Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals: The Hidden Epidemic of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

by Ian Osborn

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0440508479
• ISBN13: 9780440508472
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

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.

Great and Unusual Book

Dr. Osborn does a great work with this book. In the early chapters he provides case histories that let us see first hand what OCD is. Then he provides a diagnostic test for self-evaluation. Then he cuts loose with the definitions. OCD thoughts fall into four categories, fear of contamination (filth), fear of hurting others or oneself (harm), fantasies of impulse (lust) and fear of hurting God or one's relationship. (blasphemy). He does not cover hoarding or collecting behaviors in detail, but mentions the possible relationships.Dr. Osborn's principle insight is that OCD is neurobiological in origin, and that it is successfully treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Zoloft and Prozac. He argues that it should be renamed "basal ganglia" disorder, since this is the brain center implicated (along with the thinking trail to the frontal lobe). I hope this proposal is adopted.The author uses four criteria to establish an OCD thought, and its matching, anxiety reducing behavior, which are the obsession and the compulsion respectively. Such thoughts have four properties which can be remembered by the mnemonic 2IRU. OCD thoughts are inappropriate, intrusive, recurrent and unwanted. This is what distinguishes them from addictive thoughts.This book unlocked for me an understanding of a multigenerational difficulty and for Dr. Osborn's many insights I am grateful.- Vanwww dot wdv dot com

Dealing With Obsessive Thoughts

I have read several book on OCD that dealt mainly with checking rituals. However, I've suffered from obsessive thoughts all my life. I was never able to find a book that satisfied my desire to learn how to deal with these thoughts in a way that made sense to me. Until now! This books has provided me with many suggestions on dealing with unwanted thoughts. Suggestions that have helped. The book deals so much with the experiences of Dr. Osborn's patients, that I felt like I was part of a therapy group. It felt so good hearing the stories of others. I highly suggest this book for anyone fighting those unwanted thoughts.

A diamond among the coal...

This is a beautifully written piece of work. Osborn not only explains OCD but he knows it! I myself suffer from OCD and if it weren't for this book I would still be stumbling around in the dark thinking I was crazy. This book is truly unique in the sense that Osborn's own suffering of OCD allows him to truly delve into the heart of the problem and explain it, unlike some others who inadequately attempt to review and explain the disorder without bringing to light the full extent to which it is suffered by millions of people worldwide. Osborn's compassion and understanding of the subject makes this book a must have, not only for all OCD sufferers but all who wish to understand the chemical disorder of Obsessive-Ccompulsive Disorder. A truly awesome book. I recommend it to anyone looking for enlightenment on the subject.

Outstanding book for understanding and managing OCD

I am a licensed psychologist and a patient with obsessive compulsive symptoms. For over five years I have voraciously consumed the available literature to get help for myself and my clients. This book is a must have. Nothing I have read has been better.Dr. Osborn's magic is in letting himself shine through as a fellow sufferer who is a deeply compassionate practitioner. His case studies show many of the subtle faces of OCD and give us insight into the suffering this disorder can bring.A real highlight of the book is when he lets his group therapy patients speak to us through their ten strategies for coping with OCD. This is a six star book.