Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder For Dummies
Published on 24. October 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-470-29331-7 (ISBN)
Description
Understand OCD, get the help you need, and start feeling better
Are you - or is someone you love - struggling with OCD? This reassuring, comprehensive guide explains this disorder in clear language, providing the latest information on treatment to help you in the journey from diagnosis to recovery. You'll find the motivation you need to change, tips for handling day-to-day life, and the best ways to offer support to loved ones.
* Learn the ins and outs of OCD - its causes, various forms, symptoms, and the major approaches to treatment
* Improve your way of thinking - connect the dots between triggers, thoughts, and feelings, and dismantle OCD beliefs
* Undo OCD behavior - identify your fears, open yourself to change, delay or alter rituals, and handle setbacks
* Evaluate medications - discover the pros and cons, explore the options, and know when to combine, decrease, or stop medications
* Manage the OCD mind - accept negative thoughts and feelings and connect with the here and now
* Target specific symptoms - from doubting and checking to symmetry and counting to shame and superstitious thinking, apply techniques for overcoming various types of OCD
* Assist others with OCD - recognize symptoms in children and find professional help, support family and friends, and reinforce the right things
Open the book and find:
* Plain-English explanations of the disorder and its symptoms
* The difference between obsessions and compulsions
* Ways to change OCD thinking and behavior
* How to choose the right mental-health professional
* The latest scientifically based research on treatment
* Tools to help track progress
* The warning signs of relapse and how to handle it
* Tips on treating OCD-related disorders
Are you - or is someone you love - struggling with OCD? This reassuring, comprehensive guide explains this disorder in clear language, providing the latest information on treatment to help you in the journey from diagnosis to recovery. You'll find the motivation you need to change, tips for handling day-to-day life, and the best ways to offer support to loved ones.
* Learn the ins and outs of OCD - its causes, various forms, symptoms, and the major approaches to treatment
* Improve your way of thinking - connect the dots between triggers, thoughts, and feelings, and dismantle OCD beliefs
* Undo OCD behavior - identify your fears, open yourself to change, delay or alter rituals, and handle setbacks
* Evaluate medications - discover the pros and cons, explore the options, and know when to combine, decrease, or stop medications
* Manage the OCD mind - accept negative thoughts and feelings and connect with the here and now
* Target specific symptoms - from doubting and checking to symmetry and counting to shame and superstitious thinking, apply techniques for overcoming various types of OCD
* Assist others with OCD - recognize symptoms in children and find professional help, support family and friends, and reinforce the right things
Open the book and find:
* Plain-English explanations of the disorder and its symptoms
* The difference between obsessions and compulsions
* Ways to change OCD thinking and behavior
* How to choose the right mental-health professional
* The latest scientifically based research on treatment
* Tools to help track progress
* The warning signs of relapse and how to handle it
* Tips on treating OCD-related disorders
More details
Other editions
New editions
Additional editions
Charles H. Elliott | Laura L. Smith
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder For Dummies
E-Book
11/2008
Wiley
€13.99
Available for download
Charles H. Elliott | Laura L. Smith
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder For Dummies
E-Book
11/2008
Wiley
€13.99
Available for download
Persons
Charles H. Elliott, Ph.D. (Corrales, New Mexico) is a clinical psychologist and a Founding Fellow in the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. He is also a member of the faculty at Fielding Graduate University. He specializes in the treatment of adolescents and adults with obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, anger, depression, and personality disorders. He presents nationally and internationally on new developments in the assessment and therapy of emotional disorders.
Laura L. Smith, Ph.D. (Corrales, New Mexico) is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of adults and children with obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and learning disorders. She is often asked to provide consultations to attorneys, school districts, and governmental agencies. She presents workshops on cognitive therapy and mental health issues to national and international audiences.
Laura L. Smith, Ph.D. (Corrales, New Mexico) is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of adults and children with obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and learning disorders. She is often asked to provide consultations to attorneys, school districts, and governmental agencies. She presents workshops on cognitive therapy and mental health issues to national and international audiences.
