Im intrigued as to why, when Hollyoaks were recalling "geeks" that had lived in Hollyoaks, Cameron was referred to as "more scary then geek." I noticed when the OCD storyline was being aired that Jess and Olivia's reactions often included them thinking he was a "Weirdo" and "Scary."
That may be a characters opinion certainly and perhaps was a wise decision to air feelings such as this, representing the negative views towards people like Cameron but for a website to state that people with OCD are scary seems a bit worrying...
So Im curious, did Cameron Clark actually do anything to give him such a concerning title or am I really reading what I think they are implying. I sincerely hope I am mistaken...
He didn't do anything to bad but i suppose it would be kind of scary for someone to wrap their room in cling film and write things on their walls. Thats not exactly "normal".
Patrick Wolf <3 Tact is for people who aren't Witty enough to be Sarcastic.
It is abnormal, granted, but that is due to a mental disorder- I hardly think Cameron woke up and thought "Hmmm, I know, Im going to wrap my room in clingfilm and write up the walls- might be a laugh!" It clearly distressed him, hence all the episodes he spent crying/anxious.
As I said, its very wise for Hollyoaks to display some of the negative attitudes through other characters. Take John Paul's "coming out" storyline for example, characters like Sonny and Mercedes are used to highlight the negative views/prejudices of certain cultures but for a website, that is meant to be unbiased and supportive to claim that people with OCD are "scary" (when they actually just have a problem and need a lot of support) is totally unaccpetable. I am utterly appauled by this statement.
That OCD storyline wasn't that accurate, I have had it for years and know people who have it and it never escalates that quickly. From going from 'normal' to as bad as Cameron got isn't that common.
I too suffer from OCD quite moderately and I must say I agree with you. OCD does not progress to that level within a couple of months. The average amount of years spent suffering before seeking professional is something ridiculous (into double figures of years) but Hollyoaks couldnt spend a realistic amount of time representing OCD as all the "OH MY GOD LYK DIZ IS GETTIN WELL BORIN NOW" (Most of the Hannah-insulters) would have just moaned.
I hardly see how having a mental disorder makes you "scary" though- they need help, not discrimination
Yep Lush, I agree with you. They can't really win because as you say people would have moaned. I think it is good that they try and show these storylines but they do cause people to see mental illness as scary because they saw Cam as 'normal' and then at a bad level of OCD. I have had it for years and it was only into the last few years I seeked help. Even then I wasn't as bad as Cam was portrayed. I still have it, always will but it doesn't rule my life anymore. It is just a way of life now, I have to live with it.
I still havent seeked help...but I must say, its getting to a very distressing point where people are beginning to notice my behaviour.
Cameron was an extreme of the condition, Im just incrediably annoyed he has been described as "scary." Imagine if that was you, a person with OCD and because you had a mental disorder, you were described as "rather scary then geeky."
I'm glad I'm not the only one who found that comment incredibly offensive.
On a side note, I wish Hollyoaks had someone with a mental health disorder as a long term character and not just as part of a certain storyline. Usually people on soaps "get over it" or leave, so we never get to see people live with it.
Exactly my point! Mental disorders dont just disappear when you go to a doctor and join some band in Europe! They are ongoing and for once it would be nice to see a soap have a long term character suffering a mental health issue as opposed to it seeming like they are just using the issue as a storyline to fill up a few months of Hollyoaks.
There are so many reasons why I think its a brilliant idea, but theres always that little voice in the back of my head that asks; are they really concerned about spreading awareness or is this just another storyline that will be resolved in a few months?
I found it weird how Cameron is basically crippled by his OCD and then awhile later can go off with a band to Europe. I don't have OCD, but I can imagine going away from all your friends and family would be stressful (I've moved to a foreign country)and likely to make it worse. Plus, I didn't think the band were the most understanding bunch!
But it's a way of "resolving" the storyline neatly and getting Cameron out the way, so they don't have to worry about the ongoing characterization of someone with OCD.
Soaps tend to mess it up. I listen to the Archers (my Mum has ingrained this deeply uncool habit onto me) and the treatment of a characters alcoholism and drug addiction makes my blood boil.
Your point is so true! As soon as the storylines done and theyve achieved spreading awareness, its soon resolved and the character leaves rather then plan long term prospects of having a character portraying an issue. The only character in Hollyoaks with an ongoing problem for quite a while is Steph, but there has been little (and I mean VERY little) reference to her epilepsy.
You also need to remember before the whole OCD story, Cameron was depressed and tried to commit suicide that is also a bit weird then they developed the OCD story.
I do think the OCD was a great story that got overlooked because of the Andy story. Both Steph and Cameron were superb throughout that story.
But Cameron tried to commit suicide because of his A levels and the pressure his parents were putting upon him. Funny though, the Hollyoaks writers hadnt planned the OCD storyline back then (as it was a couple of years before the storyline) but sufferers tend to be anxious personalities who try to do their best to please everybody...I can certianly see a resemblence in his case there...
I think the issue that first made Cameron react in an obsessive manner was when Steph had a fit and as she collapsed, she knocked herself, causing her to bleed. He became so anxious that harm would come to her if he didnt fufill his compulsions that he began to turn obsessive.
I certainly agree with you, the OCD storyline was often overlooked, although the Andy/Owens storyline was fantastic and dramatic viewing! Steph and Cameron did a fantastic job portraying the life ruining disorder and I am pleased two characters I liked and two very capable actors were involved in such an important issue.
Would have been nice to see the OCD storyline develop into treatment stages or even for Cameron to stay around but I guess this is TV land and it wouldnt be good for the ratings/audiences if they were to actually maintain an ongoing storyline. Entertainment wise, it was a storyline but for those who have been affected/intrigued by the disorder, it was a little more than that. I guess this is how the bulimia affected people out there shall feel once the Emma Rigby storyline has finished (I guess she will nearly die from the ordeal but make a full recovery only for her to mention being slightly weary of eating every other month.)
Saying that, I do think they are doing a good job portraying Hannah's illness this time round!
Originally posted by Chrissy 2005: You also need to remember before the whole OCD story, Cameron was depressed and tried to commit suicide that is also a bit weird then they developed the OCD story.
I do think the OCD was a great story that got overlooked because of the Andy story. Both Steph and Cameron were superb throughout that story.
