OCD AS COLLAGE

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is often misrepresented in media and thrown around as adjective for being clean or neat, when it is in fact a debilitating illness that can ruin lives and even end in suicide. This capstone project is a series of five collages created over the course of a semester that show a personal experience with OCD, focusing on symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, compulsive actions like body-focused repetitive behaviors, and coping strategies. This project uses research on collage techniques, information on OCD, and influences of surrealism and horror to create an unsettling atmosphere in the collages. The audience of this capstone is University of Maryland scholars students, anyone who is interested in mental health issues, and other people who are suffering with OCD. This project is significant as it shows one unique experience with OCD, and may offer insight into the severity of the disorder for those who are unaware. This capstone may inspire people to learn more about OCD and lessen misinformation and stigmatization.