MACHINE MAN

ABOUT the film (trailer):  Machine Man producers are hoping to make a major Hollywood feature film about OCD. Creating a grassroots campaign reaching out to the millions of people who are either affected by OCD or are friends and/or family members of those who struggle with this debilitating psychological disorder and the many more people who can empathize with this overwhelming struggle, Machine Man's aim is to "change the perception of OCD through media and art".

The story features Ben Lyle, a man with obsessive thoughts of harming others. He slowly loses control as he attempts to tell the difference between reality and the enemy he fears most -- his own mind. The anxiety creates another huge obstacle in fulfilling what his heart has been telling him for quite some time - that he’s in love with Mira and wants to be with her. As his internal conflict escalates, he fights it with everything he’s got. He must struggle to get his mind under control simply to appear normal and not lose the most important person in his life. He has to reach inside of himself and find courage he never knew existed for his greatest discovery in his life so far . . .  hope.

WATCH the trailer (3 min): Machine Man.

DISCUSS the trailer: After you watch the trailer, return here to join in the discussion at the bottom of this page.

REVIEWS:

Father of child w/ OCD talks about Machine Man.  

I am so happy that you are doing this project!  It needs to be done.  My 8  year  old son has OCD and CHILDHOOD OCD brings its own set of difficulties.  Only one of these is school issues which is very important since it brings about legal troubles.  It also directly involves all family members in the day to day struggles. Thank you so much, -- Angela Hinderliter, OCD warrior

Thank you for undertaking a very important project.  As someone who has suffered and struggled for over 20 years with this disorder I understand the importance of this movie - I also know the shame associated with it - hopefully, Machine Man will help in removing the stigma and shame associated with this disorder and those of us suffering don't have to suffer in silence any longer. Blessings and best wishes with this project, -- Joanne Cristiano

DISCUSS Machine Man (in the comments section below):

• This film shows harming obsessions, experienced by many people with OCD but not as widely known as contamination obsessions and hand washing compulsions. How important is it for us to raise awareness about this form of OCD?
• The film, like As Good As It Gets, features a love story as central to the hero's path to recovery. In your own experience, how have important relationships played a part in recovery from OCD in yourself or someone you know?
• New research at the Chad Wetterneck PhD's laboratory University of Houston - Clear Lake (to be presented at the OCD TEXAS conference in Austin Oct 13) indicates that many people with OCD may experience significant negative perceptions from others when they reveal their violent or sexual obsessions. Psychology students and even licensed therapists may have more stigma and judgment associated with taboo obsessions. How can we overcome the stigma of violent and/or sexual obsessions?