Many people consider obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) a rare psychiatric condition. However, recent studies show otherwise. One in 30 adults suffers from this anxiety disorder. Moreover, one in 100 children experiences the symptoms of OCD. The danger is that it is difficult to tell whether an activity is just a bad habit or a symptom of OCD. Thus understanding this condition better can be very helpful in making sure that we and any of our family members do not have OCD.
Fortunately, several books focusing on OCD have been published. These books can be a great tool in detecting and dealing with this disorder. Here are a few of them.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: The Facts
Written by Padmal de Silva and Stanley Rachman, this book is intended as an information source for those with OCD. It can also be very helpful for people who have a family member suffering from this disorder. It provides excellent descriptions of several obsessions and compulsions. It uses many examples and case materials that will surely help you understand the disorder better. The language used is simple and concise. This well-written and well-organized piece of work can also be very useful to those involved in cognitive behavioral therapy. If you are an undergraduate or graduate psychology student, you will find this book extremely beneficial.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: And How to Overcome It
Authored by Frederick Toates and Olga Coshug-Toates, this remarkable book is unique because its primary author is both an expert on OCD and a sufferer at the same time. Dr. Frederik Toates accounts his own suffering, which makes the readers appreciate the book even more. He also provides a detailed analysis of the various treatments available and discusses their effectiveness based on his own experience as a patient and as a psychiatrist. He also describes the nature of the disorder, its causes, effects and symptoms. The book is written in a very readable style, allowing readers to grasp exactly what it aims to say.
Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
If you’re a clinician engaged in treating OCD, this book is for you. Written by Gail S. Steketee, this succinctly written yet very comprehensive book describes the development of behavioral treatment for the disorder. It is a very educational and instructive book ideal for non-behaviorally trained clinicians. Less experienced therapists will find this book a useful reference material. It also provides information on how to make treatments work and illustrative descriptions of symptoms of OCD.
Books on OCD are easily available. Aside from bookstores, there are several books available online. All you have to do is place an order, pay online and wait for your copy to be delivered.