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REVIEW by Davi Thornton: Adrian Monk’s OCD is, in his own words, “a gift and a curse.” Although plagued by self-doubts and intense fears of contamination, illness and the general disorder of life, Monk’s obsessive attention to detail gives him amazing powers of perception that allow him to work as a brilliant detective. Viewers are invited to laugh, cry and cringe as they follow Monk as he solves crimes, ultimately seeking resolution after his beloved wife’s violent murder. Throughout this tumultuous journey, Monk forges enduring yet complicated relationships with his caretakers (Sherona and then Natalie) and his colleagues who work for the police department.
Monk has won a number of awards for its positive and accurate portrayals of a protagonist with a severe mental illness (OCD). The show portrays Monk in a humanizing and compassionate light, even as he struggles with a range of nearly-debilitating compulsions—including handwashing, counting, checking, cleaning and touching. Although Monk’s OCD is central to the show and a defining feature of his character, he is also portrayed as an “Everyman” with whom anyone (whether or not they have an OCD diagnosis) can identify. The show intentionally and successfully works to create the reaction, “I do that too!” or “I’m just like Monk,” as evidenced by the responses from viewers on its website and chat groups. Thus, one of the fascinating features about the show is its work to universalize OCD itself—portraying Monk’s illness as an ensemble of behaviors and thought processes that most if not all people share, even if their manifestation tends to be less intense in the general population.
Monk has won a number of awards for its positive and accurate portrayals of a protagonist with a severe mental illness (OCD). The show portrays Monk in a humanizing and compassionate light, even as he struggles with a range of nearly-debilitating compulsions—including handwashing, counting, checking, cleaning and touching. Although Monk’s OCD is central to the show and a defining feature of his character, he is also portrayed as an “Everyman” with whom anyone (whether or not they have an OCD diagnosis) can identify. The show intentionally and successfully works to create the reaction, “I do that too!” or “I’m just like Monk,” as evidenced by the responses from viewers on its website and chat groups. Thus, one of the fascinating features about the show is its work to universalize OCD itself—portraying Monk’s illness as an ensemble of behaviors and thought processes that most if not all people share, even if their manifestation tends to be less intense in the general population.
DISCUSS the show (in comments section below):
- How accurately does Monk portray OCD?
- What are the potential benefits and dangers of the show's influence to "universalize" OCD? Does it help combat stigma or does it trivialize the disorder?
- If you or someone you know closely is diagnosed with OCD, how do you feel when someone says "I'm just like Monk" or "I'm so OCD" -- when the clearly do NOT have the disorder?
In my opinion this one shows that there is much that Hollywood doesn't understand. OCD is used for comedic effect, but I rarely got a sense that the writers appreciated the seriousness of condition.
ReplyDeleteI would say that its representation of OCD is partial, but I do think it suggests the seriousness of the condition. Monk suffers considerably in a number of ways--his relationships, his career, his daily life and his emotional being are significantly shaped by his struggles with OCD. The show has been lauded by SAMHSA and the Anxiety Disorders Association of America for its compassion and accuracy.
ReplyDeleteI loved Monk...and I think it still encourages us to have compassion for those with OCD issues. I think one of the sweetest things about the show is the circle of friends he had who were able to, literally, overlook some of the difficulties of dealing with him. I also think Tony Shaloub allowed the character to grow in his own understanding and acceptance.
ReplyDeleteMonk was one of the first broad-based media opportunities to show what OCD really looked like. In many ways this show raised awareness of the disorder, and unfortunately in many ways it was a missed opportunity. While the show did show that Monk was clearly suffering, it also continued to strengthen the association that OCD is just eccentric behavior. That the OCD is more part of his personality than something different and separate from his "self". Monk brought OCD into popular culture. However, we need to do a lot of work to show that this is truly a debilitating psychiatric disorder.
ReplyDeleteJeff Szymanski, PhD
Executive Director
International OCD Foundation
I love "Monk", and the endearing vulnerability that Tony Shalhoub portrays through his character. I agree with Jeff, the show does continue to strengthen the public's association that OCD is just eccentric behavior, or even somewhat universal. However, the show is, in fact, required to be a form of entertainment. It must keep its sponsors/advertisers happy. I don't think any true portrayal of OCD would be something people would enjoy watching week after week, myself included. I see "Monk"s greatest success in the eyes of people who actually do have OCD is that (1) it relates that we with OCD can, in fact, have friends and function to a degree, despite the limitations we place on ourselves, and (2)it allows us to weave our OCD into the wider world in a lighter experience than the horrible struggle it usually is. This show temporarily "lightens our load" long enough to see that we're not the only person with this burden, that we are not as totally "unlikable" as we see ourselves, and that people who have OCD can still be lovable and be productive members of society. It's good to see Mr. Monk actually USE his perspective of the world in a valid way. The show is sometimes simplistic in its attempt to relate this to the general population. It is quite possible for us with OCD to USE our perspective of the real world to provide sometimes valuable roles and insights into subtleties that non-sufferers overlook. Sometimes the "subtleties" can actually BE quite dangerous. But then "Monk" is not meant to be a documentary. It is entertainment. So I accept it as that. I can still enjoy "Monk" without getting bogged down in the perfectionistic requirement that it be totally accurate in its depiction of OCD.
ReplyDelete-- Mary B. in Pflugerville
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