Being Me With Ocd

Part memoir, part self-help for teens, Being Me with OCD tells the story of how obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) dragged the author to rock bottom—and how she found hope, got help, and eventually climbed back to a fuller, happier life. Using anecdotes, self-reflection, guest essays, and thorough research, Dotson explains what OCD is and how readers with OCD can begin to get better. With humor, specific advice, and an inspiring, been-there-beat-that attitude, readers will find the book simultaneously touching and practical.

Part memoir, part self - help for teens, Being Me with OCD tells the story of how obsessive - compulsive disorder (OCD) dragged the author to rock bottom - and how she found hope, got help, and eventually climbed back to a fuller, happier life. Using anecdotes, self - reflection, guest essays, and thorough research, Dotson explains what OCD is...

People who suffer from mental illness rarely do so alone. Their families and loved ones face their own set of unique challenges-problems that deserve their own resources and sources of support. This is the first book written specifically to the loved ones of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It helps readers examine how OCD affects their lives and offers a straightforward system for building a healthier, more constructive relationship with OCD sufferers. The book contains basic information about OCD-its definition, cause, and symptoms-and a brief overview of treatments available for the disorder. After these introductory sections, the book focuses on ways readers can foster a healthy relationship with someone with OCD. It includes tips for increasing family involvement, making accommodation for the disorder in daily life, and creating an action plan for change using family contracts. The book also covers relational topics such as parenting and marriage, self-care, and support networking. Throughout, the book illustrates important points with the real-life stories of families living with OCD.

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.

A brave teen recounts her debilitating struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder—and brings readers through every painful step as she finds her way to the other side—in this powerful and inspiring memoir. Until sophomore year of high school, fifteen-year-old Allison Britz lived a comfortable life in an idyllic town. She was a dedicated student with tons of extracurricular activities, friends, and loving parents at home. But after awakening from a vivid nightmare in which she was diagnosed with brain cancer, she was convinced the dream had been a warning. Allison believed that she must do something to stop the cancer in her dream from becoming a reality. It started with avoiding sidewalk cracks and quickly grew to counting steps as loudly as possible. Over the following weeks, her brain listed more dangers and fixes. She had to avoid hair dryers, calculators, cell phones, computers, anything green, bananas, oatmeal, and most of her own clothing. Unable to act “normal,” the once-popular Allison became an outcast. Her parents questioned her behavior, leading to explosive fights. When notebook paper, pencils, and most schoolbooks were declared dangerous to her health, her GPA imploded, along with her plans for the future. Finally, she allowed herself to ask for help and was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. This brave memoir tracks Allison’s descent and ultimately hopeful climb out of the depths.

Currently on the recommended reading list of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). Since childhood, Bess Cunningham has suffered with severe OCD, anxiety and depression. In desperation for relief, Bess spent ten years researching and experimenting. Today, through her efforts, she remains OCD free and is enjoying her life. With a synopsis by Jeffrey Schwartz MD., author of 'Brain Lock' and 'You Are Not Your Brain', this book is for people with OCD, as well as their parents, teachers and families so they may gain understanding of this elusive disorder. Academics and health professionals with research interests in OCD, and related fields, may also find this book informative.

In a large-size format for easy photocopying, this user-friendly manual presents a tested treatment protocol for children and adolescents (ages 6 to 18) struggling with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Ten flexible modules give clinicians tools for engaging kids and their parents and implementing successful exposure and response prevention activities, as well as other cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies. Each module includes vivid clinical vignettes, sample scripts, “tips and tricks” drawn from the authors’ extensive experience, and numerous reproducible child and parent handouts and worksheets. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print additional copies of the reproducible materials, in color.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER An engaging no-holds-barred memoir that reveals Howie Mandel’s ongoing struggle with OCD and ADHD—and how it has shaped his life Howie Mandel is one of the most recognizable names in entertainment. But there are aspects of his personal and professional life he’s never talked about publicly—until now. Twelve years ago, Mandel first told the world about his “germophobia.” He’s recently started discussing his adult ADHD as well. Now, for the first time, he reveals the details of his struggle with these challenging disorders. He speaks candidly about the ways his condition has affected his personal life—as a son, husband, and father of three. Along the way, the versatile performer reveals “the deal” behind his remarkable rise through the show-business ranks, sharing never-before-told anecdotes about his career. As heartfelt as it is hilarious, Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me is the story of one man’s effort to draw comic inspiration out of his darkest, most vulnerable places.