An ‘Obsessive Compulsive action figure’ made by Accoutrements in the U.S.A. has been stocked by several Australian retail outlets. The action figure wears white gloves and comes with a surgical mask and a sanitary moist towelette. The packaging lists ‘A day in the life of OC action figure’ including entries such as ‘7.35am brushes teeth, disposes of toothbrush’. There is also a joke checklist for customers to determine if they have OCD.
OCD is often misunderstood and reduced to hyper-cleanliness at the expense of those who live with it.
This product has been stocked by Faboo store, Newslink and Urban Attitude. Newslink has discontinued the line.
StigmaWatch contacted Faboo and Urban Attitude to pass on the views of customers who said the toy mocked and trivialised a mental illness that is often debilitating. StigmaWatch explained that many community members do not welcome this import and encourage Australian retailers to reject it.
