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Everything in Its Place: My Trials and Triumphs with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [Paperback]

Marc Summers (Author), Eric Hollander (Foreword)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)


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Book Description

October 2, 2000
From the time he was in the first grade, Marc Summers feared that if his bedroom wasn't perfectly neat and his shirts didn't hang exactly one-fourth of an inch apart in the closet, something terrible would befall his parents or himself. It wasn't until many years later that the source of his anxiety became clear: like an estimated 6 million Americans today, Summers suffers the effects of obsessive compulsive disorder.

A frank and often hilarious narrative, Everything in Its Place tells the story of Summers's journey from compulsive room cleaner to family man, television celebrity, and Obsessive Compulsive Foundation spokesperson. Describing his struggle to maintain personal relationships and build a career, the ups and downs of being on medication, and what it's like to be compelled to straighten the fringes of a rug at two o'clock in the morning, here is a compellingly readable and ultimately uplifting memoir.

"In sharing his personal battle with anxiety disorders, Marc Summers gives hope and courage to the many individuals and their families who suffer from these illnesses." - Mary Guardino, Founder and Executive Director, Freedom from Fear

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although for many people obsessive compulsive disorder is a debilitating condition, Summers, the host of PAX-TV's Great Day America and the former host of Nickelodeon's Double Dare, found ways to channel his OCD into a high-powered career. In this upbeat memoir-cum-guide, he describes how he discovered that his "all or nothing" approach to life and his obsession with order (e.g., straightening the fringe on his oriental rug to make each strand exactly parallel) could be more than just an idiosyncrasy. He "outed" himself on national television when Dr. Hollander, an OCD expert, was a guest on Summers's talk show, and became active in educating the public about a neurological disorder that affects some six million Americans. Summers believes his considerable career success is tied to his OCD, since it was "a way for me to channel an aspect of my disease: my need to win, to be perfect, to be the best." He also emphasizes the fear and shame he felt about his compulsions, the toll they took on his family and the need for treatment (Hollander cites "startlingly high" success rates with a combination of medication and behavior therapy). Unfortunately, Summers brings little insight or analytical depth to this material. But he provides a good deal of useful self-help information and communicates a positive attitude that will encourage many who live with OCD to seek help for their condition. Agent, Mark Reiter, IMG Literary; 7-city tour. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Only in the past 15 years has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) been medically recognized as something from which 6 million Americans suffer, which may explain the publishing explosion on the subject. Summers, former host of Nickelodeon's Double Dare and ABC's Home Show, is an OCD sufferer and spokesperson for the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation. Here he explains his illness, beginning at the age of six, when he constantly straightened and cleaned his room. A combination of OCD and perfectionism drove him to become a performer, first as a magician; the ritual of doing tricks over and over was comforting. Summers's simple yet eloquent descriptions of the disease and the types of treatments available, as well as the stories of others afflicted, will give readers a clearer understanding of life as an OCD person. The reading level makes this an ideal source of information on OCD for middle or high school students as well.ALisa S. Wise, Broome Cty. P.L., Binghamton, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Tarcher (October 2, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1585420484
  • ISBN-13: 978-1585420483
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,073,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

26 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (26 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Affirming story of hope for those who live with OCD, November 4, 1999
By A Customer
As the parent of a child with OCD, I found Marc Summers' book to be an incredibly helpful one. The book gives solid information about this disorder and also tells Marc's personal story of his journey from diagnosis to recovery. My son watched "Double Dare" religiously. Seeing one of his idols struggling with the same disorder that he does, has helped Jake continue to win his battle as well. A good read for families and those who work with people with ocd. This is one book that helps de-stigmatize a mental illness. Bravo!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story..., October 26, 1999
By A Customer
Believe it or not, I really felt differently about this book after reading it.

I though this was a book about OCD. But after reading it, I found out it's really a book about the trials and triumphs of life...period, with or without OCD.

It really was a touching tale about how one can never be sure what to expect in life and how one goes about dealing with the upside and downside of the world.

I would recommend to anyone with or without this terrible disorder.

For Double Dare fans, it is sad to note, that Summers doesn't talk very much about his days at Double Dare, not even dedicating a chaper to what was really his big break.

However, the story is nevertheless thoughtful and touching.

I wish Marc Summers the best. And hopefully, he will once again return to television, where he really belongs.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book..................., August 9, 2001
By 
Joanne Cone (Littleton, Ma USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Everything in Its Place: My Trials and Triumphs with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Paperback)
Having a son, age 11, who suffers from OCD and who is a fan of Marc Summers, I thought this would be a great book for both of us to read and we were not disappointed. While my son's OCD is not quite as severe as Marc's, we definitely could relate to so many things that he shared. It made my son feel better to know that he was not alone and to even find some humor in all of it. I think by writing this book, Marc Summers has touched the lives many in a very positive way.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
On October 18, 1994, I was finally going on The Tonight Show, where one appearance can make or break a career. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
marc summers, mare summers, eric hollander, magic props, contamination fears
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Double Dare, The Tonight Show, Home Show, Burt Reynolds, Johnny Carson, Magic Castle, Carrot Top, David Letterman, East Coast, Hollywood Squares, Madison Avenue, Majority Rules, West Hills, Rabbi Davis, The Price Is Right, Ventura Freeway, Bobby Roads, Comedy Store, Jay Leno, Miss Sue, Santa Monica Mountains
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