Content
Introduction 1
About This Book 2
An Important Message to Our Readers 2
Conventions Used in This Book 2
What Not to Read 3
Foolish Assumptions 3
How This Book Is Organized 4
Part I: The Ins and Outs of OCD 4
Part II: Starting Down the Treatment Path 4
Part III: Overcoming OCD 4
Part IV: Targeting Specifi c Symptoms of OCD 5
Part V: Assisting Others with OCD 5
Part VI: The Part of Tens 5
Part VII: Appendixes 5
Icons Used in This Book 6
Where to Go from Here 6
Part I: The Ins and Outs of OCD 7
Chapter 1: Reviewing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 9
What Is OCD? 10
Suffering shame 10
Wrestling with risk 11
Counting the Costs of OCD 12
Encouraging OCD through the Media 12
Exploring Treatment Options for OCD 14
Changing the way you think with CBT 15
Approaching OCD mindfully 15
Modifying behavior through ERP 16
Controlling OCD with medications 17
Helping People with OCD 18
Chapter 2: Scrutinizing OCD 21
Coming to Terms with What OCD Is 22
The OCD anxiety cycle 22
Thinking and believing 24
Inspecting impulses 25
Seeing the Two Sides of OCD 25
Obsessing about obsessions 26
Considering compulsions 28
Categorizing the Types of OCD 29
Doubts, fears, and uncertainties 30
Contamination, germs, and dirt 31
Collecting and hoarding 32
Shame, embarrassment, and inappropriate thoughts and behaviors 32
Superstitions and rituals 34
Symmetry and perfectionism 34
Separating OCD from Normal Worries 35
Getting to a Diagnosis of OCD 36
Avoiding self-diagnosis 37
Avoiding misdiagnosis 38
Chapter 3: Meeting the Relatives and Associates of OCD 39
Meeting the Relatives of OCD 40
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD): A seriously distorted self-image 40
Hyochondriasis: "I think I'm really sick" 42
Trichotillomania: Pulling your hair out 43
Ties and Tourette's Syndrome: Involuntary sound and movements 44
Skin-picking and nail-biting 46
Eating disorders: Intense fear of fat 48
Impulse control disorders: Unstoppable bad habits 49
Recognizing Associates of OCD 50
Mood disorders 51
Anxiety disorders 51
Attention deficit disorders (ADD) 52
Substance abuse 52
Personality disorders 52
Chapter 4: Blaming the Brain for OCD 55
Looking at the Brain's Role in OCD 55
Connecting genetics with OCD 56
Getting inside your head 56
Exploring Four Regions of the Brain 58
Hiding out with the hindbrain 58
Minding the midbrain 59
Deciphering the diencephalon 60
Finding the forebrain 60
Tracing the Brain's Circuitry 62
Transmitting Thoughts between Brain Cells 64
Using electricity and chemicals to communicate 64
Singling out serotonin and dopamine 65
Chapter 5: Developing and Reinforcing OCD 67
Developing OCD as a Child or Adult 67
Developing OCD early 68
Developing OCD as an adult 72
Reinforcing OCD with Positives and Negatives 73
Supporting OCD with positive reinforcement 73
Supporting OCD with negative reinforcement 74
Combining positive and negative reinforcement: A double whammy 75
Worsening OCD with Bad Thinking 76
Exaggerating risk 78
Not accepting uncertainty 78
Needing everything perfect 79
Controlling thoughts 79
Being too responsible 79
Viewing thoughts as real 80
Thinking magically and illogically 80
Part II: Starting Down the Treatment Path 81
Chapter 6: Overcoming OCD Obstacles to Change 83
Realizing Resistance is Futile 83
Fearing treatment 84
Handicapping against treatment success 88
Believing the worst about yourself 91
Seeing that Resistance Can Be Overcome and Change Is Good 93
Embracing the process of change 93
Defeating self-handicapping 95
Dismantling change-blocking beliefs 98
Taking one step at a time 100
Chapter 7: Getting Help for OCD 101
Going After the Types of Help You Need 101
Educating yourself about OCD 102
Getting support from family, friends, and others 103
Choosing a professional to help you 104
Understanding What to Expect in Therapy 108
Keeping your therapy private 109
Digging deep into an OCD diagnosis 110
Speaking the truth to your therapist 111
Evaluating your therapist 111
Part III: Overcoming OCD 113
Chapter 8: Cleaning Up OCD Thinking with a CBT Reality Check 115
Realigning Interpretations with Reality 116
