OCD-UK speak out against Channel 4 show Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners

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Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners search for Surrey stars

Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners has been sparking controversy in the mental health community since it first aired in February 2013

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OCD-UK are keen for Channel 4 to reconsider commissioning and airing a third series of the controversial show

OCD-UK have taken issue with Channel 4 show Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners since it first aired back in 2013. When OC Cleaners invited Surrey locals to take part, we asked OCD-UK for their thoughts.

As this week (Oct 13-19) is OCD Awareness Week, we think it's well worth having a look at what they had to say.

"Since the first series aired back in February 2013, the national charity OCD-UK have been calling on Channel 4 to reconsider and drop Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners, and we remain disheartened that Channel 4 have commissioned a third series of the controversial programme.

OCD-UK felt the only message delivered by this programme was to add to the misconceptions, confusion and misunderstanding the general viewing audience have about what OCD is, and what OCD isn’t, further adding to the stigma that those with this insidious illness feel.

One of our many concerns is that the programme gives the impression that people with OCD get pleasure from their compulsive cleaning. We feel that this not only trivialises the severity of those that suffer with contamination obsessive fears, but also adds further to the misconception that OCD is primarily about cleaning compulsions, when in fact only 26.5% of people with OCD actually have cleaning compulsions. These cleaners in Pembrokeshire were shocked too! See.

OCD should never be promoted as entertainment value, it is a serious disabling illness, and those that battle the anxiety of OCD on a daily basis deserve far more respect than Channel 4 is affording them with such programmes. Programmes such as Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners only work against our fight to end mental health stigma.

The fact that Channel 4 are calling on local Surrey residents to take part in this third series follows town centre recruitment for series two, but may be a reflection on programme makers Betty TV and Channel 4’s desperation in recruitment for this series, highlighted by the fact that none of the national OCD or Anxiety charities are helping with participation recruitment promotion via their websites, something which is highly unusual for OCD based programmes.

Perhaps of further concern for OCD-UK is the fact that despite a huge outcry of upset and even anger from people with OCD about Channel 4 and Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners, larger mental health organisations, charitable and NHS, have failed to fully represent the people they support by failing to publicly challenge Channel 4 about this programme.

This was highlighted to OCD-UK when one NHS service claimed they would not put themselves in a position which would effectively mean they were criticising an organisation (Channel 4) that they were working with. This is rather alarming when you consider that same NHS service runs two national treatment services for people with OCD. OCD-UK believe that this programme has highlighted real concerns that too many charitable and NHS organisations are putting their commercial and media partnerships above the wellbeing and care of those they are supposed to support and represent."

If you are affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, you can find out more about the illness and treatments from OCD-UK at ocduk.org

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