This novel
would not be true to the style of S. Walden if it did not contain some dark and
difficult moments. Events that cause anxiety can be especially hard for
individuals who suffer from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder . . . It is obvious
to me that the author thoroughly researched OCD and combined the knowledge she
learned with her ability to write a beautiful story. ~ Robin (Hesperia Loves Books)
(art by Michelle @ Give Me Books)
I suffer from anxiety. Not the same thing as
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (though the two are BFFs), but it’s a mental condition that can be quite debilitating.
So when I created the idea for LoveLines—knowing I wanted to write a story
about a heroine who suffers from OCD—I knew I wouldn’t take it lightly. “It”
being the actual condition. I wouldn’t disrespect it. I knew I’d probably end
up teaching readers a thing or two, because from what I discovered through
research, OCD is nothing like our society portrays it in movies, on television,
even in books! I thought I understood it before cracking open those journals. Um, no.
First off, let's be real. Tics can be funny. If you’ve ever read “A Plague of Tics”
from David Sedaris’s Naked, you know
what I’m talking about. You probably laughed so hard you peed yourself and never
admitted it to anyone. So yeah, the quirks can be cute and funny. Reece, my
hero, sees them that way. But that’s before he really “sees” Bailey’s OCD—how it
affects every aspect of her life. Controls her. Inhibits her. Forces her to
live a life with “clearly defined lines.” It is . . . debilitating.
Could I write an entire story with that somber tone? Hell no!
And anyway, let’s face it: some tics lend themselves to humor. And Bailey can
see the humor. She makes fun of herself. Her self-deprecation is probably her
cutest characteristic. But understand that her creator took a lot of time to
learn just how OCD works and how loved ones of OCD sufferers should help them
manage their condition. Unfortunately, there’s not a ton of research out there.
Doctors still don’t know why a person is OCD (they think it’s a different
wiring in the brain), but there are treatments to manage the condition. Not cure it. Manage it.
Here’s the most important thing I learned: people who suffer
from OCD do not take pleasure in performing their tics. In fact, they loathe
themselves for submitting to their urges. Why can’t they just refrain from tapping that pen like we can? Well, here’s the second most important thing I
learned: they believe that something disastrous will happen to them or their
loved ones if they do not perform their tics. Makes no sense to us, but it
makes total sense to them. They don’t want to invite heartache or loss. It’s
easier to tap the pen.
You will see this all throughout LoveLines. Yes, you’re
gonna laugh. A lot. Yes, you’re gonna think Reece is a weirdo. No, I didn’t say
Bailey. I said Reece. You’re gonna experience some sickly sweet moments and tough
moments that demonstrate Bailey’s condition. Front and center. And hopefully
when you reach the conclusion, you’ll have a better understanding of a mental
illness that’s been misrepresented or ignored.
(art by Karinna Baez)
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