Product Description
Freedom from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder reveals Dr. Jonathan Grayson's revolutionary program to help sufferers make sense of their own compulsions through frank, unflinching self-evaluation-providing the tools, instructions, and knowledge for changing their cycles of overwhelming fear and endless rituals, as well as the courage to do it.

This indispensable book includes:

- Self-assessment tests that guide readers in identifying their specific type of OCD and help track their progress in treatment
- Case studies from Dr. Grayson's revolutionary and profoundly successful treatment program
- Blueprints for programs tailored to particular manifestations of OCD
- Therapy scripts to help individuals develop their own therapeutic voice, to motivate themselves to succeed
- "Trigger sheets" for identifying and planning for obstacles that arise in treatment
- Information on building a support group ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Continuing to suffer.
I've struggled with OCD my whole life. I heard about this book from a friend who swears it has helped her turn her life around. She got me a copy for my birthday and I eagerly awaited diving in and taking steps to help myself. Unfortunately, this book contains 320 pages, which isn't divisible by three so I am absolutely never going to read it. I stored it in my kitchen in the pile of everything I have ever owned so I won't die. All this considered, I have to give the book 3 stars. I mean literally, I HAVE to give it 3 stars.

A Guide to Treating Your OCD
First, a disclaimer: neither I nor anyone close to me suffers from OCD. If the author made basic mistakes or overlooked certain truths about OCD, I probably would not know it. That being said, the author sure seems knowledgeable to me.

This book is clearly designed to help OCD suffers treat themselves, as opposed to explaining the disorder to those of us who are less familiar with the disorder. Nevertheless, the book is still interesting enough for a general audience, as it does describe in some detail what it is like to suffer from OCD.

The suggested treatment seems well-thought out, even if it is not particularly complicated or particularly easy to follow. In fact, the author makes it clear from the outset that he is not offering a simple treatment, like taking an antibiotic for an infection. Rather, the OCD sufferer must simply get used to whatever it is that bothers him. Now that is a vast oversimplification, and the author has put much more thought into it than just saying, "Deal with it." In the end, however, the OCD suffer must apparently, if gradually, learn to deal with whatever was bothering him.

If I had OCD, however, I would certainly give this book's treatment a try.

one of the best
As a therapist treating mostly adults with OCD, I have found this book the most comprehensive of all of them. It gets at the fundamental flaw of OCD thinking which is the intolerance of uncertainty. Explains things very thoroughly,and his reasoning can be applied to just about all forms of the disease.

informative
I have not read this book yet but I know I will learn alot just from skimming through it.It came in beautiful shape and very timely.

This book really makes a lot of sense
Dr. Grayson takes an interesting approach to the treatment of OCD. Practitioners of meditation will recognize the similarity to that discipline. ... Read more

Product Description
Arguably one of the most complex emotional disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is surprisingly common. Furthermore, most people at some time in their lives exhibit a smattering of OCD-like symptoms.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder For Dummies sorts out the otherwise curious and confusing world of obsessive compulsive disorder. Engaging and comprehensive, it explains the causes of OCD and describes the rainbow of OCD symptoms. The book shows readers whether OCD symptoms represent normal and trivial concerns (for example, a neat freak) or something that should be checked out by a mental health professional (for example, needing to wash hands so often that they become raw and red). In easy to understand steps, the authors lay out the latest treatments that have been proven to work for this disorder, and provide practical and real tools for living well long-term. Whether you or someone you care about has this disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder For Dummies gives you an empathic understanding of this fascinating yet treatable mental disorder. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A life line for the obsessive-compulsive and associates
As a therapist and a somewhat obsessive-compulsive type myself, I started out wondering what this book could teach me, and, better yet, what it could offer my OCD clients. I ended up mesmerized by each chapter!What a wealth of knowledge the authors have put together.The book is humorously written and very thorough in its description of OCD and related disorders.However, the most rewarding part of the book is the "nuts and bolts" description of treating OCD. So often books go into all the nuances of a problem without actually providing treatmentsolutions.Drs Smith and Elliott are masterful in their presentation of cutting-edge treatments.Both patients and therapists will enjoy this book and find it extremely helpful in handling OCD.

Top-notch treatment of a complex subject
Drs. Smith and Elliott have taken a complex topic and intelligently broken it down into understandable segments.Not only do they explain this often debilitating disorder in an easy-to-follow (and often funny) fashion, but they offer hope to those afflicted with OCD.I recommend this book to both patients and providers.It is top-notch!

Absolutely the Best!
I have read several books about OCD and this one really stands out. I did not appreciate the rich array of facets that OCD comes in. The book clearly explains the diagnosis of OCD and illustrates how it is both similar to and different form other disorders. After reading the book, I also realized that almost everyone shows a few signs of OCD like behavior from time to time. Finally, the coverage of treatment approaches for OCD was surprisingly detailed and comprehensive, yet extremely easy to understand. I highly recommend this book!

