People with OCD see its effects every day, but that doesn't stop them from living successful lives. In Martin Scorsese's film, "The Aviator", a part of Howard Hughes' life is portrayed accurately. Howard Hughes was a filmmaker and an aviator. As a director he has produced films such as "Hell's Angels" and "Scarface". As an aviator he purchased Trans World Airlines, an airline. He set numerous flight speed records and built the world's largest airplane. At one point he was considered the richest man in the world. Hughes did not achieve great things in his life so easily. He has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD. Due to this condition, he had made sure that everything was made perfect and in an organized manner. His condition nearly killed him at one point in his life. As depicted in the film, his condition only worsened later in his life. The Mayo Clinic defines obsessive-compulsive disorder as an anxiety disorder characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). A person with OCD must perform their own rules and rituals to control their anxiety. OCD can cause a person to wash themselves, count, repeat actions, and arrange things in order. All these symptoms are described by Howard Hughes. One of the most common symptoms of OCD described by Howard Hughes is the fear of contamination. In one scene, Howard Hughes was having dinner at a restaurant. One of his friends ate some Hughes peas. Hughes then abandoned the food because he feared germs. In another scene, Hughes refused to go to Houston, Texas due to a cholera epidemic. At a later point in the film, Hughes went to a public restroom... middle of paper......_addiction_i nformation/obsessive_compulsive_disorder/obsessive_compulsive_disorder_information _guide/Pages/ocd_causes.aspx#psychologicalNordqvisy, C. (2013, July 6). "What is obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)? What causes obsessive compulsive behavior?" Medical news today. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/178508.phpOCD-UK. (n.d.). “Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).” Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://www.ocduk.org/ocdNational Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). “Obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD.” Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtmlMayo Clinic. (2010, December 15). “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).” Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/DS00189