Seeing common types of OCD distortions 116
Using CBT to correct distorted thinking 116
Defeating unreasonable doubts 117
Ending exaggerating risk 121
Rethinking the idea that thoughts have real power 123
Unconfusing facts and feelings 125
Overcoming the need for perfection 126
Sidestepping obsessive thoughts 126
Letting go of feeling excessively responsible 128
Pushing Out OCD Thinking with New Narratives 131
Creating made-up, OCD-like stories 133
Writing down your OCD narratives 134
Assessing and rewriting OCD narratives 135
Chapter 9: Managing the OCD Mind 139
Separating Your Thoughts from Who You Are 139
Acquiring the Attitudes of Mindfulness 142
Making time to be mindful 142
Pursuing patience 143
Letting go of striving for striving's sake 143
Discovering acceptance 144
Suspending judgment about emotions 145
Living in the now 146
Minding Meditation 148
Breathing meditation 148
Walking meditation 150
Chapter 10: Tackling OCD Behavior with ERP 153
Exposing the Basics and Benefits of ERP 153
Understanding why and how ERP works 154
Seeing the upsides and downsides of ERP 156
Exploring an alternative when ERP isn't appropriate 157
Working through ERP Therapy 158
Determining your OCD theme 158
Tallying up your OCD triggers and assigning Ugh Factor Ratings 159
Placing your OCD triggers on an ERP staircase 162
Preparing to engage in ERP 166
Stepping up through your triggers with ERP 166
Managing the ERP Process 169
Knowing what's cheating and what's not 170
Troubleshooting ERP 171
Rewarding yourself 174
Limiting ERP 174
Chapter 11: Considering Medications for OCD 175
Deciding whether Medication Is Right for Your OCD 175
Getting a thorough check-up 176
Coming clean with your doctor about your health and medications 176
Looking at reasons for medicating your OCD 177
Understanding the side effects and risks of medications 179
Looking at Your OCD Medication Options 180
Seeking serotonin with SSRIs 181
Trying tricyclics 182
Adding other medications 182
Chapter 12: Responding to and Recovering from Relapse 185
Knowing the Risks of Relapse 186
Medication relapse rates 186
ERP relapse rates 187
CBT and mindfulness relapse rates 187
Responding Well to Relapse 187
Strategies for Reducing Relapse 188
Knowing the difference between a lapse and a relapse 189
Prolonging treatment 190
Phasing out your sessions gradually 191
Staging a fire drill 191
Remaining vigilant 192
Zeroing in on especially problematic beliefs 193
Recognizing events that trigger relapse 194
Part IV: Targeting Specific Symptoms of OCD 197
Chapter 13: Dealing with Doubting and Checking OCD 199
Defining Categories of Doubting 200
Harming your home through negligence 200
Harming others through negligence 201
Harming others with your car through negligence 202
Harming your health through negligence 203
Categorizing Approaches to Checking 204
Obvious or overt checking 204
Mental checking 204
Getting others to check 205
Taking Steps to Defeat Doubting and Control Checking 205
1 Searching for signals, triggers, and avoidance 205
2 Identifying obsessional doubts 206
3 Compiling compulsions 206
4 Disputing obsessional doubts 208
5 Applying ERP to doubting and checking 210
Chapter 14: Subduing OCD-Driven Shame 213
Surveying Shaming OCD 213
Being afraid of losing control 214
Questioning established sexual identity 217
Taking religious or moral beliefs to the extreme 218
Treating Shaming OCD 219
Changing OCD thinking by challenging the evidence 219
Using ERP to change shaming OCD behavior 221
Complementary Treatments for OCD Shaming 224
Revealing to others 224
Experimenting with being "off duty" 225
Experimenting with self-critical versus self-accepting views 226
Chapter 15: Messing with "Just So" OCD 227
Being Driven to Make Things "Just So" All the Time 227
Enforcing order and symmetry on life 229
Trying to get it right by repeating and redoing 230
Taking Steps to Change "Just So" OCD 231
Rearranging your thinking 232
Redoing your responses to repeating 235
Chapter 16: Throwing Out OCD: Hoarding 237
Defining Hoarding OCD 237
Describing characteristics of hoarding 238
Seeing the consequences of hoarding 239
Uncovering problems in thinking 241
