The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts [Hardcover]

Lee Baer Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 2000

In a book that will change the way we think about obsessive-compulsive disorders, distinguished OCD expert Lee Baer examines a widespread yet little understood condition.

Everyone has bad thoughts-even those of a violent, blasphemous, or sexual nature. For most of us, they are often only mildly disconcerting and do not impair behavior. But consider the mother paralyzed by the fear of accidentally poisoning her infant, or the more than one million women each year who suffer from postpartum depression and experience thoughts of harming their babies. They often suffer in silence rather than expose their unwanted thoughts to a doctor.

Now, based on his extensive work with obsessive-compulsive disorders, Dr. Lee Baer turns our attention to the common and underlying problem of unwanted, inappropriate, and obsessive thoughts. At once an insightful exploration of this silent epidemic in our midst and a powerful guide for those suffering from this disorder, Baer draws on groundbreaking research to find what causes these bad thoughts, giving sufferers information on medication or self-help treatment. Most important, in helping all of us understand this condition, he provides a way to find peace of mind.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychologist Baer (an associate professor at Harvard) turns the spotlight on a little-known but common form of obsession, "bad thoughts." According to Baer, these "intrusive" thoughts fall into a few basic types: violent, sexual and blasphemous words, and images of a religious nature. Borrowing from Edgar Allan Poe, Baer blames such mental torment on "the imp of the perverse," that little devil inhabiting all human minds, cross-culturally and across time, "who makes you think the most inappropriate thoughts at the most inappropriate times." For most people, the imp proves no more than a "fleeting annoyance" most of the time, but for Baer's patients, these impish thoughts create extreme fear, guilt and worry. Attempting to suppress them only makes them stronger, leading the afflicted to avoid places, people and situations that provoke them. A new mother who obsessively thinks about harming her infant, for example, may increasingly avoid daily caretaking activities. Tending to be perfectionist and "overly conscientious," these people are highly unlikely ever to act on their bad thoughts, Baer explains. The most successful treatment, he says, involves desensitizing individuals by increasingly (and safely) exposing them to the situations that provoke their "bad thoughts"; cognitive therapy is also helpful for many patients. Finally, such prescription drugs as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like Prozac, have also proved highly effective in the treatment of this disorder. With an easy-to-read style, Baer offers a comprehensive and accessible look at this fascinating topic. (Jan. 15)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Lee Baer, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of OCD and related disorders. Author of Getting Control: Overcoming Your Obsessions and Compulsions, Baer is an associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and the director of research of the OCD unit at Massachusetts General Hospital as well as of the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult (December 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525945628
• ISBN-13: 978-0525945628
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #617,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great tool..., December 1, 2003

By 

Tim P. (S.F. Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts (Hardcover)

This is the first and only book that I have found that actually deals with obsessive negative bad thoughts. Most of the OCD books that I have found deal with compulsions and rituals and hit very lightly on obsessive negative thoughts. Great book that offers lots of good strategies for dealing with obsessive negative thoughts.

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Important, March 8, 2001

By 

obsessive thinker (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts (Hardcover)

For those of us who are plagued with obsessive bad thoughts, this book is very important. Since I was very young I have been bothered by obsessive religious thoughts, especially during prayer-time. Because of these thoughts, I have gone through periods in my life where I had to stop praying, because it seemed like the only way to minimize these thoughts. This is not something I have ever discussed with anyone, even though I was in therapy and on medication for depression for several years. It really just seemed too terrible to talk about. I always wondered what was wrong with me, and even wondered if I was possessed. This book has put my mind at ease, by letting me know that it's my brain, and not "me" that is the problem. I don't have these thoughts because I am evil, I have them because there is something wrong with my brain. Thank you for writing this book, Dr. Baer, because it seems like the other books on OCD focus on behaviors, and don't give an indepth discussion of obsessive thoughts which can be just as disturbing as counting, checking or hording.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have, October 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts (Hardcover)

I've read a lot of books about OCD, and most of them focus on compulsive BEHAVIOR (handwashing, checking locks, hoarding, etc.) rather than what to do about obsessions -- intrusive thoughts that can depress and often cripple people. As someone with OCD obessions but not compulsions, this book has been a huge help to me. Best of all is to read Baer's detailed descriptions of real-life patients with a variety of different obsessions and to recognize just how common these thoughts really are. If you've ever felt guilty, depressed, or flawed because of your obsessions, read this book ... the mere recognition that you are neither evil nor alone in having these thoughts is, in itself, a major step towards healing.