Customer Reviews

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders: Treating and Understanding Crippling Habits

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

As someone who has suffered from OCD and eating disorders, and who has also lived with someone who had OCD, I found this book to be very valuable. I can see where parents might take offense in cases where there is a strong biochemical predisposition. But the reality is that much of what Levenkron says about children who have had to play the role of the parent (underparenting) is completely true. The repetive behaviors and thoughts help to create a structure and order to the world that we did not experience as children. That is not to say that his theory is an exclusive explanation of this disorder. It will apply or be "true" for some cases and not for others. It is definitely worth considering, especially if you are somone afflicted with this disorder to any degree. And remember, people thought Levenkron was way off with his nuturant-authoritative approach described in his ground breaking book, Treating and Overcoming Anorexia Nervosa, and now it is practically a classic.

A parent's anguish in watching one's child suffer with OCD is on-going, tempered by glimmers of hope and a steadfast belief that, some day and some how, the disorder will be conquered. As a parent, that anguish is underscored with self doubt, guilt and the ever nagging questions about what one did, or didn't do, that might have caused the OCD to develop. We know now that OCD is a complex condition involving brain chemistry, heredity, exposure to streptococus bacteria and other factors. But, in this book, Levenkron claims OCD is caused by what he calls "underparenting". At the beginning of Chapter Two, Levenkron says: "A decrease in obsessive-compulsive disorders depends upon an increase in proper parental nurturing. Such a decrease requires men and women, who are ready for long-term commitment as parents, putting the good of their children first ..." As a parent who HAS nurtured and loved her child, who HAS made personal choices to put her child first, only to see him develop OCD, I felt Levenkron's comment was like a knife through the heart. Every therapist I've talked to has assured me there was nothing I did, or didn't do, to cause my son's OCD. I threw Levenkron's outdated and misleading book in the recycling bin where it, hopefully, will go on to a new and more productive life as a paper towel.

This book has not only helped me to understand my own disorder but to also try to overcome it. I can see how parents find this book offensive but really they read the book as a parent not as a caring person trying to understand. Yes a chemical imbalance can help to have caused OCD but underparenting can also play a big role. It frustrates me to hear parents say they had nothing to do with their child's disorder because right now i'm struggling with my parents because they still blame me for the things i had to go through and are still trying to change all I am even the part of me that is not controlled by my disorder rather than try to change themselves as well which has only made matters worse. Yes it may hurt a parent to hear they had a part in their child's disorder but it also hurts the child to be blamed for something they don't really understand themselves. But once you can see that you must change as well you can greatly help your child and make them feel loved rather than blamed. Steven Levenkron's books have gotten me through so much, he not only helped me understand my self-mutilation and help me through the recovery process in the book cutting but has also stopped my anorexia before i had severe medical problems, this book on OCD has helped me have a greater understanding of what i'm going through because none of my counselors or even during my hospitalization did anyone bother to look at the full picture and explain to me what's going on. I strongly advice you to read this book, it can open your eyes and help you see the full picture.

This book is out-dated and contains a lot of mis information. This book tends to blame parents for OCD and does not begin to mention the chemical imbalance that is now known to be a cause of OCD.

The author of this book clearly does not understand the basis concepts of OCDs. It is troubling that someone with such little knowledge would publish a book on a very important topic. The premise that OCDs have stemmed from something other than a chemical imbalance is ridiculous and untrue. This book should not have been published nor read by anyone with OCDs.

As an OCD sufferer and someone well-versed on the subject, I know that Levenkron's claim that underparenting causes OCD is absolutely ludicrous. I hope no unsuspecting readers pick this up as their first introduction to the subject and actually believes this. OCD is a biological and chemical brain disorder. While underparenting certainly may cause problems, it doesn't cause OCD. More helpful, suggested authors: Ian Osborn, Jenike, Penzel

Wish I had found this book years ago.

It has been of immense value to our family, and, thankfully, put us on the road to full recovery.

For those determined to be problem SOLVERS, this is one of the best medical-related books you could ever buy.

Highly recommended!