A must read
This book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the behaviors and the treatments of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The authors, Dr. Charles Elliott and Dr. Laura Smith, have a delightful and clearly understandable style of writing. I will certainly recommend this book to my patients that live in anyway with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Esther D.Davis, PhD

Smart book
OCD for Dummies is a comprehensive compilation of the many facets of this debilitating disorder. The authors covered a lot of ground with excellent organization as well as humor. One of my favorite sections is the differential diagnoses called the 'relatives and associates of OCD'. The cheat sheets are easy to use and understand. ... Read more

Product Description
"Anyone in need of profoundly useful information and expert practical advice on how to help a child afflicted with obsessive-compulsive behaviors would be wise to delve deeply in the pages of this book. Dr. Chansky has accomplished a tour de force, which is certain to offer much-needed assistance both to children with OCD-related problems and to their families." -- Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D., Author of Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior and A Return of Innocence

"A comprehensive resource no parent of a child with OCD should be without. Dr. Chansky's experience as founder and director of the Children's Center for OCD and Anxiety shines through every page."--Bruce M. Hyman, Ph.D., and Cherry Pedrick, R.N. Authors of The OCD Workbook

"Dr. Chansky vividly describes this puzzling and mysterious illness, which can devastate children and entire families. After reading this book, parents of a child with OCD will be armed with the information they need to get their child well as soon as possible."-- Michael A. Jenike, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Chairman, OC Foundation Scientific Advisory Board

"It should be a law that whenever a therapist diagnoses a child with OCD, he or she has to give the parents a copy of Chansky's Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder."-- Patricia Perkins-Doyle, President, Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation

"If you have a child with OCD, or are in any way interested in how to help a person handle this beguiling condition, then Tamar Chansky's book is a must. You will find on these pages the rare combination of hard-earned knowledge, gracefully presented... all interested in how to practically apply what we have learned lately about the mind and the brain will love what they find in this wonderfully rich yet concise exposition."-- Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of Connect, Worry, and Driven to Distraction ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Must read if you know someone with OCD
I'm a special educator that works with children in their homes. Some of my children have OCD and this book helped me understand them better and provide support to their parents. It's a comprehensive book!!

Not so helpful for non-specialists
Not so friendly to the non-specialist reader, as it was very "medical" rather than written in a way for everyone to understand. More theoretical and loosely structured rather that practical. Seems to have accurate - but probably too much for a beginner - scientific information, though not in a way to be used directly to the reader's benefit. Layout a little tiring for the eye. Maybe more useful to someone who is deeply involved in the study of OCD, e.g. therapist.

EXCELLENT
This book is a must have for any parent that has a child with OCD.
It is an excellent resource and Ihighly recommend it.

Excellent help pts with OCD
This book is excellent.Simple and clear; help parents, kids, adolescents and young people with OCD.

The BEST book on OCD ever!
I have never written a book review before, but I HAD to write one on this one. I read A LOT-this is the BEST book on overcoming OCD there is. My son was diagnosed in 7th grade-he had the worst of the worst, textbook, what you see on the talkshows OCD. I thought I'd lost my son! With the help of medication SSRIs and "Cognative Behavioral Therapy-specifically ERT" (va tech child study center thank you!) I got my son back--it took a year but he became symptom free. then a couple of years later it was back with a vengence for no reason. A counsellor recommended this book and I was able to become his "CBT" cheerleader, therapist whatever u want ot call it. He went from the worst of the worst again to symptom free again-this time in a couple of weeks! If you are a parent, spouse, or person with OCD, get this book-read it with a highlighter in hand, don't give up-get help, pray A LOT! IT WILL GET BETTER! ... Read more

Product Description
While on vacation, Raymond incessantly checked the carpets of Disney World looking for poison he had seen spilled there--in his mind.... Sherry was terrified of her thoughts about stabbing her baby daughter.... Jeff couldn't silence a mental voice urging him to have sex with men and animals....

Howard Hughes had it. So did historical figures Martin Luther and Ignatius of Loyola. They all suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)--as do over five million Americans who need to know that there is now hope and help. Ian Osborn, M.D., a specialist in OCD and a sufferer himself, has written the first comprehensive book on the experience, diagnosis, and treatment of OCD. He reveals recent discoveries about the disease as a biological disorder--a physical, not a psychological abnormality--and the exciting new therapies that have dramatically changed the future for OCD sufferers.

His wise, compassionate book includes:

Pencil-and-paper tests for self-diagnosis
Six steps to conquering OCD
Medication that works
Early signs that show OCD in children
Guidelines for family members
A comprehensive listing of where to find organizations and support groups--and more
... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

OCD...
This book helped me to feel like I was not alone in the crazy exhaustion of OCD, but I'm still disappointed that no OCD book yet has touched on the true cause of OCD...'dirty electricity' in the environment (power lines, FM radio, radar, etc...) My OCD erupted early in 1986, and it worsened every year thereafter, right along with the growth of artificial electromagnetic radiation and radiowaves in the environment. It grew into a monster with a life of its own in the 1990's when cell phone and wifi towers and antennas began popping up on every corner and in every neighborhood, including my own, growing to such an extreme that I now live in clutter because my cleaning and ordering rituals are just way too involved and energy-draining anymore. I'm realizing now that my OCD involves short term memory problems, too, or more accurately, 'believing my memory' problems. Read the book if you have OCD. But make sure you look into the NON-thermal biological effects of chronic exposure to artificial electromagnetic radiation. Two-time Nobel prize nominee, Dr. Robert O. Becker's 'Cross Currents' and 'The Body Electric', and B. Blake Levitt's 'Cell Towers - Wireless Convenience? or Environmental Hazard?' are better choices, in my opinion, and will help you understand how EMF exposures may be triggering your OCD by affecting your brain.

