O.C.D. in F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

MADISON CLARK | PSYCH. 101

Psychology Basis

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(O.C.D.)

A type of anxiety disorder

Obsessions Irrational thoughts Ex. Needing things color

coordinated

Compulsions Ritualistic actions Ex. Organizing your closet

according to color/shade

Media

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

• Professional Chef in Manhattan• Married to Chandler• Has O.C.D.Monica• Monica’s best friend/roommate• Doesn’t like to do chores or have confrontation• Usually stays out of Monica’s cleaning rampagesRachel• The funny guy• Tries to help Monica clean• Had to find out the hard way the extent of Monica’s O.C.D.

Chandler

Connection

Connection

In the episode “The One with the Lesbian Wedding,” Monica is catering a wedding and finds herself overwhelmed.

“I could really use some help here!” –Monica “Do you really need help or are you just going to yell ‘Get the hell out of my kitchen?’” –

Rachel

Monica (off-screen) yelled at Rachel before this scene for trying to help her because she is so particular about how things need to go with her cooking, especially how things go in her kitchen.

Connection

In the episode “The One Where Phoebe Runs,” Chandler tries to do something nice for Monica. He decides she probably had a long day at work and wants to clean the apartment for her.

“So, what are you doing?” –Ross (Monica’s brother) “What does it look like? I’m cleaning.” –Chandler “Uh, did you get Monica’s authorization first?” –Ross “What? I’m going to put everything back.” –Chandler “Put everything back exactly the way it was?” –Ross (Mocking) “Yes, ‘put everything back exactly the way it was.’” –

Chandler

Connection Once Monica comes home from work, she

immediately feels something “wrong.” “I have like a headache or something. DID

YOU MOVE THE FURNITURE?” –Monica “Yes, sweetie. I just wanted to do something..”

–Chandler “Oh, honey! That’s so nice! Anyways, let me

show you how you take out each cleaning material. And oh my God look at the living room! Obviously the couch goes here so that it’s the perfect distance away from the other chairs so you don’t have to crank your neck and the perfect distance from the T.V. so you can hear it without it being too loud or quiet.” –Monica

ConnectionTHE WRITERS OF FRIENDS OBVIOUSLY DID SOME RESEARCH AS TO HOW A PERSON WITH O.C.D. BEHAVES AND INTERACTS WITH THOSE LIVING WITH THEM. THOUGH O.C.D. CAN COME IN EXTREME AND MILD CASES. THE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS THE DRAMATIC WAYS THAT PERSONS WITH O.C.D. BEHAVE. SUCH AS MONICA’S “NIGH CLEANING” OR IN ONE EPISODE SHE GOES TO A STRANGER’S HOME BECAUSE SHE HEARD HOW CLUTTERED IT WAS AND SHE COULDN’T FALL ASLEEP KNOWING HOW FILTHY IT WAS. FRIENDS PRODUCERS DID A DECENT JOB OF HIGHLIGHTING THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT O.C.D. LOOKS LIKE.