Day after day, six kids from varied walks of life and economic backgrounds weather severe anxiety and feel forced to engage in the complex and time-consuming rituals that OCD “tells” them to do.
Holden worries constantly that he will turn into a bodybuilder if he wears the color green or sees The Hulk on TV. Vanessa is convinced that two trees on her block are poison and she will get contaminated by walking near them. Jake is bullied at school because he must do complicated blinking and walking rituals each time he sees a clock. Sharif insists on rewriting his homework over and over until he feels it’s perfect. Sarah can’t get ready for school because she is compelled to do elaborate morning rituals. Ariel believes her thoughts caused her Aunt to get sick so she reads the Bible for hours each day trying to cure her.
Meanwhile, two siblings share how OCD took over the family. Tatum, Holden’s sister, talks about how his violent outbursts made the family fear he would be taken away. Vanessa’s sister, Charlotte, explains how hard it was when Vanessa was afraid to be near her.
Finally, after much resistance, the kids get to the right therapists. “I thought it was a waste of time,” Sharif says. “How can anybody know more about this than me, when I’m the one dealing with OCD?” One by one they learn to recognize OCD thoughts and slowly begin to confront their fears using a process called Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy. In an intensive inpatient program, therapists work with Sarah to break from her extensive morning and bedtime rituals. Vanessa’s therapist has her stand by the tree, touch dirt near it, and hold onto it. After completing a lengthy list of exposures, Holden is challenged to get a hug from a bodybuilder.
By the end of the film, the kids are significantly better. They still struggle, but have learned how to identify OCD worries and continually practice exposures to stay strong. The self-awareness and resilience of these children sends a strong message to viewers, and provides hope for all those dealing with mental illness.
