Books on OCD

Workbooks for OCD

  • The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" by Bruce M. Hyman and Cherry Pedrick. This workbook includes personal stories and case studies from individuals who have used cognitive-behavioral techniques to manage their OCD symptoms. It offers practical exercises and strategies for overcoming OCD.

  • Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz. Explores OCD from a clinical perspective and includes case studies and personal accounts of individuals with OCD.

Self-help books for OCD
  • Pure o ocd

  • Rewire your ocd brain

  • Taming your amygdala

Autobiographical books about or by individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • "The Man Who Couldn't Stop: OCD and the True Story of a Life Lost in Thought" by David Adam: This memoir chronicles Adam's own struggles with OCD and provides insight into the nature of the disorder and its impact on his life.

  • "Pure" by Rose Cartwright: In this memoir, Cartwright shares her personal journey with Pure-O OCD, a form of OCD characterized by intrusive thoughts and mental rituals. She candidly discusses her experiences and the challenges she faced in seeking treatment and acceptance.

  • "The OCD Stories: Stories That Educate and Inspire Those with OCD" by Stuart Ralph: While not a traditional autobiography, this book features interviews and personal stories from individuals living with OCD, offering firsthand accounts of their experiences, challenges, and recovery journeys.

  • "Life in Rewind: The Story of a Young Courageous Man Who Persevered Over OCD and the Harvard Doctor Who Broke All the Rules to Help Him" by Terry Weible Murphy and Michael A. Jenike: This book tells the story of Ed Zine, a young man with severe OCD, and his journey toward recovery with the help of Dr. Michael Jenike, a psychiatrist who pioneered innovative treatment approaches for OCD.

  • "The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing: The Experience and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" by Judith L. Rapoport: This book provides an in-depth exploration of OCD through case studies and personal narratives, offering insights into the lived experiences of individuals with the disorder and the challenges they face in seeking treatment and support.

  • "Rewind, Replay, Repeat: A Memoir of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder" by Jeff Bell: In this memoir, Bell shares his personal journey with OCD and his quest for understanding, acceptance, and recovery. He offers practical advice and insights for others struggling with OCD based on his own experiences.

  • "Washing My Life Away: Surviving Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" by Ruth Deane: In this memoir, Deane shares her personal journey with OCD, detailing the intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and struggles she faced, as well as her path to recovery and self-acceptance

  • "Obsessed: A Memoir of My Life with OCD" by Allison Britz: Britz recounts her experiences with OCD, including her struggles with intrusive thoughts, rituals, and anxiety. She offers a candid portrayal of living with OCD and the impact it had on her relationships, education, and daily life.

  • "Under the Banana Moon: A True Story of Living, Loving, Loss and Asperger's" by Heidi Bright: While primarily focused on Asperger's syndrome, this memoir also touches on the author's experiences with OCD and how it intersected with her journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

  • "An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness" by Kay Redfield Jamison: While not exclusively about OCD, this memoir by renowned psychiatrist Kay Redfield Jamison offers insights into her experiences with bipolar disorder and touches on the comorbidity of OCD with other mental health conditions.

  • "Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts" by Lee Baer: Baer, a psychologist specializing in OCD, shares case studies and personal anecdotes from individuals struggling with intrusive thoughts and compulsions, providing valuable insights into the experience of living with OCD.

  • "The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy" by Jon Hershfield and Tom Corboy: While not strictly an autobiography, this workbook includes personal stories and insights from individuals who have used mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral techniques to manage their OCD symptoms

  • "The Complete OCD Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" by Jonathan S. Abramowitz: This comprehensive workbook offers practical strategies and exercises for managing OCD, including personal stories and anecdotes from individuals who have benefited from the techniques outlined in the book.

  • "Monkey Mind: A Memoir of Anxiety" by Daniel Smith: While primarily focused on anxiety disorders, this memoir touches on the author's experiences with OCD and provides insights into the intersection of anxiety and OCD symptoms.

  • "OCD Love Story" by Corey Ann Haydu: This young adult novel follows the story of a teenage girl named Bea who struggles with OCD and enters into a complicated relationship with a boy who has his own mental health challenges. While fictional, the book offers a relatable portrayal of living with OCD as a young person.

  • "The Unseen Wall: A True Story of Obsession, Intrigue, and Healing" by Mary Margaret Ficalora: In this memoir, Ficalora shares her personal journey of living with OCD, detailing her struggles with intrusive thoughts, rituals, and fear of contamination, as well as her path to recovery and healing.

  • "Every Last Word" by Tamara Ireland Stone: This young adult novel follows the story of Samantha, a teenage girl with OCD who discovers solace in poetry and a secret group of friends who accept her for who she is. The book offers a nuanced portrayal of OCD and the challenges of navigating friendships and identity.

  • "Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life" by Shala Nicely: In this memoir, Nicely shares her personal journey of living with OCD, including her struggles with intrusive thoughts, rituals, and avoidance behaviors. She provides insights into her treatment journey and the strategies that helped her regain control of her life.

  • "Because We Are Bad: OCD and a Girl Lost in Thought" by Lily Bailey: Bailey shares her personal story of growing up with OCD, including her struggles with intrusive thoughts, rituals, and compulsions. She provides a candid and insightful portrayal of living with OCD

  • and the journey toward acceptance and recovery.

  • "Life in the Loop: Essays on OCD" by Matt Bieber: In this collection of essays, Bieber reflects on his experiences of living with OCD, offering personal anecdotes, insights, and reflections on topics such as stigma, treatment, and resilience. He provides a candid and thought-provoking perspective on the challenges of living with OCD.

  • "Obsessive Compulsive Cycling Disorder" by Dave Barter: This memoir humorously chronicles the author's journey of coping with OCD through his passion for cycling. Barter shares his experiences with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, as well as the therapeutic effects of cycling on his mental health.

  • "OCDaniel" by Wesley King: This young adult novel follows the story of Daniel, a middle school student with OCD who struggles to keep his condition a secret while navigating friendships, family relationships, and the challenges of adolescence. The book offers a relatable portrayal of living with OCD as a young person.

  • "Dancing with the Black Dog: A Survivor's Guide to Depression and Manic Depression" by Gordon Parker: While primarily focused on depression and bipolar disorder, this memoir includes insights into the author's experiences with comorbid OCD symptoms and provides valuable perspectives on managing multiple mental health conditions.

  • "Pure OCD: The Invisible Side of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" by Chrissie Hodges: In this memoir, Hodges shares her personal journey of living with Pure-O OCD, a form of OCD characterized by intrusive thoughts and mental rituals. She provides candid insights into her struggles and challenges, as well as her path to recovery and advocacy.

  • "Life in a Bottle: A Journal of Obsession" by Agustina Woodgate: This memoir offers a raw and unfiltered account of the author's experiences with OCD, including her struggles with intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and self-destructive behaviors. Woodgate shares her journey of self-discovery and healing with honesty and vulnerability.