Assembling uncommon collections 242
Treating Hoarding OCD 243
Tallying up the costs and benefits 244
Questioning beliefs about hoarding 246
Tackling thoughts that fuel accumulating 248
Learning to organize 249
Developing New Strategies for Keeping and Tossing Things 249
Resisting accumulating 250
Imagining tossing stuff out 250
Doing a real cleanup 251
Chapter 17: Shrinking Superstitious OCD 255
Seeing When Superstitions Constitute OCD 255
Revealing Common OCD Superstitions and Rituals 257
Changing Thinking about OCD Superstitions 259
Creating competing superstitions 260
Managing discomfort differently 262
Defl ating the Power of OCD Superstitions with ERP 263
Facing off with scary superstitions 263
Defeating the power of superstitious charms 264
Chapter 18: Uncovering OCD Accomplices 267
Concerning Counting 267
Miscounting on purpose 269
Resisting the act of counting 269
Taking Charge of Touching 270
Messing with your touching 270
Discontinuing touching 271
Doing Away with Doodling 271
Doodling in different ways 271
Denying the urge to doodle 272
Speeding Up Slowness 272
Mixing things up 273
Speeding things up 274
Chapter 19: Dealing with OCD-Related Impulsive Problems 275
Changing Behavior to Reduce Impulsive Problems 276
Increasing awareness of your impulsive problems 277
Relaxing away impulsive problems 277
Sidetracking impulsive problems with something different 280
Reinforcing positive gains in overcoming impulsive problems 281
Changing Thinking to Reduce Impulsive Problems 281
Finding reasons to change 282
Pushing hopelessness aside 282
Undoing unfairness worries 284
Designing supportive self-statements 284
Applying ERP to Impulsive Problems 284
Treating Impulsive Problems with Medication 285
Part V: Assisting Others with OCD 287
Chapter 20: Determining Whether Your Child Has OCD 289
Understanding Childhood OCD 289
Recognizing possible symptoms 290
Ruling out normal growth and health issues 291
Sorting through other childhood disorders 291
Observing the Effects of OCD 294
Having problems at home 294
Experiencing problems at school 295
Having difficulties with friends 295
Finding the Right Help for Your Child 296
Chapter 21: Helping Your Child Overcome OCD 297
Separating Who Your Child Is from the OCD 297
Helping Your Child and Working with the Therapist 299
Parenting differently and not being the therapist 299
Managing your emotions 301
Working with the therapist 301
Explaining OCD to Family, Friends, and Schoolmates 305
Chapter 22: Helping Family and Friends
Overcome OCD with Coaching 307
Discerning What It Takes to Be a Coach 307
Understanding how OCD challenges you 309
Assessing whether you're the right person to coach 309
Knowing your limits 310
Applying Appropriate Coaching Techniques 310
Recognizing OCD's dirty tricks 311
Coaching with kindness 312
Part VI: The Part of Tens 317
Chapter 23: Ten Quick OCD Tricks 319
Breathing Better 319
Considering a Delay 320
Distracting Yourself 320
Accepting Discomfort 320
Counting Every Exposure 321
Realizing It's Not You, It's Your OCD 321
Making Flashcards 321
Going to an Online Support Group 322
Minding Meditation 322
Taking a Hot Bath 322
Chapter 24: Ten Steps to Take After You Get Better 323
Forgiving Yourself 323
Searching for Meaning 324
Strengthening Family Ties 325
Finding Friends 325
Reaching Out to Others with OCD 325
Helping Others 326
Benefiting from Exercise 326
Learning New Skills 327
Pursuing Hobbies 327
Finding Healthy Pleasures 328
Chapter 25: Ten Dirty Little Secrets about Dirt 329
Defining Dirt 329
Living Dirt 329
Digging Dirt 330
Dirt Just Isn't What It Used to Be 330
Chimps Who Eat Dirt 330
Speaking of Washing Off Dirt 330
Building with Dirt 331
People Who Eat Dirt 331
Kids Who Eat Dirt 331
Pica 332
Part VII: Appendixes 333
Appendix A: Resources For You Books about OCD for the Public 335
Books about OCD for Professionals 336
Books about Anxiety and Depression 336
Trusted Web Sites for OCD and Other Issues 337
Appendix B: Forms to Use Against OCD 339
Cost/Benefi t Analysis 339
Monitoring Self-Handicapping 340
Exposure Staircase 342
Climbing and Checking Your ERP Progress Form 342
