Triggered: A Memoir Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Found this work difficult to appreciate. The first portion, where the author presumes to tell us about OCD, was boring and I had to skip it. When Wortmann starts to talk about his own life, then the narrative becomes interesting. However, he still seems to shy away from revealing the things that curious readers want to know. What, exactly, is going on in that head of his? That I what I wanted to know, and became increasingly frustrated by all of the rest of the stuff I was given instead. The ending I also skipped.He talks about his intrusive thoughts. A few examples would have been great. I mean, without dwelling on them. I'm afraid Wortmann, for his own reasons, veers off into vagueness and abstract thinking instead of revealing all. Another example -- his therapist (one that he liked) would say obscene things, shockingly frank things ... ok, like what? Please give us examples. And please, let the readers find the humour and absurdities for themselves; this does not always have to be pointed out and underlined.Overall, an odd admixture of forced humour and abstract theory that left this reader unsatisfied. The editing as well was a bit sloppy; for example, the word "cache" instead of "cachet". The only part I liked was that this story about OCD- or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder showed a lesser known form (most notably the germ- centered form is the most common and most popular to write about it seems, probably stemmed from the majority of those with OCD having that form)Why didn't I like it? It was incredibly stigmatizing throughout the story. I cannot deny his story. I do not personally know this man. I can say that his tone through the story about wanting to have a reason to be oppressed, and being hypocritical were huge turn-offs.He claimed to never be suicidal, then demanded the reader be less judgemental lest he think about suicide again. Having a personal connection to mental illness, I found his hypocrisy hurtful, and his flippant use of self injury as "emo" also degrading. I could not wholeheartedly connect to him as a reader. His tone berated allies of those with mental illness, and to me allies (supporters who do not have mental illness) are essential in raising awareness and acceptance. He claimed to be better than his doctors and to a point used his OCD as a crutch. "calling it the O-Card" which he would use to get out of chores and even later on, to not complete homework assignments in college. Now, I am not one to deny accommodations, and have needed to use them a few times- however, openly admitting in text that you aren't wanting to use them, and felt that those with legitimate learning disorders would benefit more showcases two problems for me:1. That you think mental illness isn't legitimately disabling (it is at times for certain people)2. That you openly used accommodations because you admitted to being lazy (that is not the point of accommodations)Simply put, his story as a whole felt very childish, lacked personal connection and to be completely honest, I got tired of hearing him complain and then at the same time mock those with mental illness, while claiming to be a sort of martyr for his experience.
What do You think about Triggered: A Memoir Of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (2012)?
Whine. Whine. Whine. You have no right to be happy. Whine. Whine. Whine. The book is too much.
—jasonislove
Putting a fork on the cover was a brilliant idea because this book is seriously over written.
—noah
Tragic, yet somehow funny, look at one person's life living with a difficult form of OCD.
—zeegeees
