The OCD Project Season 1 Episode 2 What's Your Problem

The OCD Project is a reality TV series that follows the efforts of a team of clinical psychologists, including Dr. David Tolin, in helping people overcome their obsessive-compulsive disorder. In season 1's second episode titled "What's Your Problem," the team continues to work with four new patients, each struggling with their own unique forms of OCD.

The episode begins with the introduction of the first patient, 31-year-old Valerie. She has a fear of germs, which has led her to develop an elaborate hand-washing ritual that can take several hours each day. She also avoids touching anything she perceives as contaminated, including her own children. During her initial assessment, Dr. Tolin observes Valerie washing her hands for an hour and a half while her family waits outside, demonstrating the seriousness of her symptoms.

The second patient is 26-year-old Lucas, who suffers from contamination OCD as well. He is particularly scared of contracting HIV and Hepatitis, which has resulted in him avoiding many social situations and relationships. Lucas shows Dr. Tolin his rituals, which can take up to two hours, including cleaning himself with bleach and wearing gloves and a mask when leaving his apartment.

Next up is 24-year-old Michelle, who has a fear of harming others. She's constantly afraid that she will hurt someone, which has led her to develop a number of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Michelle avoids sharp objects, such as knives and scissors, and cannot be around young children for fear of harming them.

The final patient is 21-year-old Nick, who has the same symptoms as Michelle but to a lesser degree. He's also developed a fear of contamination, which he manages through hand washing and avoiding certain objects and situations. Nick is hesitant to seek professional help, and his journey through therapy forms a central plotline throughout the episode.

Throughout the episode, the team of psychologists work closely with each of the patients, helping them to recognize and address their irrational beliefs and behaviors. For Valerie, this means gradually reducing the time she spends washing her hands and learning to tolerate some level of uncertainty. The team encourages her to touch surfaces she perceives as dirty and to challenge her thoughts about the consequences of not washing her hands repeatedly. For Lucas, the team works on reducing the amount and frequency of his rituals, as well as challenging some of his core beliefs about the likelihood of contracting a disease. They also work on improving his social skills and helping him to establish healthy relationships.

For Michelle and Nick, the team uses exposure and response prevention therapy, where they help the patients confront their fears and obsessions in a controlled environment. Michelle gradually exposes herself to her fear of harming others, such as by holding a knife and sitting near a young child, while Nick is gradually exposed to contamination fears, such as by touching a "dirty" object and then not immediately washing his hands.

Along the way, we see the patients struggle with their fears and doubts, but they also make significant progress. Valerie learns to tolerate uncertainty and reduce the time spent on washing rituals, Lucas starts to open up to new social experiences, and Michelle and Nick confront their fears head-on and begin to develop new and healthier ways of thinking and behaving.

Overall, "What's Your Problem" is a compelling and informative episode of The OCD Project that showcases the challenges and victories of living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It's an emotionally charged and insightful episode that shows the power of therapy and the resilience of the human spirit.