"Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" ◆ The Dangers of Perfectionism

Chunichi Shimbun Morning Edition – July 7, 2006

Do you remember the 1998 Academy Awards? While Titanic seemed poised to sweep all the major categories, it was As Good as It Gets that stole the spotlight—Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt won Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively. This unforgettable middle-aged couple is now part of cinematic history.

The main character is a renowned romance novelist, but ironically, he is hopeless when it comes to relationships. He also suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which manifests in a unique set of behaviors. OCD is a type of anxiety disorder where extreme perfectionism leads to an inability to function normally—like being so cautious that one can't even cross a bridge after checking it thoroughly.

This novelist is consumed by a fear of contamination—he can't bear to touch anything someone else has touched. He uses multiple bars of soap and washes his hands for over an hour. When going out, he compulsively checks that all doors are locked, over and over. Even when dining out, he brings his own set of cutlery. On top of that, he's a sarcastic and selfish person, often disliked by those around him, and lives in constant loneliness. But then, he falls in love with a waitress at his regular restaurant, and a clumsy, middle-aged love story begins to unfold.

As for how the romance progresses, I encourage you to watch the film yourself. But when you do, pay attention to the medication the novelist takes. It’s an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor), a type of drug effective for treating depression and OCD. These medications have largely replaced traditional psychoanalytic therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

The egotistical novelist begins to change after meeting the waitress. He slowly becomes someone capable of caring for others. Whether this transformation is due to the woman’s unwavering kindness or the effects of the medication is unclear—but some kind of neurological change seems to have helped him find love.

OCD is estimated to affect about one in every 200 people. In our highly digitized society, the symptoms of this disorder can easily surface. It’s important to recognize the dangers of perfectionism and strive to become modern individuals who can respond flexibly—sometimes boldly, sometimes cautiously—depending on the situation.