Book review
What If?
This month, we take an emotional trip through what it’s like to be a teenager struggling with the rituals, compulsions, and anxiety of OCD Writing | Bonnie Evie Gifford
“
W
e’re all a bit OCD, aren’t we?” – a common sentiment that has made the rounds in recent years. While often said without meaning any harm, the truth is no, we really aren’t all just ‘a bit OCD’. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) involves intrusive, obsessive thoughts, followed by compulsive urges. Often overwhelming, the only way a person experiencing OCD can relieve these intrusive thoughts is to repeat an action, over and over, until they are quelled. Misleading stereotypes can mask the true complexities and difficulties of day-today life for those affected by OCD. Author Anna Russell’s latest young adult novel sets out to give readers a
64 • happiful • February 2019
true glimpse into the thought patterns, repetitive behaviours, and far-reaching impact OCD can have on teens. So what’s it about? Focusing on the story of Josh Baker, a 16-year-old drummer, maths genius, and Beatles enthusiast, we discover from the outset that Josh isn’t sure why his brain tells him to do things that other people don’t need to do. Having to finish each song perfectly, starting and re-starting his homework past the point of exhaustion; countless rituals, big and small, rule his behaviour. He fears that if he doesn’t do things perfectly, something bad will happen to his family. As his grades slip and he feels unable to make it to class, readers gain a stark insight into the effect it has not only on Josh, but on his family as well. We see
first-hand Josh’s desire to break away from his thoughts, and the trouble others can have in understanding how much it impacts him. A CHALLENGING (BUT WORTHWHILE) FORMAT Written as a piece of poetic fiction, while the plot is fully formed, the layout may take a little time to get used to. The presentation of words on the page follows Josh’s thought pattern in places, creating its own rhythm you can feel as you read the page. The sheer amount of white space draws the readers’ focus even more firmly to the pacing, layout and repetition. Once you get past the initial discomfort with the unusual style, it draws you in and keeps you engaged throughout.