Index 345
About This Book 2
An Important Message to Our Readers 2
Conventions Used in This Book 2
What Not to Read 3
Foolish Assumptions 3
How This Book Is Organized 4
Part I: The Ins and Outs of OCD 4
Part II: Starting Down the Treatment Path 4
Part III: Overcoming OCD 4
Part IV: Targeting Specifi c Symptoms of OCD 5
Part V: Assisting Others with OCD 5
Part VI: The Part of Tens 5
Part VII: Appendixes 5
Icons Used in This Book 6
Where to Go from Here 6
Part I: The Ins and Outs of OCD 7
Chapter 1: Reviewing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 9
What Is OCD? 10
Suffering shame 10
Wrestling with risk 11
Counting the Costs of OCD 12
Encouraging OCD through the Media 12
Exploring Treatment Options for OCD 14
Changing the way you think with CBT 15
Approaching OCD mindfully 15
Modifying behavior through ERP 16
Controlling OCD with medications 17
Helping People with OCD 18
Chapter 2: Scrutinizing OCD 21
Coming to Terms with What OCD Is 22
The OCD anxiety cycle 22
Thinking and believing 24
Inspecting impulses 25
Seeing the Two Sides of OCD 25
Obsessing about obsessions 26
Considering compulsions 28
Categorizing the Types of OCD 29
Doubts, fears, and uncertainties 30
Contamination, germs, and dirt 31
Collecting and hoarding 32
Shame, embarrassment, and inappropriate thoughts and behaviors 32
Superstitions and rituals 34
Symmetry and perfectionism 34
Separating OCD from Normal Worries 35
Getting to a Diagnosis of OCD 36
Avoiding self-diagnosis 37
Avoiding misdiagnosis 38
Chapter 3: Meeting the Relatives and Associates of OCD 39
Meeting the Relatives of OCD 40
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD): A seriously distorted self-image 40
Hyochondriasis: "I think I'm really sick" 42
Trichotillomania: Pulling your hair out 43
Ties and Tourette's Syndrome: Involuntary sound and movements 44
Skin-picking and nail-biting 46
Eating disorders: Intense fear of fat 48
Impulse control disorders: Unstoppable bad habits 49
Recognizing Associates of OCD 50
Mood disorders 51
Anxiety disorders 51
Attention deficit disorders (ADD) 52
Substance abuse 52
Personality disorders 52
Chapter 4: Blaming the Brain for OCD 55
Looking at the Brain's Role in OCD 55
Connecting genetics with OCD 56
Getting inside your head 56
Exploring Four Regions of the Brain 58
Hiding out with the hindbrain 58
Minding the midbrain 59
Deciphering the diencephalon 60
Finding the forebrain 60
Tracing the Brain's Circuitry 62
Transmitting Thoughts between Brain Cells 64
Using electricity and chemicals to communicate 64
Singling out serotonin and dopamine 65
Chapter 5: Developing and Reinforcing OCD 67
Developing OCD as a Child or Adult 67
Developing OCD early 68
Developing OCD as an adult 72
Reinforcing OCD with Positives and Negatives 73
Supporting OCD with positive reinforcement 73
Supporting OCD with negative reinforcement 74
Combining positive and negative reinforcement: A double whammy 75
Worsening OCD with Bad Thinking 76
Exaggerating risk 78
Not accepting uncertainty 78
Needing everything perfect 79
Controlling thoughts 79
Being too responsible 79
Viewing thoughts as real 80
Thinking magically and illogically 80
Part II: Starting Down the Treatment Path 81
Chapter 6: Overcoming OCD Obstacles to Change 83
Realizing Resistance is Futile 83
Fearing treatment 84
Handicapping against treatment success 88
Believing the worst about yourself 91
Seeing that Resistance Can Be Overcome and Change Is Good 93
Embracing the process of change 93
Defeating self-handicapping 95
Dismantling change-blocking beliefs 98
Taking one step at a time 100
Chapter 7: Getting Help for OCD 101
Going After the Types of Help You Need 101
Educating yourself about OCD 102
Getting support from family, friends, and others 103
Choosing a professional to help you 104
Understanding What to Expect in Therapy 108
Keeping your therapy private 109
Digging deep into an OCD diagnosis 110
Speaking the truth to your therapist 111
Evaluating your therapist 111
Part III: Overcoming OCD 113
Chapter 8: Cleaning Up OCD Thinking with a CBT Reality Check 115
Realigning Interpretations with Reality 116
Seeing common types of OCD distortions 116
