Mark Grimaldi: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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MP3 Available Here

Marc Grimaldi, one of the pastors of Grace Reformed Baptist Church of Long Island, located in Merrick, NY will address the theme: "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: One Pastor's Struggle With O.C.D."

The television comedy series "Monk" starring very gifted actor Tony Shalhoub is bringing the subject of "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" to the attention of a rapidly growing segment of the population. The USA Network describes the character of Adrian Monk as "a rising star with the San Francisco Police Department, until the tragic murder of his beloved wife, Trudy, left him shattered and wracked with phobias, obsessions and compulsions. His extreme case of obsessive-compulsive disorder cost him his job, and for a time rendered him virtually unable to function...

"With the help of therapy and the support of his loyal friends and devoted personal assistant, Monk's condition has improved, but his many fears – including germs, heights, crowds, and even milk – pose daily challenges for Monk and the people around him...

"Yet despite his condition, Monk remains a brilliant detective. Though his approach to homicide investigation is unconventional, Monk's vast intelligence, gift for crime scene analysis, and legendary powers of observation have earned him a reputation as one of the best detectives in San Francisco, if not the world..."

While our guest today, Marc Grimaldi, joins everyone viewing the program with a hearty laugh over Mr. Shalhoub's very humorous portrayal of a detective with an extreme case of O.C.D., Marc also knows all too well the pain and anguish one can experience when suffering from this disorder, due to the fact that he has personally struggled with it.

Psychology text books define O.C.D. as “a mental disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce anxiety, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety, or by combinations of such thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions).” Most Christian Counselors would agree with that definition but there is debate as to whether or not it is truly a “mental/physical disorder”, a “sin issue” or a combination of both.

Having personally lived with this difficult “thorn” for several years and at various levels of escala tion, Marc believes it is both a “sin issue” and a “physical disorder.” It could be that the “sin issue” which centers upon a proneness toward anxiety and a desire for control causes the “physical disorder” but Marc believes (from firsthand experience) that there are certain physical challenges and/or mental difficulties that those who have O.C.D. are prone to, which makes them more susceptible to failing to deal properly with the normal stresses and anxieties of life that others can often simply blow off. At the least, the “physical element” plays a significant role in escalating the O.C.D. into its severest state (what Marc calls the “vicious cycle”), which he will address during the broadcast.