OCD is just an exaggerated 'nesting' ritual triggered by man-made EMFs. Birds build nests. I wash my hands while scrubbing, cleaning, and ordering my house ('nest') until my skin is raw and my hands are bloodied...think about it...

If you think you or someone you know might have OCD, I highly recommend this book.
If you are looking for a book on OCD that goes way above and beoynd to provide real-life stories of those suffering with OCD, this is the book for you.

For many years I was misdiagnosed and misinformed on the subject of OCD.Although I had many OCD symptoms, doctors attributed my symptoms to depression.This book gave me the information needed to get properly diagnosed and treated for OCD.

Threatening Vulnerable Catholics with Damnation
This book is a classic educational tool for priests in confessionals and all RC teachers of religion that only HARM is done by portraying God as waiting like a Vulture to pounce on every Catholic with OCD and tell him/her that a single thought is enough to guarantee Everlasting Damnation to Hell.There is no God like that.

No real solutions
This book focuses on symptoms and not solutions. If you want real solutions, buy Jonathan Grayson's book called "Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder." That is the best book on OCD I have ever read.

I love this book
This book is fabulously informative and written in such a kind manner, you'd want the author for your own therapist.It is especially good for those who have just realized they have OCD. ... Read more

Product Description
** The only OCD book with a companion book for children** Up and Down the Worry Hill, ISBN 0967734703.

Does your child have uncontrollable worries and senseless rituals? Do you feel helpless and frustrated as you struggle to understand and help your child stop the bizarre doubts and habits that take over his mind and his life? Your child may be one of millions of children suffering from OCD. Now, there is hope and help for your child.

Dr. Aureen Wagner brings you the latest scientific advances in the treatment of this beguiling disorder, along with her many years of experience in treating children and teenagers. Using the metaphor of the Worry Hill, for which she has received international recognition, Dr. Wagner presents a powerful step-by-step approach that countless children have used successfully to regain control from OCD. She provides parents and children with the blueprint to take charge of and master OCD. Her skill, compassion and expert guidance will give you new hope, energy and resolve to conquer OCD.

Part I (Chapters 1-6) covers the essential facts about OCD, its diagnosis, causes and treatments. Knowing the facts is the first step to mastery of OCD. In Part I, Dr. Wagner discusses the various ways in which OCD can invade your child's thoughts and behaviors and how to tell normal fears and habits apart from OCD and other conditions. You will learn about the Vicious Cycle of Avoidance that fuels OCD and about treatment with Exposure and Ritual Prevention (ERP). You will learn about medication options available today for OCD and when it may be appropriate to consider them for your child.

In Part II (Chapters 7-14), Dr. Wagner lays out the master plan and a child-friendly approach to helping your child overcome OCD. Dr. Wagner presents a series of steps that will help you systematically tackle OCD. You will learn how to take charge of your lives, take back control from OCD and take care of yourself so that you can take better care of your child. You will also find strategies for the unique parenting challenges that OCD brings and an approach to helping your child through schooling issues. Each chapter ends with answers to Frequently-Asked Questions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

A great book for parents of children with OCD
Very user friendly book for the non specialist parent. Answers all possible questions. Well structured, eye-friendly layout, simple language easy to understand and use to help your child. You really understand nature of illness and ways to help. I absolutely recommend it to everyone in need, even for those that English is not a native language, like me.

Extremely helpful
It is a step by step. easy to follow guide for any parent trying to help themselves and their child.

Very good for a confused parent
I bought this book along with "Up and Down the Worry Hill" and it was very useful, especially as I knew very little about OCD.I would recommend it, especially the part about OCD and School.

The Most Complete Guides for Parents
If your child has OCD, make sure you invest in this book. I purchased several books and this one is hands-down the best no matter what your child's obsessions/compulsions or what stage you are at from first recognizing the disorder to going through the therapy.

As other reviewers have noted, it is easy to read and understand. It is also very complete and includes obsessions/compulsions not covered in other books I have read. It answers questions like "normal vs. OCD: What's the difference" - an important thing for parents to be able to recognize when their child is being themselves and when the OCD monster is affecting them. It also tells you what to expect in the first evaluation, how to navigate CBT (cognitive behavior therapy), and info on medications.
Another very helpful aspect is the school section (I even took the book with me to the teacher conference). It outlines what you should and should not share with the school/teacher and how to approach the whole subject without having your child labeled. It has "Red Flags for OCD in School"- a great thing to share with the teacher. And how to form a partnership with the school to best benefit your child.

All in all, a great and helpful book.

What to do . . .
This book is very easy to read.It is very comprehensive.It is very informative.It is objective.It is my constant companion lately.My son's therapist admitted that I know much more about OCD than she does and is now reading the book. ... Read more

Product Description
The client manual to a 14-session treatment. Techniques include imagined exposure, in vivo exposure, response prevention, and avoidance reduction.Effective protocols save time, increase the probability of obtaining good results, make it easier to train and supervise new therapists, and satisfy the needs of third parties to know that the proposed treatment follows the best available practices. Protocols are consistently formatted and organized; a detailed session-by-session treatment program that includes worksheets, homework assignments, in-session treatment exercises, and didactic material; specific assessment measuresóboth for the target disorder and for the overall treatment program; a treatment plan summary for managed care requirements. This protocol outlines a fourteen-session treatment for individual adults diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. This protocol is based on imagined exposure, in vivo exposure, response prevention, and avoidance reduction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent treatment manual for a therapist
I'm currently a doctoral student in a clinical psychology program and had the opportunity to use this manual with one of my clients. It provides an excellent Psychoeducation section with clear rationale for treatment. A simple and clear treatment guideline is described and sufficient examples are provided. Handouts are good and further drive-in the rationale for treatment. Treatment is essentially Exposure and Relapse Prevention with a primarily behavioral slant, but there is a well-developed cognitive component as well. Homework forms are useful, informative, and easy for the client to follow.

