to think that OCD cleaners is a bit exploitative?

[Itscurtainsforyou]

Just re-watching an episode of OCD cleaners (don't judge me) and the mother-daughter cleaners seem to be really debilitated in terms of their attitude to germs, mess etc.(no physical affection, for example)

I know this is an entertainment programme, but it seems to be rather harsh on the messy people (who probably have their own MH problems to have got themselves into that state) and borderline exploitative on the cleaners.

I hope they've had psychologists on-hand as part of the screening process for the programme to check that they're robust enough to deal with any backlash...

[SurlyCue]

Yes i tend to agree with you. I will also point out that hoarding as many of the "messy" people have issues with is also a form of OCD. The show is really bringing two opposite ends of the spectrum together. I am not diagnosed but have some OCD traits and i actually veer between hoarding and obsessie cleaning depending on how my depression is. When i am low i go into hoarding mode, i try and keep things to save money. (This is what i am telling myself) but actually i dont use the things, then i will start to feel better and go on obsessive cleaning frenzies, i buy so many different products for every eventuality (also hoarding) and make up strict cleaning regimes. I am working really hard on finding the balance and am doing quite well. Not quite there yet but much better than i was a few years ago.

[CorBlimeyTrousers]

I've long thought this about some of these programmes, starting with How Clean Is Your House. Some of the people were just messy, yes. But others appeared to have mental health problems that led to their houses getting in that state and were being held up for ridicule, a general 'eeww' reaction. It's the same gawping at people who clean their fridge multiple times a day.

[ApignamedJasper]

I read an article written by/about the blonde lady with OCD (forget her name), and it was really sad. She seemed so resigned to a life obsessed with cleaning and was convinced she would never be able to live any other way. Felt sorry for her daughter too but she seems a bit more able to try and recover, still sad :(

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

The mother and daughter aren't 'real' though. It's all for the cameras.

[badtime]

YABU, it is hugely exploitative.

I understand that OCD groups have made lots of complaints about it, as it basically turns a MH problem into 'entertainment' and also perpetuates the idea that OCD is always something to do with cleaning.

I have OCD and when I am more symptomatic I can't clean, as I will get my hands 'contaminated' with whatever it is I am avoiding at the time, or because my hands are such a bleeding mess I don't want to get anything on them that might sting etc.

[RackofPeas]

And all it does is reinforce a stereotype type about ocd. Plenty of sufferers aren't obsessive cleaners, but have other issues.

[RaptorInaPorkPieHat]

I think it buys into the whole minimalisation of OCD as an illness.

A lot of people go round saying 'oh, I'm so OCD about x, y, z.' when in reality they're not even close to it.

In some ways the programme is almost portraying OCD as something to aspire to.

[ApignamedJasper]

Raptor, I really hate it when people do that, same as when people say 'I've got a phobia about X' when they don't or when people say 'I'm so depressed' when they aren't. Totally minimises it and makes people who really suffer look overdramatic.

[The80sweregreat]

I watch it to see how much better the messy places look once they have been cleaned up. I know im sad! I am neither OCD or that dirty, but it must be hard living with someone that extreme. I feel for the mum and daughter as their lives are just cleaning cleaning all day every day. They really need help. My family think it odd that i watch these types of programmes!

[badtime]

And OCD is something one has, not something one is.

I really dislike people saying that they 'are OCD'.

(Why yes, I do have some language-related obsessions. Basically, I worry about people saying/writing things wrongly in case others make fun of them.)

[LittleMissIntrovert]

I can't stand that programme, as an OCD sufferer it makes a mockery of it.

Hoarding is also a form of OCD as others said. I am a hoarder, as in I have clutter and can't bear to throw things away, but I am also paranoid about germs. As in if I prepare chicken I have to clean the floor and tops in case of any drips, wash my hands excessively. My house is clean, but I have a bit of clutter, nothing like these programs though.

I just don't like the way they make out everyone with OCD is a clean freak.

I got an email from channel 4 inviting me to be part of a program but don't agree with how they portray things to make good tv! If it was a proper documentary say on bbc, I would probably take part,

[Sallystyle]

Yes, my OCD group were not happy with these programmes for all the reasons already stated.

Most of these people probably go back to their old ways when they don't have Drs on hand and real life kicks back in. I haven't seen 'Cleaners' so I am not sure how that programme works but I have seen programmes where Drs are always at hand making the process much easier, especially when they were quite insulated from the real world and they weren't dealing with daily stressors that make OCD harder to deal with.

I have never been an obsessive cleaner or worried about germs. My OCD doesn't fit the stereotype but people assume I am a germaphobe or a cleaner when I say I have OCD.

[BallsforEarrings]

I cannot stand the programme!

We are a cleaning company and on the panel of a domestic cleaning trade association and we are very particular about health and safety, these people are NOT operating safely, some of the chemicals they mix cause a noxious gas not unlike 'mustard gas' used in the first world war, which is the result of mixing an acid chemical, of which there are many on sale, with an alkali such as bleach.

I do not think putting both the cleaner and the homeowner at risk in this way should be considered suitable viewing for 'entertainment' purposes.

Cleaning professionals remain constantly shocked by the content of this programme, not least because we would be hung, drawn and quartered for delivering such substandard and dangerous service.

Yes germs will not survive the combination of these chemicals but neither will humans if they carry on like that!