So I’d like to announce my latest TV obsession – Vh1’s The OCD Project.

So here’s the deal. The show features 3 (now 2) guys and 3 girls suffering from OCD who come together in a house in Southern California to seek treatment from OCD expert, Dr David Tolin.

There’s Arine who has an intense fear of running people over in her car, triggered by the death of her father in a freak accident years ago; Traci who’s obsessed with death and fears if she doesn’t perform certain rituals – like flicking a light switch multiple times – someone close to her will die; Cody, a teenager whose life is a living hell of rituals, and is now being home schooled because he can’t attend a normal school; Jerry, a sweet big guy who’s terrified he will hurt someone by his actions and thoughts; Kristin, a pretty blonde woman with a history of severe child sexual abuse who has an intense phobia of germs and washes her hands up to 6 hours a day. And then there was Kevin who thought he could hurt people with a certain thought – but that’s just the start – there was a whole lot more wrong with this guy! He was later asked to leave the project.

The remaining five come together under Dr. Tolin’s direction and gradually work to confront their fears and deal with their thoughts. What I really love about the OCD Project is that it’s a very well put together ‘reality’ show, fascinating, educational and surprising.

I’ll be honest when I first heard about the series my instant reaction was that it would be a Celebrity Rehab style shock fest. To be fair I think Rehab started off with good intentions but its success and the high profile of expert Dr Drew (who I can't stand) have somewhat soured the reputation of the show. But The OCD Project doesn’t feel exploitative. And for Vh1 it’s a long, long way from the likes of Flavor of Love and The Surreal Life – it really feels more like an A&E show like Intervention or a Discovery Channel series. The OCD Project is that rare thing in TV – a show that is both entertaining – and smart!

The show’s appeal is how fascinating the patients behaviors are – Cody’s fear of becoming homeless; Kristin’s belief that there are germs everywhere and she can never stay clean and Arine’s driving illusions – she literally has to drive around a block multiple times to check she hasn’t knocked anyone over. Where do these phobias and beliefs come from? Person by person we’re beginning to find out.

All five patients are strong characters, whom you really want to succeed since their disease has literally ruined their lives. Seeing Cody, a seemingly normal teenager lying in bed and not wanting to get up in the morning because he’ll ‘just start doing rituals’ is so sad.

Meanwhile Dr David’s expertise shines through – though the action is for the cameras it doesn’t feel as though he’s overly hamming it up (aside from a gratuitous shoe-licking moment that crops up in every trailer for the show..Yuck!). He pushes his patients – but he doesn’t want them to crack up – a refreshing change from forced meltdowns and screaming experts (hello, Jillian!)

So far the guys are going cold turkey on the ‘rituals’ front and must start confronting their fears. This is the danger zone – where the show could veer into sensationalism and outright fakery. But so far so good! I genuinely don’t know who will be ‘cured’ and by how much – and that element of surprise is a refreshing change in the often predictable world of reality TV.

So if you’re stuck for something to watch this summer - the OCD Project is definitely worth giving a shot. It’s 10 times better than you’re expecting and will really hook you in.

But what do you think? Are you watching The OCD Project – and do you like what you see? I’d love to hear your thoughts.