My one complaint is that relevant research literature is not cited, or noted for further information. Most people looking at this manual probably already have that information anyway though.

... Read more

Product Description
A complex illness that is often difficult to identify, OCD affects approximately 6 million to 9 million Americans. In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Demystified, clinical psychologist and OCD specialist Cheryl Carmin offers an enlightening and useful guide for anyone with OCD, their families, and friends. In clear and compassionate language, Dr. Carmin helps those who suffer from the illness understand the true nature of OCD, the factors that complicate its diagnosis, and the benefits of treatment through cognitive behavior therapy and/or medication. With insight and anecdotes from an OCD patient-advocate, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Demystified makes great strides in dispelling the mystery surrounding this condition, helping readers decide if it's time to seek treatment and providing those with this anxiety disorder the information they need to better manage their lives. ... Read more

Product Description
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a relatively common psychological problem. The symptoms--which can be seriously disabling in extreme cases--can include excessive hand-washing or other cleaning rituals, repeating checking, extreme slowness, and unwanted, repugnant intrusive thoughts.

This book covers the nature, symptoms, causes, and theories of OCD. It discusses the treatments that are available and provides valuable practical advice to those who may need help. Numerous case histories are given throughout the book, highlighting various aspects of the disorder and its treatment. There are in-depth sections on scrupulosity, culture and OCD, mental pollution, OCD in children, and on the similarities and differences between childhood OCD and an autistic disorder.

This fourth edition has been updated with succinct explanations of recent research, information on treatment advances, and the recent expansion of treatment services for anxiety disorders, including OCD, in the NHS. Stanley Rachman gives a clear account of the nature of obsessive-compulsive problems, which are useful for sufferers and their families, as well as general readers interested in finding out more about the disorder. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

The least that it will do is enlighten you to the disorder.
After reading this book, there are two points that I would like to raise before I give you my overall opinion, so bare with me.

Structure: The structure of the book is not the best and at times may confuse an individual using it to overcome their Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. You have to keep referring to the appendix which is a section that probably amounts to one third of the book. You may need to read a few of the chapters twice before you get the understanding that you will need.

Spelling and grammar: There were problems with spelling and grammar throughout the book, which were annoying but didn't really create a massive problem.

My overall thoughts on this book is that it is an excellent resource for OCD sufferers and therapists alike. It is very rich with 'real' help and advice that is reasonably easy to implement. If you suffer from OCD or are a therapist that helps others with OCD then you really should make a commitment to yourself to read this book. The least that it will do is enlighten you to the disorder.

Warmly,

Richard MacKenzie
Author of Self-Change Hypnosis ... Read more

Product Description
For the more than 2 million Americans with obsessive-compulsive disorder, the intrusive thoughts and uncontrollable behaviors can take a harsh toll, as author Jared Douglas Kant knows all too well. Diagnosed with OCD at age 11, Jared became ruled by dread of deadly germs and diseases, the unrelenting need to count and check things, and a persistent, nagging doubt that overshadowed his life.

In The Thought that Counts, Jared shares his deeply personal account of trial, tribulation, and ultimately triumph. Using anecdotes, narratives and sidebars, this book adds a human face to a complex disorder. Jared's funny, often touching, sometimes harrowing tale makes for compelling reading. Yet his memoir is only half the story. With the help of psychologist Martin Franklin, Ph.D., and veteran science writer Linda Wasmer Andrews, Jared paints the big picture for other teens with OCD. Drawing on the latest scientific and medical evidence, he explains how to recognize warning signs, where to find help, and what treatments have proved effective. Jared also offers practical suggestions on managing the symptoms of OCD at home, at school, and in relationships with family and friends. The result is both an absorbing memoir and a useful guide that will help to ease the isolation caused by OCD, assuring anyone recently diagnosed with the disease that, with commitment and hard work, they can overcome this illness.

Part of the Adolescent Mental Health Initiative series of books written specifically for teens and young adults, this volume offers hope to young people who are struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder, helping them to overcome the challenges of this illness and go on to lead healthy, productive lives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Terrific Book about OCD and Adolescence
Jared Kant's powerful, candid account of growing up with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is riveting, sometimes heartbreaking, and at times laugh-out-loud funny. Adolescents struggling with OCD will find compassion and encouragement here, as well as practical, accurate information about how to get better with the right kind of treatment. An excellent book for teachers, parents, professionals - for anyone who wants to understand this potentially devastating but treatable neurobiological disorder. ... Read more

Product Description
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a relentless condition, the primary symptom being the occurrence of terrifying ideas, images, and urges that jump into a person's mind and return again and again, despite the individual's attempt to remove them. Christians who suffer from OCD may grapple with additional guilt, as the undesired thoughts are frequently of a spiritual nature. Yet people may be surprised to learn that some of the greatest leaders in Christian history also struggled with this malady. What did they experience? How did they cope? Were they able to overcome these tormenting, often violent, obsessions? Where did God fit into the picture?Ian Osborn shares the personal accounts of Martin Luther, John Bunyan, and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, as well as his own story, in exploring how faith and science work together to address this complex issue. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Wonderful book
This is the very first and perhaps only product review I have and ever will do on Amazon.This book was TREMENDOUSLY helpful.It taught me things about myself that I didn't even know, along with techniques to help understand how to deal with OCD.The stories of other Christians (famous ones) who had the same problem made me feel a lot less alone.I have learned a tremendous amount from this book that I can apply in my daily living and after reading this book I have noticed improvements immediately.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.If you're looking for help with OCD from a Christian perspective, incorporating therapy with our God, then I highly recommend you purchase this book.