Using CBT to correct distorted thinking 116
Defeating unreasonable doubts 117
Ending exaggerating risk 121
Rethinking the idea that thoughts have real power 123
Unconfusing facts and feelings 125
Overcoming the need for perfection 126
Sidestepping obsessive thoughts 126
Letting go of feeling excessively responsible 128
Pushing Out OCD Thinking with New Narratives 131
Creating made-up, OCD-like stories 133
Writing down your OCD narratives 134
Assessing and rewriting OCD narratives 135
Chapter 9: Managing the OCD Mind 139
Separating Your Thoughts from Who You Are 139
Acquiring the Attitudes of Mindfulness 142
Making time to be mindful 142
Pursuing patience 143
Letting go of striving for striving's sake 143
Discovering acceptance 144
Suspending judgment about emotions 145
Living in the now 146
Minding Meditation 148
Breathing meditation 148
Walking meditation 150
Chapter 10: Tackling OCD Behavior with ERP 153
Exposing the Basics and Benefits of ERP 153
Understanding why and how ERP works 154
Seeing the upsides and downsides of ERP 156
Exploring an alternative when ERP isn't appropriate 157
Working through ERP Therapy 158
Determining your OCD theme 158
Tallying up your OCD triggers and assigning Ugh Factor Ratings 159
Placing your OCD triggers on an ERP staircase 162
Preparing to engage in ERP 166
Stepping up through your triggers with ERP 166
Managing the ERP Process 169
Knowing what's cheating and what's not 170
Troubleshooting ERP 171
Rewarding yourself 174
Limiting ERP 174
Chapter 11: Considering Medications for OCD 175
Deciding whether Medication Is Right for Your OCD 175
Getting a thorough check-up 176
Coming clean with your doctor about your health and medications 176
Looking at reasons for medicating your OCD 177
Understanding the side effects and risks of medications 179
Looking at Your OCD Medication Options 180
Seeking serotonin with SSRIs 181
Trying tricyclics 182
Adding other medications 182
Chapter 12: Responding to and Recovering from Relapse 185
Knowing the Risks of Relapse 186
Medication relapse rates 186
ERP relapse rates 187
CBT and mindfulness relapse rates 187
Responding Well to Relapse 187
Strategies for Reducing Relapse 188
Knowing the difference between a lapse and a relapse 189
Prolonging treatment 190
Phasing out your sessions gradually 191
Staging a fire drill 191
Remaining vigilant 192
Zeroing in on especially problematic beliefs 193
Recognizing events that trigger relapse 194
Part IV: Targeting Specific Symptoms of OCD 197
Chapter 13: Dealing with Doubting and Checking OCD 199
Defining Categories of Doubting 200
Harming your home through negligence 200
Harming others through negligence 201
Harming others with your car through negligence 202
Harming your health through negligence 203
Categorizing Approaches to Checking 204
Obvious or overt checking 204
Mental checking 204
Getting others to check 205
Taking Steps to Defeat Doubting and Control Checking 205
1 Searching for signals, triggers, and avoidance 205
2 Identifying obsessional doubts 206
3 Compiling compulsions 206
4 Disputing obsessional doubts 208
5 Applying ERP to doubting and checking 210
Chapter 14: Subduing OCD-Driven Shame 213
Surveying Shaming OCD 213
Being afraid of losing control 214
Questioning established sexual identity 217
Taking religious or moral beliefs to the extreme 218
Treating Shaming OCD 219
Changing OCD thinking by challenging the evidence 219
Using ERP to change shaming OCD behavior 221
Complementary Treatments for OCD Shaming 224
Revealing to others 224
Experimenting with being "off duty" 225
Experimenting with self-critical versus self-accepting views 226
Chapter 15: Messing with "Just So" OCD 227
Being Driven to Make Things "Just So" All the Time 227
Enforcing order and symmetry on life 229
Trying to get it right by repeating and redoing 230
Taking Steps to Change "Just So" OCD 231
Rearranging your thinking 232
Redoing your responses to repeating 235
Chapter 16: Throwing Out OCD: Hoarding 237
Defining Hoarding OCD 237
Describing characteristics of hoarding 238
Seeing the consequences of hoarding 239
Uncovering problems in thinking 241
