Stop Obsessing!: How to Overcome Your Obsessions and Compulsions (Revised Edition) [Paperback]

Edna B. Foa (Author), Reid Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 31, 2001

Newly Revised and Updated!

Are you tormented by extremely distressing thoughts or persistent worries?

Compelled to wash your hands repeatedly?

Driven to repeat or check certain numbers, words, or actions?

If you or someone you love suffers from these symptoms, you may be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from some form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD.

Once considered almost untreatable, OCD is now known to be a highly treatable disorder using behavior therapy. In this newly revised edition of Stop Obsessing! Drs. Foa and Wilson, internationally renowned authorities on the treatment of anxiety disorders, share their scientifically based and clinically proven self-help program that has already allowed thousands of men and women with OCD to enjoy a life free from excessive worries and rituals.

You will discover:
• Step-by-step programs for both mild and severe cases of OCD
• The most effective ways to help you let go of your obsessions and gain control over your compulsions
• New charts and fill-in guides to track progress and make exercises easier
• Questionnaires for self-evaluation and in-depth understanding of your symptoms
• Expert guidance for finding the best professional help
• The latest information about medications prescribed for OCD

Editorial Reviews

Review

“By far the best self-help book for people with obsessions and compulsions that I have ever read. Unusually clear, exceptionally precise, and immensely practical.”
— Albert Ellis, Ph.D., author of A New Guide to Rational Living

From the Publisher

"Regain control over your life. If you find yourself tormented by unwanted, disturbing thoughts or compelled to perform rigidly set action to reduce your stress, you may be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It may be as mild a doubting whether you tumed off the iron before leaving the house, or it may be as sever as disabling as washing your hands for hours each day. But whatever its degree, OCD is distressing, uncomfortable, and can disrupt your life or destroy your most important relationships. Until recently, OCD was considered to be almost untreatable using conventional forms of therapy. Now it is known to be a highly treatable disorder using behavior therapy. Drs. Foa and Wilson, internationally known authorities on the treatment of anxiety disorders, have developed a revolutionary self-help program that can help relieve crippling obsessions and compulsions. In Stop Obsessing! you will discover: A series of questionnaires to help you analyze the severity of your obsessions and compulsions. An initial self-help program to overcome milder symptoms and reduce more severe cases. The most effective way to help you let go of your obsessions and gain control over your compulsions. An intensive three-week program for anyone who spends more than two hours a day on obsessions or rituals. Expert guidance in determining whether you need the added help of a professional.Stop Obsessing! 's powerful and reliable techniques have helped thousands of patients with OCD reduce or eliminate unwanted thoughts and rituals. Today, you or someone you love can recover and lead a normal life, free of excessive fears and worries. So why wait?

"By far the best self-help book for people with obsessions and compulsions that I have ever read. Unusually clear, exceptionally precise, and immensely practical"--Albert Ellis, Ph.D., President, Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy, and author of A New Guide To Rational Living. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 253 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; 1st edition (July 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553381172
• ISBN-13: 978-0553381177
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Behavioral Sciences > Behavioral Psychology
  • #37 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Mental Illness
  • #44 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

128 of 129 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure obsessives & ritual thinkers take heart. THERE IS HELP! July 15, 2002

By Russell

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have OCD and didn't understand what I had or how to treat it. I was treated with medication for 5 years and had to go off it because of liver problems all the while not understanding the kind of OCD I have. I had a relapse about 10 months later and really struggled for answers. I discovered the self help books here at amazon and found this book. I am a pure obsessive and ritual thinker and never scored high on any OCD test. This book helped me understand what I have, how to treat it, and has specific suggestions on developing a CBT program that works for me. It has been such a great help to me I can't begin to tell you. I really recommend this book to all OCD suffers but especially to you pure obsessives as there is not much out there for us. I read three books and this was by far the best.

71 of 71 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Help That Works! January 10, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I had never allowed myself to seriously think that I had OCD, I was just a little quirky, I thought. What I had was a mild range of compulsions that relieved my anxiety - counting (silently)by twos to twenty, constantly rechecking to see if I'd locked the house, the car, turned off my headlights, feeling obligated to read anything that even slightly interested me (and most things did, because what if there was something in that particular book that I needed to know?), mentally repeating words I'd hear, and all the while I'd think something wrong here. Well, anyway, among the solutions I've found have been in this book. Train yourself to reduce the compulsions (mine distracted me from my real fears), it can be done. There may be not cure but there is effective management.

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More help was gained from this book than with any doctor. February 28, 1999

By [e-mail]

Format:Paperback

After our son was diagnosed with OCD we went from one doctor to another. This book actually gave us strategies we do in our family to help him. He is finally coming around to a more normal way of life and is getting a grip on knowing how to divert his thoughts away from his obessions.