Blessings, good luck, and best regards.

Very Therapeutic!
As a sufferer of OCD since I was a child, I have often been confused, mis-diagnosed and often hopeless of every feeling "normal". Reading about such remarakble Christian figures who now are believed to have suffered from OCD was a very therapeutic experience. This book also taught me a lot about the disorder, history and treatment options. I would recommend this for any person (mostly Christian) who has OCD and their loved ones. I especially recommend it for suffers who experience religious obsessions.

Thank God for this book!
I have been searching for a good book to address where faith and mental illness intersect for a long time.I wish I'd known about this book a long time ago.It is an easy read, very insightful and informative.I couldn't put it down!

An Intelligent Look at Psychiatry and Faith
The title seems simplistic to me, but a friend recommended this book.I am glad I got past the title. Osborn does an excellent job of integrating his knowledge as a physician and his Christian faith. He is well regarded professionally and has personal experience of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

There are sections of the book where Osborn explores the role of faith in helping Martin Luther, John Bunyan, and Therese of Lisieux.Of course, all three lived before the diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder was developed.However, Osborn provides convincing evidence that they were sufferers who eventually found great comfort in coming to a deeper knowledge of God, particularly God's grace and Jesus' sacrifice for us.

I particularly appreciate how Osborn holds forth cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, and spiritual growth as all having merit.He does not try to play off one against another.

I have suffered from OCD for decades, but have benefited greatly from medication.Nonetheless, I was very glad I read this book.

Integrating faith and treatment
This book should be really helpful for anyone trying to integrate their faith with their treatment plans for OCD. The review of the three lives of Luther, Bunyan, and Therese are well done and demonstrate how difficult and painful OCD was for them.The summary of their answers to this challenge long before psychiatry posed solutions is solid and helpful.The recommended steps in the final chapters can really help individuals integrate their faith with solid treatment principles. ... Read more

Product Description
This program has at its foundation the use of ritual prevention and prolonged actual and imaginable exposure exercises. Therapists will learn the best methods for assessing OCD and formulating a treatment program tailored to their client's particular OCD symptoms. Sample lists of exposure items are provided for fear of contamination, fear of supernatural harm, and fear of causing harm to self and others by acts of negligence.

This Therapist Guide is designed to help psychotherapists in assessing and treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).It is divided into three sections.In the first section, a summary of the symptoms of OCD and methods for assessing the disorder are presented.In the second section, the relative efficacy of the available treatments and how to arrive at treatment recommendations for individuals with OCD who seek treatment are discussed.In the third section, a guide to cognitive-behavioral treatment by exposure and ritual prevention is provided.Also in this section, the components of the treatment procedures whose efficacy has been experimentally documents are described and illustrated, as well as those aspects of their practical application that inhabit experimentally uncharted territory of clinical wisdom and artistry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Mastery of OCD: An Indispensable Treatment Manual
Over two decades of basic and applied research, Kozak and Foa have established themselves as two of the world's leading authorities on OCD and other anxiety disorders.This book represents the accumulation of years of scientific data and clinical experience and is a "must-have" for clinicians working with OCD patients.

The primary strength of the manual is its concise, no-nonsense description of exposure and ritual prevention (EX/RP), a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy with proven efficacy.Kozak and Foa take the reader through a session-by-session account of EX/RP.Treatment planning, descriptions of exposure exercises, and relapse prevention are all described in terms that even non-behavioral therapists can understand.In addition, common obstacles to succesful therapy are discussed, along with potential solutions.

The concise nature of the manual is also its primary limitation. Therapists seeking a detailed understanding of the biological, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of OCD will probably be disappointed.Similarly, alternative treatment strategies such as pharmacotherapy and cognitive therapy are not described in much detail.However, if you are seeking a "bible" of EX/RP, presented clearly and concisely, this book will certainly be a vital resource. ... Read more

Product Description
This book helps teens with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder better understand the disease, so that they may become more comfortable with it. This book also explains different forms of OCD, related disorders, and treatment options. ... Read more

Product Description

The revealing story of one man's struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and his hard-won recovery

Nagging doubt: It's a part of everyday life. Who hasn't doubled back to check on a door or appliance? But what if one check wasn't enough? Nor two or three? And what if nagging doubt grew so intense that physical senses became all but useless? Such was the case for Jeff Bell, a husband, father, and highly successful radio news anchor—and one of the millions of Americans living with obsessive-compulsived disorder (OCD). Bell's frank and forthright memoir recounts the depths to which this debilitating anxiety disorder reduced him—to driving his car in continuous circles, scouring his hands in scalding water, and endlessly rewinding, replaying, and repeating in his head even the most mundane daily experiences. Readers will learn what OCD feels like from the inside, and how healing from such a devastating condition is possible through therapy, determination, and the support of loved ones.

