Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts: How to Gain Control of Your OCD [Paperback]

David A. Clark Ph.D. L. Psych (Author), Christine Purdon Ph.D.. C. Psych (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2005

Although once thought to be a rare and unusual condition, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has become increasingly a part of everyday discourse as it has gathered more and more media attention. News magazines and programs have done features on the disorder and its range of symptoms, and popular culture has depicted characters suffering from OCD, such as the eponymous detective in the UPN television program Monk.

One facet of OCD that is just beginning to be widely known is that people with the disorder can present a wide range of symptoms. Some people with OCD wash compulsively, others hoard objects, while still others-the audience of this book-struggle with obsessive thoughts. The most effective treatment techniques vary from symptom to symptom. This is why New Harbinger launched, with the publication of Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding, a series of books designed to bring the latest coping strategies for specific OCD symptoms to the people who need them most. Since that first book, we have brought readers two more titles: Overcoming Compulsive Washing and Overcoming Compulsive Checking. The professional community and OCD sufferers alike have warmly received all three books.

This fourth book in the series addresses the needs of those who struggle with obsessive thoughts they perceive as violent, disgusting, or blasphemous. Psychologists estimate that more than 50 percent of OCD sufferers experience aggressive, religious, or sexual thoughts. The goal of this book is to help people understand the impact of their control efforts on their obsessional thoughts. It works to help them recognize that thoughts, in themselves, are not threatening, dangerous, or harmful. Rather, it is the compulsive strategies they develop for coping that make the thoughts seem so harmful. The book offers safe and effective exposure exercises readers can use to limit the effect obsessive thoughts have on their lives. In addition to self-care strategies, the book includes information about choosing and making the most of professional care.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Purdon and Clark are among the world's top experts on the nature and treatment of unwanted obsessional thoughts. In this book, they describe powerful methods for conquering this problem, based on their own research as well as studies by other leading scientists. Although most self-help books on OCD include sections on dealing with unwanted thoughts, this excellent book provides the most thorough discussion of this topic that I've seen. Whether you have disturbing religious thoughts that you can't get rid of, irrational, unwanted, aggressive or sexual impulses, or other sorts of upsetting thoughts, this book is for you!”
—Martin M. Antony, Ph.D., ABPP, director of the Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre at St. Joseph's Healthcare and professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, both in Hamilton, Ontario

From the Publisher

Fourth in this successful series, this book provides individuals who suffer from repetitive, repugnant thoughts, images, or impulses with information and skills they can use to reduce their distress over and preoccupation with these thoughts.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 1 edition (October 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572243813
• ISBN-13: 978-1572243811
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #79 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best OCD book I have ever read next to Brain Lock, March 29, 2007

By 

Nader A. Homayouni "Nate Homayouni CPA" (Mt Airy MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts: How to Gain Control of Your OCD (Paperback)

One of the most powerful attributes of this book is the idea that in order for one to overcome obsessive thoughts one must actually avoid using mental coping mechanisms. Its ironic that the remedy and even cure is often contingent upon an individuals willingness to go in the opposite direction of his thoughts. I am a current graduate student and CPA who has been struggling with OCD just about all my life. As soon as I read this book, it changed my life. Everytime I get the urge to respond to an OCD thought I prohibit myself no matter how hard it is from employing mental coping mechanisms which actually fuel OCD and make it worse in the long run. I have been using this strategy for the last month and my life has changed. When you actually do not use mental coping mechanisms your OCD thoughts will diminish. In the past, I would use mental coping mechanisms over an over again as a temporary remedy. However, after reading this awesome book I stopped employing the coping mechanisms and allowed my thoughts to float resisting the urge to respond to them no matter how hard my brain was telling them to. The result FREEDOM.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best (only?) book on obsessive thoughts I have found!, June 3, 2007

By 

L. H. (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts: How to Gain Control of Your OCD (Paperback)

My boyfriend was diagnosed with OCD a little less than a year ago. While I found many books on OCD, and several written for family/friends of those with OCD, these books mainly focused on "visible" obsessions and compulsions (checking, washing, cleaning, rituals, etc.), rather than intrusive and obsessive thoughts, which is what he primarily suffers from.

This book was an AMAZING find, as it focuses ONLY on obsessive thoughts, and does a fantastic job at it. While it does give an overview of what OCD is, it does so with the assumption that the person reading suspects that they might have unhealthy obsessive thoughts, and that they are not yet diagnosed with OCD.

There are entire chapters dedicated each to repugnant obsessions (themes of harm, violence, and sex) and to religious obsessions, which in other books are not explained in depth at all. The book also gives methods to overcome the obsessive thoughts which are challenging but doable, and explains why other methods of "stopping" thoughts are ineffective and actually cause OCD to persist.

Most importantly, the book focuses on the fact that the person is not sinful (religious obsessions) or [...](repugnant obsessions) for having these intrusive thoughts.

This booked helped me to understand what my boyfriend is going through a million times better than any other book on OCD he or I have read, and he agrees that the book is right on track. I would recommend this book to anyone who is, or is close to, someone who struggles with obsessive thoughts. I can't stress my satisfaction enough!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book on Pure-O OCD, April 15, 2008

By 

aad1218 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts: How to Gain Control of Your OCD (Paperback)

This book is an excellent resource for people struggling with Pure-O OCD. Most books on OCD deal with the disorder and ritualistic physical behaviours which provide insight but don't offer concrete solutions on overcoming the anxiety associated with the thoughts. This book focuses on why you have the thoughts and why they won't go away. It also explains why you have great anxiety associated with the thoughts and confirms you're not a bad person for having them. Everyone has irrational thoughts from time to time but those who suffer from Pure-O OCD equate having the thought equal to performing the action which causes the anxiety. It offers solutions to overcoming the anxiety which are VERY challenging but worth the effort. One month after reading this book, my anxiety has decreased 85-90% and when the anxiety goes away, so do the thoughts! It requires self discipline and can be scary but worth the effort. I recommend this book to anyone struggling with Pure-O OCD or anyone who worries excessively.