OCD and the Brain
Making research in OCD more accessible
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the fourth most common psychiatric illness and among the most debilitating. Despite this, it is often neglected and carries much stigma. Working with researchers and a group of individuals with lived experience, we created a digital toolkit and animation that share engaging and evidence-based information about what we currently know about the brain’s role in OCD. The easy to understand animation, coupled with clear information on how OCD alters normal functioning in individuals living with this disorder, the OCD and the Brain project hopes to bring clear, concise information to those affected by OCD.
Led by Dr Tobias Hauser’s research into why OCD mostly emerges during adolescence and how brain development contributes to OCD, the project team have identified that there is a need to reach those who could benefit from neuroscience insights. Over the last 18 months researchers from the Wellcome Centre have worked with a lived experience group to better understand the brain’s role in OCD. By working with, and co-creating neuroscience-informed resources with and for those living with OCD that are relevant to their needs, the project aimes to bridge the knowledge gap that exists between the research and the OCD community.
As the creative partners on the project, we created and facilitated workshops to inform the design, with the outcome being a friendly, open knowledge online hub that brings together scientific research, lived experience and vital resources. Working with the team to visually realise this project and make this research public and accessible has been a privilege for the design studio.
PROJECT SCOPE
Community Research
Workshops
Campaign identity
Art direction
Animation
Website design
Social media content
COLLABORATORS
Plastic Horse
Gareth Jones
Sam Haddad
“Boyle&Perks were absolutely stellar at adjusting to our complex project and at listening to all the diverse voices of our project. They involved all of us from the basic decisions on the design, up to the (re-)adjustments of various bits of the animation to ensure it reflects OCD adequately. They were absolutely professional, patient, understanding, and managed to produce a resource that was exactly what we had hoped for.”
Prof. Dr. Tobias Hauser
Professor of Computational Psychiatry
“OCD affects everyone in its orbit. If you are someone living with the disorder, are a caregiver or loved one of someone who has OCD, you know the profound impact, and often devastation OCD can create. Fortunately, you soon learn that knowledge is power when dealing with this disorder and finding effective treatment. Unfortunately, good information is not always easy to access or understand.
That is why I was thrilled to participate in the OCD and the Brain project with UCL. I share the team's desire to reduce stigma and the misinformation that surrounds the OCD Community. I also offer my sincerest gratitude to the UCL team for their dedication to create a valuable tool that will inform and be shared world-wide.”
Kim Vincenty, Community Gatekeeper on the project
IMPACT
With the website clocking up over 1,000 users within a few days of its launch, the animation and toolkit are providing the clear and concise information needed to help reduce the stigma and misinformation that surrounds OCD.
