Tuppence Middleton, an actress, claims she has "woken up full upright in the middle of the night" since preparations for her new production began.
The 36-year-old actress, who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), believes "anxiety" is to blame.
Middleton's latest play, The Motive, and the Cue, have her as Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor, against Johnny Flynn as her husband, Richard Burton.
Because of her OCD, the actress is concerned about kissing her co-star.
Many have used the phrase "I'm being a bit OCD" while returning to verify that the front door is secured. However, the reality for persons with obsessive Compulsive Disorder is considerably different and far more complex. OCD is one of the top 10 most debilitating health diseases in the world, according to the World Health Organization.
Sufferers may have worried, intrusive thoughts, such as believing they caused an accident or that family members are contaminated. These are known as 'obsessions,' and they lead to 'compulsions,' which are ritualistic behaviors performed by patients in the expectation of finding relief from their obsessions (such as obsessive washing and cleaning).
OCD, like many medical illnesses, can worsen if left untreated.
Middleton has built a diverse film and television resume, notably in science fiction, including Black Mirror and Sense8, and costume dramas, such as the Downton Abbey films and War & Peace. She was most recently seen in the ITV thriller Our House, but The Motive and the Cue is her first significant stage role. She admits it's "very daunting" playing Elizabeth Taylor, an actress famous for her dramas and professional career, who was married eight times.
