Maybe you’re a fan of John Green’s Crash Course series. Maybe you read all his YA books or were introduced to how his brain works through the podcast and book Anthropocene Reviewed. No matter how you know him, you are happy today. We are finally getting a look at the newest adaptation of his work, the Turtles All the Way Down trailer!

Meet John Green

Nowadays, we have MrBeast using his immense popularity and bank account to perform good deeds around the globe. Back in the early YouTube days, John Green and his brother Hank showed their dedicated community (called “nerdfighters”) how to use your passions to help others. One way the Green brothers do this is through their annual Project For Awesome charity drive.

Along with YouTube, Green had published a number of decently received books, but his runaway hit came via Shakespeare: The Fault in Our Stars.

Turtles All the Way Down

I read Turtles All the Way Down while I was slowly coming to understand the role that anxiety plays in my life. It wasn’t until much later that I sought the help I needed, but until then, I found solace in this book. If anyone could figure out how to express OCD in writing, it is John Green.

The trailer does not disappoint. Directed by Hannah Marks, who is both an esteemed and rising Actor/Writer/Director.

OCD Primer

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, commonly known as OCD, is often portrayed as being extremely germ-phobic. That is one way that it manifests in Aza Holmes, our main character. She also experiences what Green calls “thought spirals” over germs, and it overtakes her focus. But that’s not the only way it can affect someone, and this trailer is a good way to open or continue that dialogue.

Some people’s brains work differently than our own, which causes them to exhibit certain behaviors that we call OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. OCD might cause specific external or internal behaviors. These behaviors cause obsessions, compulsions, or both.

Obsessions are repeated thoughts, urges, or mental images that are intrusive, unwanted, and make most people anxious. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors a person feels the urge to do, often in response to an obsession.

Not all repeated thoughts are obsessions, and not all rituals or habits are compulsions. However, people with OCD generally:

• Can’t control their obsessions or compulsions, even when they know they’re excessive.
• Spend more than 1 hour a day on their obsessions or compulsions.
• Don’t get pleasure from their compulsions but may feel temporary relief from their anxiety.
• Experience significant problems in daily life due to these thoughts or behaviors.” 

The National Institute of Mental Health

What OCD Really Looks Like

Doctor Ali on YouTube is a great resource for clear explanations for almost any age. Take 9 minutes with your child to watch this and open the dialogue about OCD.

Read more: Pixar, Periods, and Puberty: Inside Out 2

Photo/Image Credit: Cindy Marie Jenkins, Canva

Read our Fair Use Disclaimer

Sources:

• Mattu, Ali M., “OCD explained for beginners – how I wish I was taught,” uploaded to Dr. Ali’s YouTube Channel, 5 October 2023, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd.
• What is OCD?” The National Institute of Mental Health, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd.