I was pleased to have an article on the “OCD Bully” published in the BMJ as a “Filler” this week. I was slightly disappointed that it was not on the front cover but the picture inside was quite prominent. You can download the article - here.  It is on page 779 of the October 9 issue of the BMJ (2010; 341:c2596)

I had previously submitted the article to a high impact psychiatric journal but was rejected. Although the Editor said he liked it, he said it had caused some controversy in their office as someone thought it was derogatory to patients. I should add that the installation was developed with the help of patients with OCD and it remains a popular figure in our unit. We have also displayed the Bully at a couple of conferences and had many positive comments.

The OCD Bully is a concept that was in my mind for several years and described in the article. My friend, Steve Caplin, finally helped me to realize it.  Steve Caplin is an award-winning artist and writer. The author of a dozen books including “Dad Stuff”, “How to Cheat in Photoshop” and “Complete and Utter Zebu”, Steve is best known for his illustration work. He creates satirical photomontage illustrations for a range of national and international magazines and newspapers, including The Guardian, The Independent, The Sunday Telegraph, The Sunday Times Magazine, Radio Times, Readers Digest, I’Internazionale, FHM France and many more. Steve Caplin has also been building installations for thirty years, chiefly from found objects and urban detritus. His largest work is a 16-foot working Camera Obscura, located in a garden in Hertfordshire.

Professor Jack Rachman unveiled the installation at the Bethlem Royal. He is one of the world’s leading experts on OCD. He used to work on the unit about 30 years ago but is now semi-retired in Vancouver. The story of the OCD bully has been accepted for publication in the British Medical Journal.

More humanoids?

I would love to commission Steve Caplin to create more humanoids that depict the force behind other mental disorders. Just think if we had another 10 siblings – we could have an exhibition of them in the Tate Modern!  Please contact me if you would like more details as they are not that expensive (only the cost of the materials and his time ). I think they can really convey the misery and distress of a mental disorder.

David