Assembling uncommon collections 242
Treating Hoarding OCD 243
Tallying up the costs and benefits 244
Questioning beliefs about hoarding 246
Tackling thoughts that fuel accumulating 248
Learning to organize 249
Developing New Strategies for Keeping and Tossing Things 249
Resisting accumulating 250
Imagining tossing stuff out 250
Doing a real cleanup 251
Chapter 17: Shrinking Superstitious OCD 255
Seeing When Superstitions Constitute OCD 255
Revealing Common OCD Superstitions and Rituals 257
Changing Thinking about OCD Superstitions 259
Creating competing superstitions 260
Managing discomfort differently 262
Defl ating the Power of OCD Superstitions with ERP 263
Facing off with scary superstitions 263
Defeating the power of superstitious charms 264
Chapter 18: Uncovering OCD Accomplices 267
Concerning Counting 267
Miscounting on purpose 269
Resisting the act of counting 269
Taking Charge of Touching 270
Messing with your touching 270
Discontinuing touching 271
Doing Away with Doodling 271
Doodling in different ways 271
Denying the urge to doodle 272
Speeding Up Slowness 272
Mixing things up 273
Speeding things up 274
Chapter 19: Dealing with OCD-Related Impulsive Problems 275
Changing Behavior to Reduce Impulsive Problems 276
Increasing awareness of your impulsive problems 277
Relaxing away impulsive problems 277
Sidetracking impulsive problems with something different 280
Reinforcing positive gains in overcoming impulsive problems 281
Changing Thinking to Reduce Impulsive Problems 281
Finding reasons to change 282
Pushing hopelessness aside 282
Undoing unfairness worries 284
Designing supportive self-statements 284
Applying ERP to Impulsive Problems 284
Treating Impulsive Problems with Medication 285
Part V: Assisting Others with OCD 287
Chapter 20: Determining Whether Your Child Has OCD 289
Understanding Childhood OCD 289
Recognizing possible symptoms 290
Ruling out normal growth and health issues 291
Sorting through other childhood disorders 291
Observing the Effects of OCD 294
Having problems at home 294
Experiencing problems at school 295
Having difficulties with friends 295
Finding the Right Help for Your Child 296
Chapter 21: Helping Your Child Overcome OCD 297
Separating Who Your Child Is from the OCD 297
Helping Your Child and Working with the Therapist 299
Parenting differently and not being the therapist 299
Managing your emotions 301
Working with the therapist 301
Explaining OCD to Family, Friends, and Schoolmates 305
Chapter 22: Helping Family and Friends
Overcome OCD with Coaching 307
Discerning What It Takes to Be a Coach 307
Understanding how OCD challenges you 309
Assessing whether you're the right person to coach 309
Knowing your limits 310
Applying Appropriate Coaching Techniques 310
Recognizing OCD's dirty tricks 311
Coaching with kindness 312
Part VI: The Part of Tens 317
Chapter 23: Ten Quick OCD Tricks 319
Breathing Better 319
Considering a Delay 320
Distracting Yourself 320
Accepting Discomfort 320
Counting Every Exposure 321
Realizing It's Not You, It's Your OCD 321
Making Flashcards 321
Going to an Online Support Group 322
Minding Meditation 322
Taking a Hot Bath 322
Chapter 24: Ten Steps to Take After You Get Better 323
Forgiving Yourself 323
Searching for Meaning 324
Strengthening Family Ties 325
Finding Friends 325
Reaching Out to Others with OCD 325
Helping Others 326
Benefiting from Exercise 326
Learning New Skills 327
Pursuing Hobbies 327
Finding Healthy Pleasures 328
Chapter 25: Ten Dirty Little Secrets about Dirt 329
Defining Dirt 329
Living Dirt 329
Digging Dirt 330
Dirt Just Isn't What It Used to Be 330
Chimps Who Eat Dirt 330
Speaking of Washing Off Dirt 330
Building with Dirt 331
People Who Eat Dirt 331
Kids Who Eat Dirt 331
Pica 332
Part VII: Appendixes 333
Appendix A: Resources For You Books about OCD for the Public 335
Books about OCD for Professionals 336
Books about Anxiety and Depression 336
Trusted Web Sites for OCD and Other Issues 337
Appendix B: Forms to Use Against OCD 339
Cost/Benefi t Analysis 339
Monitoring Self-Handicapping 340
Exposure Staircase 342
Climbing and Checking Your ERP Progress Form 342
Index 345