OCD and Relationships in Young Adult Fiction

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Questions and Answers

Who is the main character?

Allison Britz

How old is Allison?

What grade is Allison in?

She is a sophomore.

Who is Allison's best friend?

Sara, her social climbing (popular) best friend. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Allison's crush?

Sam, they went on an ice cream date once but Allison has not talked to him since. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Allison think she has brain cancer?

She has a dream where the doctors tell her she has a lump in her brain and it is cancer. Signup and view all the answers

What prompts Allison to avoid certain things?

The 'monster' also known as her controller or guidance or savior, later known as 'God'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first major thing Allison avoids?

She starts avoiding cracks in tiles, sidewalks, and more. Signup and view all the answers

What sport does Allison participate in?

Cross country. Signup and view all the answers

What major thing does Allison avoid?

Food; she contradicts what she is going to eat based on how many cracks she steps on. Signup and view all the answers

What does Allison do when she avoids cracks?

She counts out loud. Signup and view all the answers

What happens on her last day of cross country practice?

Allison faints while running from the lack of food she's been eating. Signup and view all the answers

Who starts noticing the strange behavior from Allison?

Her teachers, Sam, her friends; Sara, Jenny, etc., and her parents. Signup and view all the answers

What do her friends decide to do at lunch?

Rebecca and Jenny decide to make a plan to offer her one of her favorite cookies to try to get her to eat. Signup and view all the answers

What happens after they offer her the cookie?

Allison makes a huge scene in the lunchroom. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Allison picks out a sweater to wear one day?

Her 'monster' bans everything in her closet. Signup and view all the answers

What did the 'monster' ban her from doing every morning?

No brushing her teeth, no using a hair dryer, no makeup, no brushing her hair, no towels. Signup and view all the answers

How is Allison's relationship with her mom?

It was very good at the beginning but has now escalated to them not talking and Allison yelling at her. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Allison not tell anyone about what's going on?

Because she knows no one will understand and she thinks seeking help will betray her monster. Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'monster' determine what is banned?

It randomly picks things; things pop into her head and the monster says if she does not ban them, she will get cancer. Signup and view all the answers

What exam does Allison have to fail on purpose?

Chemistry exam. Signup and view all the answers

Was Allison's family religious?

False Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Allison senses her monster is coming?

She hears a buzzing sound and feels a 'ting' in her brain. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Allison's drivers ed teacher?

Mr. Stowe, the highly religious Christian. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the other student in drivers ed with Allison?

Maria. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Allison find her new wardrobe after her closet is banned?

From a drawer with old torn sweatshirts, t-shirts, and sweatpants with holes in them. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first act of justice to getting Allison help?

She calls her mom one day sobbing because she can't find anything to wear. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Allison's psychiatrist?

Dr. Adams, PhD. Signup and view all the answers

In what chapter does Allison open up about having OCD to Dr. Adams?

Chapter 17. Signup and view all the answers

How did Allison self-diagnose herself with OCD?

She was drawn to the pamphlet wall of different diseases in Dr. Adams' reception area. Signup and view all the answers

How did Allison tell Dr. Adams she has OCD?

Allison gave her the 'OCD pamphlet' and stated, 'I think I have this.' Signup and view all the answers

What does OCD stand for?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes OCD?

A disorder characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and/or actions (compulsions). Signup and view all the answers

What are symptoms of OCD?

Obsessions are repetitive, unwelcome streams of thought; compulsions are repetitive, almost irresistible actions. Signup and view all the answers

Does Allison want to take medication?

False Signup and view all the answers

Why does Dr. Adams send her to Dr. Nelson?

Because without medication Dr. Nelson said she won't be able to help Allison. Signup and view all the answers

What does Dr. Nelson specialize in?

Childhood and adolescent OCD and anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Main Character

Allison Britz is a 15-year-old sophomore struggling with OCD.

Relationships

Allison's best friend is Sara, who is social-climbing and popular.
Her crush is Sam; they went on an ice cream date but have not spoken since.

OCD Developments

Allison dreams she has brain cancer, leading her to avoid various things to prevent pain for her loved ones.
The "monster" controls her actions, which she later perceives as "God."
Initial avoidance behavior includes sidestepping cracks on sidewalks and tiles.

Eating Habits

She avoids food, basing her eating decisions on the number of cracks she steps on each day.
Counts out loud while tiptoeing to avoid cracks, showcasing her compulsive behaviors.

Physical Consequences

During cross country practice, Allison faints due to lack of food, disguised as a trip over a stick.

Friends and teachers begin to notice Allison's strange behaviors and lack of eating.
Rebecca and Jenny attempt to help by offering her favorite cookies, prompting a dramatic outburst from Allison.

Control and Restrictions

The monster restricts many aspects of her daily routine, including personal hygiene and clothing choices.
Affects her relationship with her mother, changing from good to strained due to lack of communication.

Seeking Help

Allison is reluctant to seek help, fearing no one will understand and betraying her monster.
She ultimately reaches out to her mother in distress about her wardrobe circumstances, leading to a physician appointment.

Professional Help

Her psychiatrist, Dr. Adams, is introduced in Chapter 17 as she begins to articulate her OCD experiences.
Self-diagnosed through pamphlets about OCD she encountered in the waiting room.
Describes OCD as characterized by obsessions (repetitive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive actions).

Treatment Path

Despite her struggles, Allison adamantly refuses medication initially.
Dr. Adams refers her to Dr. Nelson for specialized help in childhood and adolescent OCD and anxiety.

Additional Insights

Allison's family is not religious, contrasting with her drivers ed teacher, Mr. Stowe, who is described as highly religious.
The monster manifests uniquely, presenting sensations like buzzing and a "ting" in her brain at heightened moments of anxiety.

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Description

Explore the complexities of Allison Britz's life as she navigates her struggles with OCD, friendships, and teenage crushes. This quiz delves into her unique challenges, including her compulsive behaviors and their impact on her social dynamics. Test your understanding of the themes and character development in this young adult narrative.