Customer Reviews (21)

painful
A family member has OCD and I remembered hearing this guy on I think Laura Ingram show so I bought the book.The first few chapters are downright painful to read but it really shows you what goes on in someone who has OCD's mind.Some funny parts (might be funnier if I wasnt living with this) but does shed light on this and gives hope.

great perspective
It seemed to have a slightly slow start, but this was a great book, a real page-turner.I found myself wanting to pick it back up every time I had to put it down.It's very clear on what an OCD person thinks and must go through, but it's not over-exhaustive and depressing.I read other books on OCD and was afraid this would just seem like a repeat, but this is a good one.You may also be interested in "the boy who couldn't stop washing" it gives a variety of perspectives, but this one really goes into how troublesome recovery can be for a person dealing with it, while that "...boy who couldn't stop..." lacks that insight only telling you that medicine and behavioral therapy can sometimes help.

A real page turner
This is a real page turner, no joke. Jeff Bell is an amazing writer. He takes you through his wild ride of the mental anguish he experienced caused by OCD. It gave me real insight and compassion for what a person with OCD experiences from inside their tormented heads.
He enlightened me to the understanding that this is a chemical disorder, and the treatments
available for it. Thanks to Mr. Bell.
Anyone who has a loved one with OCD should read this book.

Both fascinating and frustrating memoir of one man's struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
To most people, Jeff Bell, a popular radio personality, appears confident and successful, but in reality, Jeff's world is filled with doubt--or, as Bell comes to think of it, "Doubt" with a capital D.Bell suffers from severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a potentially debilitating form of mental illness.As the title of the book suggests, Bell's OCD manifests mainly in the form of repetitive behaviors--such as checking the same thing over and over and over again...and again.Bell continues the tape metaphor throughout his book, using the "rewind" button to begin his story with his earliest memory of obsessive-like thinking at age seven or eight.He then fast-forwards through his "normal" years of adolescence, high school, and college, coming to a stop at the time of early marriage/young fatherhood, when a seemingly minor incident serves to rekindle his obsessional tendencies, setting him off into a devastating downward spiral.Over the course of the next year, Bell continues to decompensate as his obsessions expand and his compulsive behaviors increase.

Bell eventually enters treatment with a cognitive behavior therapist, and using a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication---a treatment option which Bell had been very reluctant to pursue---Bell does make significant progress.In fact, he is feeling so well that he undergoes a major job change, moves with his family to another city, and goes off his medication, believing he is done with OCD for good.As one might expect, the latter turns out not to be the case, and Bell finds that his symptoms return with a vengeance.Although he does resume work with his CBT therapist, he comes to realize a need to develop a more comprehensive, personalized approach to his own recovery.In the book's Epilogue, which takes place seven years after the conclusion of Bell's self-help project, Bell admits that he will always have OCD, but for the most part, he has reached a point where he is the one controlling his life, not the disorder of Doubt.

Overall, this book provides a fascinating portrait of OCD.As a psychologist, I found it particularly intriguing to view this disorder from the patient's perspective, although I sometimes found myself frustrated by Bell's resistance to treatment.Still, I eagerly devoured Bell's captivating story and quickly made my way through this entire book.Rewind, Replay, Repeat would be particularly appropriate for those suffering from OCD, as it would provide both kinship and comfort, but I would highly recommend this mesmerizing book to anyone who is curious about this disorder.

I enjoyed this book very much
This was a very well written book. It gives good insight into the struggles that those with OCD deal with daily. ... Read more

Product Description
Running fifteen miles a day without being in training . . . taking two-hour showers and constantly changing clothes . . . working twelve hours a day, six days a week . . . these are obsessive-compulsive disorders. Now a world-renowned psychotherapist explains what they are, how they come about, and what can be done about them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

review of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
The author of this book clearly does not understand the basis concepts of OCDs.It is troubling that someone with such little knowledge would publish a book on a very important topic.The premise that OCDs have stemmed from something other than a chemical imbalance is ridiculous and untrue.This book should not have been published nor read by anyone with OCDs.

Don't read if you're looking for actual info on OCD
As an OCD sufferer and someone well-versed on the subject, I know that Levenkron's claim that underparenting causes OCD is absolutely ludicrous. I hope no unsuspecting readers pick this up as their first introduction to the subject and actually believes this. OCD is a biological and chemical brain disorder. While underparenting certainly may cause problems, it doesn't cause OCD. More helpful, suggested authors: Ian Osborn, Jenike, Penzel

Good for both treatment and understanding ....
Wish I had found this book years ago.

It has been of immense value to our family, and, thankfully, put us on the road to full recovery.

For those determined to be problem SOLVERS, this is one of the best medical-related books you could ever buy.

Highly recommended!

