Popcorn addresses anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, illustrating symptoms like intrusive thoughts and panic attacks, and highlighting the benefits of therapy and support systems. OCD is “a disorder marked by uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions), repetitive and excessive behaviors (compulsions), or both” (“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).” National Institute of Mental Health, Dec. 2024). As depicted in Popcorn, common obsessions include “[f]ear of germs or contamination,” “[f]ear of losing control over one’s behavior,” and a “[d]esire to have things symmetrical or in perfect order” (“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: When Unwanted Thoughts or Repetitive Behaviors Take Over.” National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). In the novel, Andrew describes the intrusive thoughts that characterize OCD as a “little voice” that tells him that disaster will strike his loved ones unless he engages in compulsive behaviors like tapping his fingers (11). These symptoms often begin in late childhood or young adulthood. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 1.2% of adults in the United States have OCD. Although there is no known cure, the condition can be treated with therapy and medication. For example, Andrew benefits from psychotherapy sessions with Dr. Cain in which he explores the emotions and situations linked to his compulsions.

Anxiety disorders and OCD are often comorbid conditions, meaning that they occur simultaneously in many patients. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) recognizes several anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Andrew exhibits symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, which the DSM-5 defines as “persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about a number of domains in the person’s life” that is “present for at least 6 months” and causes “significant distress and/or impairment in the individual’s functioning” (Mortazavi, A., et al. “Generalized Anxiety Disorder,” American Psychiatric Association, 2014). Common symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. In addition, Anrew’s panic attacks are the defining characteristic of panic disorder, an “anxiety disorder characterized by unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or abdominal distress” (“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: When Unwanted Thoughts or Repetitive Behaviors Take Over.”). The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 2.3% of adolescents have panic disorder and that 4.7% of adults will experience panic disorder at some time in their lives. Some patients respond well to medication, and cognitive behavioral therapy and strong personal support networks also offer valuable help to individuals with anxiety disorders.