While the very serious condition of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been much examined and debated in medical circles, there’s no doubt the condition has lent itself to some of our biggest film and TV talents as a way to set apart some of the screen’s most memorable characters.
DI Joseph Chandler (Rupert Penry-Jones) in crime drama ‘Whitechapel’ is just one of those whose tireless attention to detail, long after frustrated colleagues are willing to pack up and go home, helps make him the detective he is. His OCD sometimes gets in the way of his work, but generally is seen as a good thing in helping him solve the trickiest of cases.
Rupert Penry-Jones plays DI Chandler, a TV character with OCD that both hinders and helps
Detectives aren’t the only characters to suffer with the disorder, which we’ve seen portrayed movingly - who can forget Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes? - and hopefully is a comfort to those real people for whom OCD is an endless burden.
‘Whitechapel’ Series 1-4 are available on DVD boxset and digital download. Watch the (appropriate) montage below...
Useful websites and helplines
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.