Understand the full picture of OCD
This book has not only helped me to understand my own disorder but to also try to overcome it. I can see how parents find this book offensive but really they read the book as a parent not as a caring person trying to understand. Yes a chemical imbalance can help to have caused OCD but underparenting can also play a big role. It frustrates me to hear parents say they had nothing to do with their child's disorder because right now i'm struggling with my parents because they still blame me for the things i had to go through and are still trying to change all I am even the part of me that is not controlled by my disorder rather than try to change themselves as well which has only made matters worse. Yes it may hurt a parent to hear they had a part in their child's disorder but it also hurts the child to be blamed for something they don't really understand themselves. But once you can see that you must change as well you can greatly help your child and make them feel loved rather than blamed. Steven Levenkron's books have gotten me through so much, he not only helped me understand my self-mutilation and help me through the recovery process in the book cutting but has also stopped my anorexia before i had severe medical problems, this book on OCD has helped me have a greater understanding of what i'm going through because none of my counselors or even during my hospitalization did anyone bother to look at the full picture and explain to me what's going on. I strongly advice you to read this book, it can open your eyes and help you see the full picture.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders: Treating and Understanding
As someone who has suffered from OCD and eating disorders, and who has also lived with someone who had OCD, I found this book to be very valuable. I can see where parents might take offense in cases where there is a strong biochemical predisposition. But the reality is that much of what Levenkron says about children who have had to play the role of the parent (underparenting) is completely true. The repetive behaviors and thoughts help to create a structure and order to the world that we did not experience as children. That is not to say that his theory is an exclusive explanation of this disorder. It will apply or be "true" for some cases and not for others. It is definitely worth considering, especially if you are somone afflicted with this disorder to any degree. And remember, people thought Levenkron was way off with his nuturant-authoritative approach described in his ground breaking book, Treating and Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa, and now it is practically a classic. ... Read more

Product Description
Previously considered a rare mental condition, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) now appears to be a hidden epidemic with over 6.5 million sufferers. What are the typical characteristics of those with OCD? Which therapies best target specific OCD symptom clusters? What medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to OCD? How does OCD present in children and adolescents? What behavioral and/or medication treatments appear most effective for managing OCD symptoms?Get thorough, quick answers to these and other questions, plus easily reference:Key OCD assessment measures, including those recommended for children and adolescents Using exposure and response prevention therapy The evolving role of genetics in understanding what causes OCD The impact of cognitive treatments for OCD Chart of medication treatments and their side-effects Effectiveness of medications vs. behavior therapy ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Lots of information, more for professionals
Has lots of good information, but its kind of complex, more for professionals than regular people.

OCD text book
Great book for the professional.Don't give this one to your clients or try to read it late at night.Does cover the water front though. Good reference volume ... Read more

Product Description
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is known to affect some 2.3 percent of Americans—about 3.5 million individuals. Research indicates that behavior therapy is among the strongest techniques for managing the disorder. Unfortunately, the exposure techniques used in behavior therapy for OCD are considered too frightening for many sufferers. Although they desperately need help, as many as 25 percent of individuals with OCD refuse behavior therapy out of fear.

This book offers a new treatment approach to OCD that avoids exposure techniques. Based on research funded by the National Institutes for Health, it presents for the first time a purely cognitive approach to treating OCD. Not only will these techniques open up psychotherapy to those OCD sufferers who resist exposure-based therapy, but it also shows great promise for those who struggle concurrently with depression, anxiety, and other symptoms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent treatment guide
This book provides a thorough overview of the cognitive model of OCD and a method of treatment based on this model. There is a great deal of interesting information from research studies, and a very clear description of a form of treatment that can be used for people who are afraid of or resistant to exposure therapy. The book is a very helpful source of ideas for assisting people in changing the beliefs and thought processes that are exacerbating their OCD. ... Read more

Product Description
Keynote Speaker, 2010 International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Annual Conference and Member IOCDF Speakers Bureau.  Shannon Shy is a senior civilian attorney with the Department of the Navy and a retired U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Lieutenant Colonel. In 1997, while on active duty with the Marines, he was diagnosed with a severe case of obsessive-compulsive disorder or "OCD." His OCD had become so severe he became practically non-functioning. He constantly found himself in a seemingly endless loop of intrusive and irrational thoughts, mental anguish, physical pain, and odd behaviors. It got to the point where he secretly and repeatedly thought that suicide would be better than the anguish, embarrassment, and the pain. While he had suspected for several years that he had some disorder, he was afraid to admit it to anyone and afraid to be diagnosed. He had concluded that doing so would cause him to lose his career and his wife and two young sons. Finally, after some nudging from his wife and a colleague and after one very memorable OCD episode, he called a psychiatrist. With the aid of doctors, medication, and behavioral therapy, he developed an effective behavioral strategy (what he calls "Ground Rules and Checkpoints") to manage his OCD. He now lives a very happy and productive life and has for many years--without medication and without doctors. OCD no longer adversely affects him. This book is about how a young Marine officer, attorney, and family man faced and overcame a relentless "enemy" called OCD. It is a story about struggle, perseverance, and overcoming adversity. This book is not intended as medical advice. Rather, it provides hope, comfort, confidence and insight to some practical techniques for those suffering from OCD and for those trying to help someone with OCD. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

It'll Be Okay
It'll Be Okay is a story of healing and triumph over Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). As a Marine, Shannon Shy was the picture of strength and confidence. No one was more outgoing and fun loving.

Then, without warning, OCD began robbing Shannon of himself. Like many OCD sufferers, he developed a variety of compulsions including mistaking everyday objects along the side of the road for dead bodies, worrying that parked cars could contain injured people, needing to make sure that people were treating their children properly, and the dreaded hand washing routine. Often, it took Shannon hours to just get to work.

