Plague of Tics analysis essay
9/13/10
In David Sedaris’ “Plague of Tics” readers learn quickly about Sedaris’ OCD behaviors and how they affect not only himself but also the others around him. I have certain compassion towards Sedaris as I learned through the “Plague of Tics” we shared a connection relating between our views and past events. His family is clearly used to the odd behaviors but rather than being worried they tease him and think the tics are voluntarily practiced. Due to his unique routines annually his teachers make a point to meet with Sedaris’ mother. Every meeting, Mrs. Sedaris offers the teacher’s drinks evolving from scotch to sherry and entertains the teachers with exaggerated stories to lighten the seriousness of his actions. As Sedaris grows older his traditions lengthen such as: touching, counting, rocking, self inflicting pain, rolling his eyes, violently shaking his head, to saying tiny voices. College brought a bitter-sweet change for Sedaris; it became more difficult to make legitimate excuses for his tics, and he no longer could practice them in private. Also, once college started, Sedaris took up the habit of smoking cigarettes which is more “sociably acceptable” and eased his mind about his tics. In the essay “Plague of Tics,” Sedaris’ characteristics and strange OCD behaviors might be difficult for some to understand, yet reminded me much of my own actions.
From this essay, as a person suffering with a smaller case of OCD it was all very familiar. Sedaris’ OCD made him come to a certain compromise with his identity, he felt trapped; as anyone else does with a disability they cannot help. Sedaris was not viewed as normal to the public. I felt sympathetic towards him, not even his family took his disorder seriously. Instead of being supportive his mother was always sarcastic about it and thought he would get out of it soon enough; his father threatened him if he kept doing the rituals. They never understood why he did the things he did and made it seem
In David Sedaris’ “Plague of Tics” readers learn quickly about Sedaris’ OCD behaviors and how they affect not only himself but also the others around him. I have certain compassion towards Sedaris as I learned through the “Plague of Tics” we shared a connection relating between our views and past events. His family is clearly used to the odd behaviors but rather than being worried they tease him and think the tics are voluntarily practiced. Due to his unique routines annually his teachers make a point to meet with Sedaris’ mother. Every meeting, Mrs. Sedaris offers the teacher’s drinks evolving from scotch to sherry and entertains the teachers with exaggerated stories to lighten the seriousness of his actions. As Sedaris grows older his traditions lengthen such as: touching, counting, rocking, self inflicting pain, rolling his eyes, violently shaking his head, to saying tiny voices. College brought a bitter-sweet change for Sedaris; it became more difficult to make legitimate excuses for his tics, and he no longer could practice them in private. Also, once college started, Sedaris took up the habit of smoking cigarettes which is more “sociably acceptable” and eased his mind about his tics. In the essay “Plague of Tics,” Sedaris’ characteristics and strange OCD behaviors might be difficult for some to understand, yet reminded me much of my own actions.
From this essay, as a person suffering with a smaller case of OCD it was all very familiar. Sedaris’ OCD made him come to a certain compromise with his identity, he felt trapped; as anyone else does with a disability they cannot help. Sedaris was not viewed as normal to the public. I felt sympathetic towards him, not even his family took his disorder seriously. Instead of being supportive his mother was always sarcastic about it and thought he would get out of it soon enough; his father threatened him if he kept doing the rituals. They never understood why he did the things he did and made it seem