Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals: The Hidden Epidemic of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder [Paperback]

Ian Osborn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 1999

While on vacation, Raymond incessantly checked the carpets of Disney World looking for poison he had seen spilled there--in his mind.... Sherry was terrified of her thoughts about stabbing her baby daughter.... Jeff couldn't silence a mental voice urging him to have sex with men and animals....

Howard Hughes had it. So did historical figures Martin Luther and Ignatius of Loyola. They all suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)--as do over five million Americans who need to know that there is now hope and help. Ian Osborn, M.D., a specialist in OCD and a sufferer himself, has written the first comprehensive book on the experience, diagnosis, and treatment of OCD. He reveals recent discoveries about the disease as a biological disorder--a physical, not a psychological abnormality--and the exciting new therapies that have dramatically changed the future for OCD sufferers.

His wise, compassionate book includes:

Pencil-and-paper tests for self-diagnosis
Six steps to conquering OCD
Medication that works
Early signs that show OCD in children
Guidelines for family members
A comprehensive listing of where to find organizations and support groups--and more

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

As many as six million Americans may suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), making it one of the most common mental diseases. Osborn had a bout with it while in medical training, and he narrates the unfolding understanding of the disease and its treatment informatively and readably. In medieval times, many felt that the disorder had a religious basis. Later, puritanism imputed it to sinning, and psychoanalysis "proved" that it had deep psychological roots. Osborn shows that OCD is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and that behavior therapy and drugs, preferably together, can take care of it for most patients; Osborn personalizes this part of the discussion with case histories of individuals rather than stick-figure textbook abstractions. He also mentions new research, such as that which finds a possible link between OCD and childhood streptococcal infections; brain injury and stress may also play causative roles. He concludes with a long list of OCD support groups and other helpful information. William Beatty --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A truly wonderful, compassionate book."
--James W. Broatch, executive director, Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation

"A splendid book on OCD--lively, lucid, informative, and scholarly."
--Ronald Pies, M.D., clinical professor of psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine

"A marvelous achievement--an excellent and very practical overview of OCD and its treatment."
--Jeffrey Schwartz, M.D., associate professor, UCLA School of Medicine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Dell; 1 edition (April 13, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440508479
• ISBN-13: 978-0440508472
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr Osborn is a psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. He has taught psychiatry as a faculty member at Penn State University and the University of New Mexico. He lectures and writes on the subject of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a problem he himself has suffered. Dr Osborn is the author of two books on OCD: Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals: The Secret Epidemic of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Can Christianity Cure Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? A Psychiatrist Explores the Role of Faith in Treatment. The first book explains the nature of OCD and reviews treatments. The latter delves into the relationship between OCD and the Christian faith. For more information on this please see Dr Osborn's website www.ocdandchristianity.com. Dr Osborn can be reached at this email address: [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book for understanding and managing OCD, January 5, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals: The Hidden Epidemic of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Hardcover)

I am a licensed psychologist and a patient with obsessive compulsive symptoms. For over five years I have voraciously consumed the available literature to get help for myself and my clients. This book is a must have. Nothing I have read has been better.

Dr. Osborn's magic is in letting himself shine through as a fellow sufferer who is a deeply compassionate practitioner. His case studies show many of the subtle faces of OCD and give us insight into the suffering this disorder can bring.

A real highlight of the book is when he lets his group therapy patients speak to us through their ten strategies for coping with OCD.

This is a six star book.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dealing With Obsessive Thoughts, September 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals: The Hidden Epidemic of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Paperback)

I have read several book on OCD that dealt mainly with checking rituals. However, I've suffered from obsessive thoughts all my life. I was never able to find a book that satisfied my desire to learn how to deal with these thoughts in a way that made sense to me. Until now! This books has provided me with many suggestions on dealing with unwanted thoughts. Suggestions that have helped. The book deals so much with the experiences of Dr. Osborn's patients, that I felt like I was part of a therapy group. It felt so good hearing the stories of others. I highly suggest this book for anyone fighting those unwanted thoughts.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A diamond among the coal..., September 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals: The Hidden Epidemic of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Paperback)

This is a beautifully written piece of work. Osborn not only explains OCD but he knows it! I myself suffer from OCD and if it weren't for this book I would still be stumbling around in the dark thinking I was crazy. This book is truly unique in the sense that Osborn's own suffering of OCD allows him to truly delve into the heart of the problem and explain it, unlike some others who inadequately attempt to review and explain the disorder without bringing to light the full extent to which it is suffered by millions of people worldwide. Osborn's compassion and understanding of the subject makes this book a must have, not only for all OCD sufferers but all who wish to understand the chemical disorder of Obsessive-Ccompulsive Disorder. A truly awesome book. I recommend it to anyone looking for enlightenment on the subject.