“We’re a happy family”: Joey Ramone and family burden in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
<b>Introduction:</b> Jeffry Hyman (1951-2001), an introvert boy from Queens, New York City, grew up to become one of the most iconic figures in New York's punk rock scene in the mid-1970s: Joey Ramone. In this study, we explored how Joey and his family coped with his health issues and peculiar behaviors, which were eventually identified as symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). <b>Methods:</b> A narrative review of biographical sources was conducted to explore and infer the impact of Joey's OCD on his close relationships. <b>Results:</b> The onset of OCD and concomitant hoarding behaviors during his teenage years profoundly disrupted family dynamics, leading to considerable burden and generating conflicts. <b>Discussion:</b> Joey Ramone's pathobiography and the impact of his illness on family members and close friends shed light on the intricate relationships between OCD, hoarding disorder, and family accommodation.
Authors
- Leonardo F. Fontenelle (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9075-8226)
- Gabriela B. de Menezes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4117-9767)
- Gustavo A. de-Medeiros (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9542-783X)
Institutions
- Universidade Federal Fluminense (BR)
- D’Or Institute for Research and Education (BR)
- Spectrum Research (United States) (US)
- Monash University (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Medical Biography
- Published
- 2025-08-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/09677720251371367
- Primary Topic
- Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00