Jump directly to:
Please note: The information on this page should not be construed as medical advice, nor should it be used to diagnose or treat any condition. The content on this page is written by recovered OCD sufferers, not by clinicians. Read More
Best OCD Books to Help You Understand and Manage Your Disorder
If you live with OCD, it can be challenging to understand what you feel and why. That’s the reason why books about OCD can be helpful. These books offer insight into the disorder and strategies for managing it. This blog post will discuss some of the best OCD books available today. We will also provide a brief overview of each book to decide which one is right for you.
Books about living with OCD
There are many different types of OCD, and each class can be present in different ways. Some people with OCD might have intrusive thoughts about harm coming to themselves or others. Other people might obsessively worry about germs and contamination. And still, others might compulsively hoard objects or engage in repetitive behaviors like tapping or counting.
There is some evidence that suggests reading can help improve OCD symptoms. In one study, researchers found that participants who read self-help books about OCD experienced a reduction in their OCD symptoms.
The most helpful books provided information about the disorder, advised how to manage it, and discussed strategies for coping with stress. No matter what type of OCD you have, reading can be a great way to gain insight into your disorder and learn how to manage it. Reading can also provide helpful information and coping strategies for dealing with OCD.
Best books about OCD?
Many good OCD books can help you understand and manage your OCD. Here are just a few of the those that people found to be most useful.
OCD Workbook
Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Bruce Hyman and Cherry Pedrick. This book is a comprehensive guide that covers different aspects of OCD. It helps readers identify their triggers and develop strategies to overcome them. Moreover, it is an excellent resource for people with all types of OCD, including those who do not respond well to medication or therapy. The book offers practical advice and coping strategies.
The Imp of the Mind
Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts by Dr. Lee Baer. This book is an excellent resource for understanding OCD and other anxiety disorders. It’s written in an easy-to-read style that makes it perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about these conditions. It is also ideal for anyone who wants to understand and manage their OCD.
The Happiness Trap
How to Stop Struggling and Start Living; by Russ Harris. If you’re looking for a book that will help you understand and manage your anxiety, this is a perfect choice. It’s full of helpful information and practical tips for living a happier life. It focuses on how acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can help you free yourself from the debilitating thoughts and anxiety you experience as an OCD sufferer.
OCD books for therapists
Most OCD-related books can be helpful for anyone reading them, no matter whether they are a patient or a therapist. However, below are some examples that provide more insight into OCD and can be highly useful for therapists to understand their patients better.
Brain Lock
Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior; by Jeffrey M. Schwartz is another excellent resource for people with OCD. In his book, Schwartz, a psychiatrist, and researcher provides readers with a four-step program to help them break free from their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. This program has been proven effective in treating OCD, making “Brain Lock” an essential read for anyone looking for help managing their disorder.
Overcoming Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
A self-help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques; by David Veale and Robert Willson. This book provides an in-depth look at OCD, including its causes and treatment options. It also involves clinical practices which aim at making you control your thoughts.
Exposure and Response (Ritual) Prevention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Therapist Guide by Edna Foa, Elna Yadin, and Tracey Lichner. This book offers practical tools and exercises that can help OCD sufferer manage their symptoms. It includes a lot of theoretical information and further research about multiple OCD diagnoses. Furthermore, it offers a great piece of helpful information about case examples and assignments that cover all nuances of OCD.
OCD books for parents
Below are some of the most helpful books for parents who have a child suffering from OCD. Those pieces of research should give all the necessary information for understanding and managing OCD symptoms in children.
Overcoming Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
A Guide for the newly diagnosed; by Michael Tompkins. This book provides a comprehensive overview of OCD, from its causes to its treatment options. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about this disorder. It is beneficial for children who suffer from anxiety disorders, including OCD.
The Boy Who Couldn’t Stop Washing
The Experience and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; by Judith L. Rapoport is one of the most comprehensive books on OCD available today. A child psychiatrist draws on her own clinical experience to look at the condition in-depth. She covers everything from symptoms and diagnosis to treatment options, making this an essential read for anyone struggling with OCD.
Helping Your Child with OCD:
A Workbook for Parents of Children with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; by Lee Fitzgibbons. This workbook provides information on identifying OCD in children and tips and techniques for helping them manage their symptoms.
Books about OCD for young adults
OCD is prevalent in all ages, and it can be incredibly confusing for youngsters and teenagers. Therefore, the suggestions below would help young adults better understand this condition.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook; by Edmund J. Bourne. This workbook is an excellent resource for anyone with anxiety disorders, including OCD. It includes self-help exercises and information on different treatment options, as well as case studies of people who have overcome their OCD.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower; by Stephen Chbosky. This novel follows the story of Charlie, a high school student struggling with a mental illness. The book is an honest and moving portrayal of what it’s like to be different and how therapy and medication can help.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; by Mark Haddon. Christopher Boone narrates this award-winning mystery novel, a 15-year-old boy with Asperger’s Syndrome and behavioral difficulties. The story offers a unique perspective of how a child with a mental disorder tries to understand the world how he perceives it.
We hope that these resources provide you with a better understanding of OCD and its treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling with this disorder, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are many resources available, and with the proper support, it is possible to overcome OCD.
We would love to hear your thoughts on other books that could be helpful for those struggling with OCD. Please comment if you have any other books that I have mist, or if you want to share your thought about the books listed above.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Hi, I’m Ted Robinson. I have been undergoing CBT treatment with great success for the past year. I hope to give hope to other people struggling with mental health issues by telling them about my experience. Read my OCD story.
I was looking for a good book about OCD primarily because my boy was newly diagnosed with the condition. “Helping Your Child with OCD” seems like a valuable read for the situation.
I like the suggestions. I also want to add an excellent book that I read recently. It is called “The Social Anxiety Workbook for Work, Public & Social Life” by David Shanley, and it helps OCD sufferers deal with social anxiety in all life areas.
Sounds like an exciting read. What is the best self-help book about OCD that you have read so far?
This is almost impossible to answer. I liked the one I posted above because it can be tremendously helpful if you follow the practices given for each situation. Read it first, and then I will provide you with other suggestions.
What about writing books? I find writing novels extremely relaxing and fulfilling. I recently wrote my first ebook also. Somehow creating makes me feel better than consuming (reading) something. Or maybe it’s just me.