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

by Ian Osborn

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

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

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Health, Self Help, Science

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Anthony Mazzorana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indispensable reading for anyone who suffers from or lives with someone suffering from OCD. I agree with other reviewers who said that this was a very accessible, compassionate book. Dr. Osborn writes from the viewpoint of both sufferer and helper. Truly compassionate. Awesome book.

[Teatum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually don't read books like this, but this was a great supplement to an article I read recently. Easy reading, great writing style, helped me understand OCD a lot more.

[Moon Captain · Rating 4 out of 5]

OCD sounds absolutely awful. Of all the books I grabbed on the subject, this one was the most readable. I learned a lot.

[Andrew Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good! Very clearly explains the logic and experience of OCD which will help sufferers, friends/family, and pastors. He has very exhaustive training, making many helpful off-handed comments and giving beneficial examples. He also explains ERP in a way that will really serve pastors who can utilize this while they also seek to counsel Biblically. His strategies for fighting OCD and his comments on how it can work out in the family were also very good.

Qualifications:
1) He probably overemphasizes OCD being a brain disorder. This is certainly the case and needs to be talked about. However, he seems to overemphasize this fact.
2) Similarly, Osborn is a Christian but he doesn't really show how what he is saying integrates into Scripture. Much of what he says can be clearly drawn from Scripture (e.g. resisting compulsions is an act of faith in God to care for you) but it isn't drawn out. Pastors should draw these connections as they counsel people.
3) Though Osborn provides insight into the use of medication, pastors ought not prescribe medication without medical consultation.
4) You can really just read the prologue-ch. 8

[Kit Snicket · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very informative book about obsessive compulsive disorder. Although I read this book as someone who has OCD, I feel like this book would be well geared towards medical and mental health professionals who want to learn more about the disorder to help them in their professional work.

Throughout the book the author shares stories of cases she encountered in her work and she goes into detail about treatment options and medications available to treat OCD. The book could be a little fry and technical or what you were looking for is a story, but if you wanted to know some in depth facts, then this is the book for you.

It is through this book that I got a better understanding of how the thought processes unfold for someone with OCD and the varying types of compulsions and obsessions we might have. It was helpful in expanding my knowledge of how these unhelpful thought processes and behaviours could be changed.

Ultimately this book provided hope in the dark for people living with this debilitating disorder. It is an older book so some of the information has likely improved and been expanded on, but this is, in my mind, a fundamental text in understanding OCD. I would suggest this book to others dealing with OCD, and I have already suggested it to professionals.

[David Selsby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. "Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals" was published in 1998. Even thought it is 26 years old, it's held up quite well. Ian Osborn has written a very thorough book, from detailing the best ways OCD is dealt with (medication and CBT, specifically ERP--that hasn't changed in 26 years), to compelling case studies, and abridged histories of psychiatry and how mental illness has been handled over the ages. All in all, it's a good read and worth your time. One qualm I have is the silly neologism "OCDer" Osborn uses it to refer to those who suffer from OCD. What a graceless term. And he repeats the term over and over and over. Clearly he thinks it's apt and succinct, but it grates. I've been reviewing some of my old OCD books, and I'm glad I read "Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals" (I might read "Brainlock" or "Stop Obsessing" next). For books published more recently, I recommend anything written by Jon Hershfield. He has a gift for compelling ways of conceptualizing OCD and for powerful metaphors to aid those who are in the fight against OCD.

[Karan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is quite old, true, but the content in it are still (mostly) not outdated. You can learn about the OCD like its symptoms (in context), possible causes, and its treatment. Author also compares OCD with some OCD-like diseases as well to set boundaries between what is and what is not. He gives some good tips to manage the symptoms as well. Also, he dwells into the history of OCD and its related psychology which I really liked (I mostly dislike those stuff.) All in all, a good book.

[Jennifer Deligiorgakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fascinating read. As someone who suffers from OCD and did quite severely in the past, it was almost a welcomed relief to read. Osborn explains a number of complicated psychological theories very simply so that the average person can understand. My only regret is that I didn’t read this book earlier.

[Shannon Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish it all the way because I was a bit triggered as a person with OCD. Reading about other peoples experiences is helpful, but often times their issues worm their way into my brain in a destructive way.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a helpful introduction to dealing with OCD from a general point of view.

[Reix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book, not just for psychologists, psychiatrists, etc., but also for people affected by OCD, their related ones or anyone interested in knowing about OCD, its causes and its treatment.

[ThymeOperator · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good detailed explanation / examination of OCD, complete with a list of all the types of symptoms...which is fantastic in letting people know it's more than just hand-washing and counting.

[Frank Schroer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have OCD, this a must read. I feel heard.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A disturbingly real look at life with OCD, written with compassion and understanding.

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As far as outlining the different types of OCD and the variety of treatments, this book was alright. It was interesting to learn that it is more of a physical disease than purely mental. If you're looking for something to make OCD easier to understand, than this is a good book for you. I gave it two stars because the author was too eager to make excuses for religion and suggested that leaning on it to deal with OCD was just as good as other therapies, and I simply don't agree.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a self-help book really by any means and that is why it is so helpful. It may be a little dated but I appreciated reading about a variety of patient experiences suffering from many different symptoms. One stop shop for obtaining actual base-level knowledge and perspective without boring the reader with inaccessible academic mumbo jumbo. Took me a while to finish as I read only when it spoke to me. :)

[Bethany]

ah ocd, how i love thee.

[Beth]

I've read this at least twice and keep it in my library. It really educates the reader that obsessive compulsive disorder is so much more complicated than The Boy who Washes his hands ...

[Katy]

I borrowed this from the library. Ran out of time to finish reading it. I enjoyed what I had read. Hope to finish it in the future.

[Elizabeth Bat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helped me out, i was diagnosed before, but this book also helps family members.

[Z.rob]

made me feel a little less insane
informative and compassionate

great read