term.
• 😀 The documentary encourages parents and caregivers to educate themselves about OCD and its treatment, advocating for the importance of knowledge in managing the disorder.
• 😀 The film’s creators are actively working on screenings and community outreach, and the documentary is currently not widely available for purchase to ensure it can enter film festivals.
• 😀 The importance of sibling support is highlighted, with Charlotte sharing how she helped her sister Vanessa through exposures and how her patience and understanding were crucial in the process.

Q & A

What is the focus of the documentary 'Unstuck'?

The documentary focuses on childhood OCD, portraying kids as the experts. It takes their advice and experiences to help other children and parents who are dealing with the disorder.

What makes the documentary 'Unstuck' unique compared to other OCD-related films?

Unlike other documentaries that may sensationalize the crisis moment, 'Unstuck' emphasizes hope and the recovery process. It focuses on kids who have learned tools to manage OCD, showing how therapy and hard work can lead to improvement.

What is the main message for families dealing with childhood OCD?

The main message is that families are not alone. There is a community of support, and with the right resources and effort, kids with OCD can improve their situation.

How does the documentary portray the role of siblings in supporting a child with OCD?

Siblings, like Charlotte in the documentary, play a crucial role by helping their brothers or sisters through exposures. Charlotte shares her own experiences of supporting her sister, Vanessa, during her OCD challenges.

What advice does Chris, the father, give to parents of children with OCD?

Chris advises parents to advocate for their children, find appropriate help, and educate themselves about OCD. He emphasizes the importance of supporting children without trying to 'fix' them, but rather helping them navigate their challenges.

What role did Charlotte, the sister, play in Vanessa's recovery process?

Charlotte actively participated in Vanessa's exposures, including helping her face her fears in a supportive way. For instance, she would eat chocolate mousse cake to help Vanessa gradually overcome her fear of it.

What advice do the daughters, Charlotte and Vanessa, give to others with OCD or supporting someone with OCD?

Charlotte advises being patient and understanding with a sibling who has OCD, while Vanessa encourages others to never give up, even when the fear feels overwhelming. Both emphasize the importance of working through OCD with help and support.

What are some of the resources for families to access the documentary 'Unstuck'?

The documentary can be accessed through various educational licenses for universities, libraries, schools, and therapists. It is also available for purchase or screening through the website. The film has not been released to the general public yet due to film festival considerations.

What has Chris learned from the process of creating the documentary?

Chris has learned that OCD can affect children in many different ways, breaking the stereotype that it's just about washing hands. He also appreciates how storytelling, especially through social media, has helped raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health.

What personal challenges did Chris face as a parent of a child with OCD?

Chris learned that OCD doesn't just affect the child but the entire family. As a parent, his natural instinct was to fix the problem, but he had to learn to be more of a peer and advocate for his daughter, helping her learn to manage OCD rather than trying to 'solve' it directly.