“Chasing a Ghost” in Young Adult Literature: Mental Illness in Am I Normal Yet?

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 41 Sayı: 2, 562 - 577, 30.12.2024

Nalan Demir , Mehmet Başak Uysal

https://doi.org/10.32600/huefd.1444662

Öz

The relative lack of attention given to mental health issues compared to physical health problems in society poses a significant barrier to the development of adequate literacy surrounding mental health concerns. Furthermore, the pervasive stigmatization of individuals suffering from these disorders exacerbates the burden they face. In light of the increasing prevalence of mental illnesses and the imperative for timely interventions, the potential of Young Adult Literature depicting mental illnesses to enhance literacy in this realm appears promising. Consequently, it is aimed to examine the representation of obsessive-compulsive disorder in Am I Normal Yet? by the British author Holly Bourne. Initially, the disorders are contextualized within a broader framework, followed by an exploration of their representation within the novel. Subsequently, a thorough analysis is carried out on these representations, with a specific emphasis on how symptoms and treatment alternatives are presented in the narrative. Furthermore, due to the impact of environmental factors on mental health problems, the reactions elicited by these disorders within the storyline are investigated and discussed.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Am I Normal Yet?, Holly Bourne, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mental illness, young adult literature

Destekleyen Kurum

Atatürk University

Proje Numarası

12588

Genç Yetişkin Edebiyatında Hayaletin Peşinde: Am I Normal Yet?’te Ruh Sağlığı Sorunu

Öz

Fiziksel sağlık sorunları kadar dikkat çekmemesi ya da toplum tarafından dışlanma kaygısı, ruh sağlığı sorunları yaşayan kişilerin tedaviye erişiminin önündeki en büyük engel olarak kabul edilmektedir. Pek çok aile ya da genç ne olduğuna dair hiçbir fikri olmadığı bir kaosun içinde yaşayabilmektedir. Öte yandan, bu sorunlara zamanında müdahale etmenin önemi düşünüldüğünde, bu sorunları ele alan Genç Yetişkin Edebiyatının bu alandaki okuryazarlığı artırma potansiyeli umut verici görünmektedir. Bu sebeple, bu çalışmada çağdaş İngiliz yazar Holly Bourne tarafından kaleme alınan Am I Normal Yet? adlı romanda obsesif kompulsif bozukluğunun temsili incelenmiştir. Daha sonra, anlatıda sunulan ruh sağlığı sorunları belirtileri ve bu sorunlara yönelik başvurulan tedavi yöntemleri gerçek hayatla ilişkilendirilerek irdelenmiştir. Ayrıca, çevresel etmenlerin ruh sağlığı sorunlarına yönelik etkisinden dolayı olay örgüsü içerisinde bu sorunlara verilen tepkiler de araştırma konusuna dâhil edilmiştir. Bu bağlamda, eserde obsesif-kompulsif bozukluk belirtileri olarak kirlenme ve hastalanma takıntısına ve bunu önlemeye yönelik aşırı yıkama/yıkanma gibi çeşitli zorlantılara başvurulmaktadır. Faydalanılan tedavi yöntemlerini incelediğimizde, hem psikolojik hem farmakolojik yaklaşımların birlikte kullanıldığını görülmektedir. Son olarak, ruh sağlığı sorunlarına karşı tepkiler incelendiğinde de obsesif-kompulsif bozukluktan mustarip bireyin ailesinin aldıkları terapi neticesinde tutumlarının değiştiği, ancak aynı tutum değişiminin bu bireyin özellikle romantik ilişkilerinde gerçekleşemediği ileri sürülebilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Am I Normal Yet?, Holly Bourne, obsesif kompulsif bozukluk, ruh sağlığı sorunları, genç yetişkin edebiyatı

Destekleyen Kurum

Atatürk Üniversitesi

Proje Numarası

12588

Kaynakça

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