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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38348 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-13
• Released on: 1999-04-13
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

From Booklist
As many as six million Americans may suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), making it one of the most common mental diseases. Osborn had a bout with it while in medical training, and he narrates the unfolding understanding of the disease and its treatment informatively and readably. In medieval times, many felt that the disorder had a religious basis. Later, puritanism imputed it to sinning, and psychoanalysis "proved" that it had deep psychological roots. Osborn shows that OCD is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and that behavior therapy and drugs, preferably together, can take care of it for most patients; Osborn personalizes this part of the discussion with case histories of individuals rather than stick-figure textbook abstractions. He also mentions new research, such as that which finds a possible link between OCD and childhood streptococcal infections; brain injury and stress may also play causative roles. He concludes with a long list of OCD support groups and other helpful information. William Beatty

Review
"A truly wonderful, compassionate book."
--James W. Broatch, executive director, Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation

"A splendid book on OCD--lively, lucid, informative, and scholarly."
--Ronald Pies, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine

"A marvelous achievement--an excellent and very practical overview of OCD and its treatment."
--Jeffrey Schwartz, M.D., associate professor, UCLA School of Medicine

Review
"A truly wonderful, compassionate book."
--James W. Broatch, executive director, Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation

"A splendid book on OCD--lively, lucid, informative, and scholarly."
--Ronald Pies, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine

"A marvelous achievement--an excellent and very practical overview of OCD and its treatment."
--Jeffrey Schwartz, M.D., associate professor, UCLA School of Medicine

Customer Reviews

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.