Katherine Pfister answers “Is the portrayal of OCD accurate in this...”

Broadway asked this question about Every Last Word:

Is the portrayal of OCD accurate in this novel?

Katherine Pfister As someone who was recently diagnosed with OCD, yes and no. Obviously, I can't speak for everyone because OCD is a spectrum and everyone has different…moreAs someone who was recently diagnosed with OCD, yes and no. Obviously, I can't speak for everyone because OCD is a spectrum and everyone has different opinions.

First of all, this book paints a picture of someone with a more severe type of OCD, which is also commonly what media represents. This representation caused me to struggle in silence for many years because all I knew of OCD was the severe type and it made me believe that I couldn't possibly have OCD because it didn't feel that severe. For me, I have a little fixation with even numbers, but nowhere near the level that sam had, only feeling slightly uncomfortable but manageable when I deal with things that are uneven. Because of this, it caused me to think I was OCD-baiting or that I was acting on my previously self-diagnosed "hypochondria behavior" That issue is not necessarily the book's fault, but just a lack of representation in all media's portrayal of OCD.

Now, for the Love-fixes-all trope, I get it. However, I don't actually think this book truly expresses that trope. It documents a teenager's reality of battling OCD, struggling with society's expectations, and just wanting to "fit in". In the end, Sam isn't cured from OCD. She continues going to therapy and she continues to struggle, but the ending shows that communicating to those you love and making those relationships can really help, at least they do for me. AJ doesn't cure her OCD, but instead, he is an addition to her support system which is really refreshing to hear. Someone that truly cares about her and is ready to stand by her and support her in whatever she may need in the future. The book ends in a moment in her life where things are looking up, it's not necessarily saying that her life will be perfect from now on. It also shows me, new to this diagnosis, that love and happy life is possible. OCD isn't a death sentence, and it doesn't always mean you have to live a horrible life. You can have OCD and be able to have happy moments. It won't all be sunshine and rainbows, but it doesn't have to be stormy skies forever.(less)

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