Rewind Replay Repeat: A Memoir of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder [Paperback]

Jeff Bell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2007

The revealing story of one man's struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and his hard-won recovery

Nagging doubt: It's a part of everyday life. Who hasn't doubled back to check on a door or appliance? But what if one check wasn't enough? Nor two or three? And what if nagging doubt grew so intense that physical senses became all but useless? Such was the case for Jeff Bell, a husband, father, and highly successful radio news anchor—and one of the millions of Americans living with obsessive-compulsived disorder (OCD). Bell's frank and forthright memoir recounts the depths to which this debilitating anxiety disorder reduced him—to driving his car in continuous circles, scouring his hands in scalding water, and endlessly rewinding, replaying, and repeating in his head even the most mundane daily experiences. Readers will learn what OCD feels like from the inside, and how healing from such a devastating condition is possible through therapy, determination, and the support of loved ones.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bell's memoir is a revealing look at life with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) that goes to often hysterical lengths to convey the dynamics of OCD by reviewing life consumed by the disorder and attempts to overcome it. Radio news anchor and first-time author Bell chronicles the constant worrying, rechecking and unstoppable thought-loops that spin him like a whirligig through his day, recounting "virtual tapes" from his life. Cleverly labeling different sections of his narrative "play," "fast forward" and "pause," using the last of which to stop the action and address readers directly, Bell is easy to like, and he wisely keeps things from getting too technical: "I myself don't even pretend to understand those brain complexities ... My expertise is in doubt." As such, he provides an experiential report of everything from a (very) minor boat accident and the (slightly) major on-air radio flub that followed, to the efficacy of the "Quirk Defense," to his last-ditch, year-long project to overcome his symptoms. Bell's story provides plenty of lessons, perspective and hope for those living with OCD-either their own or someone else's-in a funny, highly entertaining narrative.
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About the Author

Jeff Bell, a longtime veteran of radio and television news, currently co-anchors afternoons on KCBS Radio in San Francisco, one of the most successful all-news radio stations in America. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife and two daughters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden; 1 edition (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592853714
• ISBN-13: 978-1592853717
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeff Bell is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and radio news anchor. His first book, "REWIND, REPLAY, REPEAT: A Memoir of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder," was published in 2007 and quickly established Bell as a leading voice in the mental health community. Since RRR's publication, Bell has traveled extensively, becoming a sought-after motivational speaker across the country, while lending his support to numerous mental health awareness and advocacy programs, including the International OCD Foundation, for which he serves as a National Spokesperson.

Bell is a 2007 recipient of Mental Health America's prestigious forWARDS Award, for "moving the cause of mental health forward," and his story has been featured in The Wall Street Journal (online), Psychology Today, DETAILS Magazine, and The New York Times, for which he was commissioned to write a feature that ran internationally in 2008. He has appeared on NPR's Talk of the Nation and The Infinite Mind programs, Good Morning America Radio, and on more than 50 TV and/or radio stations in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Denver, Washington, D.C., and numerous other top markets.

Bell is a 20-year veteran of radio and television news and currently co-anchors the afternoon news at KCBS Radio, the CBS Network's San Francisco flagship and one of the nation's most respected and successful radio news operations.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting and revealing, if not shocking, April 8, 2007

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rewind Replay Repeat: A Memoir of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Paperback)

Let me admit upfront that I knew little of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) before reading this book. I had heard of some instances where certain people do what I will call rather strange things like re-checking things 3 or 4 times, or washing their hands quasi non-stop. I'm not sure what prompted me to pick up this book in the first place, but let me just say I am very glad I did.

In "Rewind, Replay, Repeat" (357 pages), author Jeff Bell, apparently a well-known news radio personality in the Bay Area and Northern California, basically recounts his 6 years (roughly 1992 to 1998) of going through the hell that is called OCD, before finding a way to handle it. For those of us who do not have OCD, this book is incredibly revelatory in what various types of OCD'ers (such as 'washers', 'hoarders', 'checkers', 'repeaters' and the like) go through day after day. Struggling with getting the proper treatment from his doctor, Bell recounts when he stumbles on a book that describes what he is going through: "What I read on the first page of the first chapter knocks me down to my knees, like a swift blow to the back of my legs". Bell ultimately finds a behavior therapist who understands his condition. The road blocks enountered by the author are many and getting on the right path is "hard work", as the author makes clear over and over again.

The book is riveting and even shocking, in the sense that it is so difficult to really understand what OCD'ers are going through. The author is to be commended for sharing his story, providing insight and education to someone like me, and giving hope to other OCD'ers. Highly recommended.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I read it, I laughed, I cried, I loved it! I didn't want to put it down., February 14, 2007

By 

Norma Jean Thornton (Rio Linda, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rewind Replay Repeat: A Memoir of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Paperback)

If you are OCD, have a family member who is, or even think you might be, or know someone who is, or might be, you all have to read this book.

Jeff has literally gone through hell and back with his OCD, and one can't help but want to hug him and help him get through each episode.

He is so clear in what he writes, it's almost as though you're sitting on his shoulder watching what he goes through.

Using the tape recorder as a basis for a title, and the way it's used throughout, is a fabulous way of writing - Pause, Play, Fast-Forward. It's so simple, yet totally explanatory.

He gives a very detailed version of what one person has suffered with this illness. Those of us who have much lesser forms of it, can only be thankful there but for the grace of God, goes us.

I think this book should be mandatory reading for all teachers and students in high school and college; possibly even junior high, at least in some classes.

The only negative things I'll say about it, isn't even negative for me, but might be for others.

At times, one might feel it's a bit over the top ... please have understanding. It is over the top for Jeff, and it's exactly as intense as he relates it to be.

The coincidences of finding each thing at the specific times he does - and the "internal voices" (his own) telling him to do or not to do certain things - may seem unbelievable. They aren't. It happens all the time to some.

I bought two books at his signing at Borders in Sacto, and am highly recommending the book to everyone I know.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very encouraging for anyone with OCD!, March 16, 2007

By 

Luke Barwick "Rajun Cajun" (Covington, LA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rewind Replay Repeat: A Memoir of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Paperback)

This memoir is very good at describing what it is like to live with OCD. The author, Mr. Bell, describes his ups and downs living with OCD in candor and good humor. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in gaining insight into this disorder, especially people that have OCD. There is a great light at the end of the tunnel.