Terrified that admitting that he had a problem meant he'd lose his livelihood, Shannon tried everything to fight his compulsions. Fortunately, he eventually found help. Through medication and behavioral modification, he came to grips with OCD. Today, he is medication free and handles any stray OCD thoughts with a series of steps that he shares with other OCD sufferers.

Thank you, Shannon. So many people are afraid that admitting they have a problem will somehow make them less in other people's eyes, so many worry that their livelihood is at stake. Your story shows that getting help is the strongest thing a person can do and having your life back is possible.

Apparently Useful to OCD Sufferers
From the previous reviews, it's obvious that this book speaks forcefully and helpfully to those with OCD.
I ordered the book not because I have OCD, but because I have a friend who does, and hoped it would
help me to understand him better.If you do not have a disease, it's hard to get into the skin of one who
does.I didn't learn much new here, but it wasn't really written for me.Mr. Sly writes with compassion
and encouragement and I'm sure his achievement in controlling his OCD will be helpful to many.A professional editor would have improved the book.

It'll be okayGreat resource, great story!
I felt this book was very well written.It's heartfelt, to the point, and witty as well.I felt the book captured very well how ocd can interupt a normally strongwilled, determined, put together person that you would never think could be touched by such a disorder!As well as how he, his family and support people in his life worked to gain control again.Very well done. Very informative.

Excellent First-hand OCD Experience
As someone who has had to deal with OCD for 25 years, this personal story, with its detailed explanation of how he overcame OCD, by Shannon Shy, speaks to both my heart and my mind.It is proof that OCD can be overcome through conscious and persistent steps in learning how to view your OCD and how to manage it effectively.
People usually don't want to hear about how to "manage" a disease or condition; they want a complete cure.But the truth is that even people who do not have a disease or condition experience the same problems and challenges, perhaps to a lesser degree.My point is that everybody has stress and anxiety, times of deep sadness (depression), anger, etc.The trick is to learn how to manage the accompanying thoughts and feelings so that they don't steamroll your life.Shannon Shy shows how he has effectively done just that, and although his method of overcoming OCD may not be exactly right for all OCD sufferers, it can be tweaked and personalized and also spark new ideas on how OCD can be effectively managed.

Excellent Book on OCD
I purchased this book for my niece who suffers with OCD. She said this book was fantastic.Many of the OCD books out there don't focus on the types of symptoms she has. She said the author of this book had the exact obsessions as she has. I think it gave her a lot of hope! ... Read more

Product Description
Morbid obsessions with sex, germs, or with one's appearance, and uncontrollable compulsions to hoard objects, to check and recheck locks, or to pull one's hair are just a few of the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, which afflict over ten million Americans. Many suffer in isolation, not knowing that their disorder has a name, how to seek help, or how to help themselves. Dr. Penzel discusses the entire spectrum of these disorders, from the classic form characterized by intrusive, repetitive, and often unpleasant thoughts, to body dysmorphic disorder (""imagined ugliness""), trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling), compulsive skin picking, and nail biting.He takes the reader through each step of the most effective behavioral therapies, detailing how progress is made and how to avoid relapse. He also offers a completely up-to-date discussion of medication--how it is used as part of the overall treatment, its effect on pregnancy, how to choose the best medicine, and how to know if it is working. In addition, Dr. Penzel discusses the treatment of children with these disorders, offers helpful advice for the families of sufferers, and lists sources of help and information (including the latest sites on the Internet). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

OCD explained
Excellent reference for those who need to know, who seek help, who know someone with OCDs. Start here.

One of the best books on the topic
This is them most comprehensive book I've read on the subject.It includes many types of obsessions/compulsions not mentioned in other books (many books always talk about hand-washing, but many ocd sufferers don't do that).There is also a section on skin picking and hair pulling, often not covered in other books.

Left me wanting more
Insightful and thought provoking, this dated material is a great primer for the layperson. I found myself identifying with many of the cases of whom Dr. Penzer speaks. On the down side,the book left me wanting more up to date information about new treatments and OCSD studies.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders by Dr. Fred Penzel
Dr. Penzel's book is an excellent resource for the clinician treating OCD. I have used this as a resource for my clients many times and envision doing so in the years to come.

A great book on this subject
This is probably the most thorough book on the subject I have seen. The powerful misconception that accompanies Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: "No one would believe I think and/or act this way..." is refuted because he comprehensively mentions so many different ways this disorder manifests itself. Anyone who suffers from OCD will surely have many of their symptoms mentioned, identified and addressed. I know for me it was reassuring. I wish I had found it years ago. ... Read more

Product Description
If you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), chances are that your persistent obsessive thoughts and time-consuming compulsions keep you from enjoying life to the fullest. But when you are in the habit of avoiding the things you fear, the idea of facing them head-on can feel frightening and overwhelming. This book can help.

The OCD Workbook has helped thousands of people with OCD break the bonds of troubling OCD symptoms and regain the hope of a productive life. Endorsed and used in hospitals and clinics the world over, this valuable resource is now fully revised and updated with the latest evidence-based approaches to understanding and managing OCD. It offers day-to-day coping strategies you can start using right away, along with proven-effective self-help techniques that can help you maintain your progress. The book also includes information for family members seeking to understand and support loved ones who suffer from this often baffling and frustrating disorder. Whether you suffer with OCD or a related disorder, such as body dysmorphic disorder or trichotillomania, let this new edition of The OCD Workbook be your guide on the path to recovery.

This new edition will help you: