The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder [Paperback]

Bruce Hyman (Author), Cherry Pedrick R.N. (Author), Bruce M. Hyman Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1999

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a neuro-biological disorder affecting one out of 40 adults. It is characterized by the presence of recurrent, intrusive thoughts, impulses, or images (obsessions) or repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions). This text presents an intensive, self-directed programme that allows individuals to learn how to block, alter, delay, and postpone rituals, reduce fears, and change unhealthy thought patterns.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book is exceptional in that it has practical benefits for both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) sufferers and for clinicians. For sufferers, it serves as a self-help treatment guide for understanding the disorder and using proven treatment techniques to bring about symptom reduction. For clinicians, it serves as a treatment manual that can assist in making the initial diagnosis, identifying the particular OCD subtype, and developing a successful treatment plan.”
—Paul R. Munford, Ph.D., director of the intensive outpatient treatment program at the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Center for OCD and Anxiety in San Rafael, CA, author of Overcoming Compulsive Washing

“More than just a workbook, this work by Hyman and Pedrick defines and demystifies obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition, it offers therapists and patients a highly specific and useful treatment program. The OCD Workbook should be an important addition to your collection of OCD treatment literature.”
—Robert H. Ackerman, MSW, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the State University of New York, Health Science Center at Brooklyn

“A wealth of information and real help for people with OCD and their families! The OCD Workbook is a great resource that is practical and easy to understand, with the latest updates and effective step-by-step strategies.”
—Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D., author of Up and Down the Worry Hill: A Children’s Book About OCD, What to Do When Your Child Has OCD, and Treatment of OCD in Children and Adolescents

“While there are many self-help books for OCD sufferers, there are few that are of the same caliber, in terms of completeness and usefulness, as Hyman and Pedrick’s The OCD Workbook. This is a first-rate resource for those seeking to recover their lives from this torturous disorder.”
—Fred Penzel, Ph.D., licensed psychologist and executive director of Western Suffolk Psychological Services in Huntington, NY, and author of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

“Bruce Hyman and Cherry Pedrick’s updated and expanded version of their classic, The OCD Workbook, is one of the best self-help books on OCD. Many sections have been expanded and new ones added. Readers will find up-to-date information on their own particular OCD concerns and how to conquer them.”
—Bruce Mansbridge, Ph.D., author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Conquering Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior and clinical assistant professor of psychology at the University of Texas, Austin

“The third edition of The OCD Workbook expands on the already comprehensive second edition by adding new insights in areas including mindfulness meditation, responsibility modification techniques, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Here the reader finds the most comprehensive survey of cognitive behavioral treatment for OCD that is accessible to the layman. All is clearly written, easily grasped, and laid out in a very user-friendly manner. Every OCD sufferer should read this book!”
—Ian Osborn, MD, psychiatrist, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center, and author of Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals: The Hidden Epidemic of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

“This book is an extremely helpful step-by-step guide to overcoming OCD. The authors are experienced in the treatment of this debilitating disorder and provide an easy formula for understanding and treating the symptoms of OCD and some spectrum disorders, such as health anxiety and body dysmorphic disorder. It is a very thorough book explaining the need to engage in therapy and how to apply specific strategies for specific symptoms. Some helpful hints are also provided for family members. I strongly recommend the book for those combating OCD.”
—Fugen Neziroglu, Ph.D., board-certified behavior and cognitive therapist, director of the Bio-Behavioral Institute in Great Neck, NY, and author of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

“This is an excellently organized, self-directed program to assist sufferers of OCD. The examples of cognitive behavioral treatment components for adults and children with OCD are very comprehensive. Parents and family will find support and assistance in breaking the patterns of enabling, and therapists will be able to implement behavioral assignments that will decrease OCD suffering.”
—Blanche Freund, adjunct professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Miami School of Medicine

“There has long been a need for a workbook that puts concrete instructions for doing therapy directly into the hands of people with OCD and their families. Hyman and Pedrick have admirably filled that need in this book. The OCD Workbook provides critically important practical information on how to overcome a wide variety of OCD symptoms.”
—Jeffrey M. Schwartz, MD, research professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and author of Brain Lock and The Mind and the Brain

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

This major revision of a best-selling classic offers the latest information about the neurobiological causes of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), new developments in medication and other treatment options for the disorder, and a new chapter outlining cutting-edge daily coping strategies for sufferers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 217 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572241691
• ISBN-13: 978-1572241695
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #539,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

190 of 191 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great New Tool in the Fight to Overcome OCD, January 14, 2000

By 

Janis D. McClure - See all my reviews

This review is from: The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Paperback)

As I am a person who has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and also a facilitator of a support group for the illness for seven years, I am so pleased to have a wonderful, new resource. THE OCD WORKBOOK:Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Dr. Bruce M. Hyman PhD. and Cherry Pedrick R.N. is the first book written about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that I have ever read that provides information in five key areas consolidated into one text. The five areas include:

1. AN INVALUABLE, DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE ILLNESS. This information includes an extensive definition of the illness and its symptoms. As is found throughout all of the book, the language is in laymen's terms so that all can learn from the information. 2. PERSONAL TESTIMONIALS. These are placed in various parts of the book to help sufferers and their loved ones better relate to the illness. 3. EXPLANATION OF TREATMENT OPTIONS. There is a very exptensive discussion of various treatment options and how they work. Once again, this is written in a language everyone can understand. 4. EXERCISES TO ASSIST IN TREATMENT. This is probably the most important and unique aspect of the book. As the name of the book suggests, this is a WORKBOOK that offers the reader the opportunity to stop and examine his or her personal situation. By actually writing answers to these exercises, a unique insight into how a person can tackle OCD or how a loved one can be helped is offered. Journalizing is often important in treatment and this book helps a person to do this in an orderly and non-intimidating manner. 5.IDEAS ON HOW TO HANDLE RELAPSES. Unfortunatley, those who are successful with treatment may very well have relapses. It is important to know that this is not a "weakness" or a situation in which a person is not "trying hard enough to get better". It is invaluable for those who have OCD to know that they are not alone even in the face of relapses. I do not remember a book that has handled the topic of relapses in such a positive way; not as a failure, but as a fact of life. The book offers many ways to help a sufferer and his or her family through these times.

In addition to these five areas, the book is very well laid out in an easy-to-read fashion. It is, as I said previously, thorough in its discussion of all facets of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and also related disorders.

We are using THE OCD WORKBOOK:Your Guide to Breaking Free From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as a tool in our support group meetings. By exploring the book as a group, together, the members are beginning to be more open, more informed about the illness, better able to have new coping skills and are more "bonded" as a group.

I highly recommend THE OCD WORKBOOK:Your Guide to Breaking Free From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder to anyone who has OCD, cares about someone who does, or just wants to learn more about the illness. I thank Dr. Hyman and Ms. Pedrick for bring this workbook to us.

Janis D. McClure, Founder and President The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation of Jacksonville, Inc.

125 of 126 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost a Cure..., February 5, 2000

By 

David (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Paperback)

While there is no definitive cure for OCD, this book comes as close as can be to coming up with one. By far the best book for OCD in the market today, Dr. Hyman's book gives a concrete guide to breaking free from the terrible mental illness that has for so often kept me and many others from the joy of life and a happy existence.

The notion that only cognitive behavior therapy, and not traditional psychotherapy, can treat OCD has finally reached the mainstream. I attribute a 75% improvement with my OCD (while at the same time decreasing my medication by 75%)from Dr. Hyman's novel approach. His book is truly a blessing and SHOULD BE READ BY ANY INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY MEMBER OF AN INDIVIDUAL fighting this insidious disease.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensible, helpful, and encouraging..., November 17, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Paperback)

I've purchased two copies of this book for family members with OCD, and it has helped immensely. It gave me a much clearer understanding of the mind of the OCD sufferer, and helped my loved ones actively participate in their recovery. Highly recommended.