Zoe Vorpahl

Can creating a self-therapy journal to change the mindset of OCD individuals be beneficial to those who are afraid to ask for help? 

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a project for those who suffer from OCD. This project explores a self-therapy journal to help aid OCD sufferers who don't feel comfortable sharing their intrusive thoughts with anyone but themselves.

Exposure and response prevention therapy is one of the most effective forms of treatment for OCD. Journaling alongside this framework, users gain a deeper understanding of their obsessions and compulsions. They are able to recognise the patterns which occur and overcome the urges to do compulsive behaviours. The yearly journal allows the user to look at each journal entry on an exact date, allowing them to uncover the time periods when they began to notice change or see progress. They begin to master new ways to cope with their bothersome, obsessive thoughts.

The intention behind the journal was because of the lack of self-help journals targeted just to OCD individuals. Putting design and theory together to create a tangible self-help guide is the solution to the design problem.