Mad Linguistics: A corpus-based and service-user informed critical discourse analysis of online Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder fora.
Lead Research Organisation:
Lancaster University
Department Name: Linguistics and English Language
Abstract
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that affects approximately 3-4% of
the general population (Krzanowska and Kuleta, 2017). In the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual for Mental Disorders V (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), it is classified as a
compulsive-related disorder characterised by 'unwanted obsessive thoughts', or 'intrusive
thoughts', and repetitive compulsions that alleviate the anxiety felt by sufferers. Research by
Hunt and Brookes (2020) makes a compelling case for triangulating corpus linguistics and
discourse analysis to online fora used by sufferers of mental illnesses to better understand
their lived experiences. Indeed, Friedrich (2015:99) argues OCD is largely misunderstood in
society and that a framework of critical discourse analysis, combined with analysing
computer-mediated communication such as online fora, can help to elucidate common
misconceptions about OCD. There have been previous research around linguistic
constructions of OCD through semi-structured interviews (Knapton, 2018) and discursive
analyses of OCD subtypes (Coimbra-Gomes, 2020). My proposed research is the first
enquiry into existing fora discourses of OCD that will benefit a wider understanding of how
this illness is experienced and constructed by sufferers.
the general population (Krzanowska and Kuleta, 2017). In the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual for Mental Disorders V (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), it is classified as a
compulsive-related disorder characterised by 'unwanted obsessive thoughts', or 'intrusive
thoughts', and repetitive compulsions that alleviate the anxiety felt by sufferers. Research by
Hunt and Brookes (2020) makes a compelling case for triangulating corpus linguistics and
discourse analysis to online fora used by sufferers of mental illnesses to better understand
their lived experiences. Indeed, Friedrich (2015:99) argues OCD is largely misunderstood in
society and that a framework of critical discourse analysis, combined with analysing
computer-mediated communication such as online fora, can help to elucidate common
misconceptions about OCD. There have been previous research around linguistic
constructions of OCD through semi-structured interviews (Knapton, 2018) and discursive
analyses of OCD subtypes (Coimbra-Gomes, 2020). My proposed research is the first
enquiry into existing fora discourses of OCD that will benefit a wider understanding of how
this illness is experienced and constructed by sufferers.
People |
ORCID iD |
Elena Semino (Primary Supervisor) | |
Poppy May Plumb (Student) |
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ES/P000665/1 | 30/09/2017 | 29/09/2027 | |||
2550001 | Studentship | ES/P000665/1 | 30/09/2021 | 28/02/2025 | Poppy May Plumb |