Excellent Free Resource – When Unwanted Thoughts Take Over: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Ebook

On September 6, 2009, in Resources, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD

The National Institute of Health (NIMH) released its latest mental health ebook written for the general public in “When Unwanted Thoughts Take Over: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.” These free NIMH publications make great psychoeducational patient handouts as well. Although these ebooks always highlight the latest pharmacotherapies, they often include recommendations for at least one or more psychological treatments, such Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), behavior therapy, and interpersonal types of approaches. Check the end of this review for links to read this free ebook online or to download it as a PDF document.

“When Unwanted Thoughts Take Over: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” begins with a general overview of Anxiety Disorders, including the latest statistical facts, and then moves into a detailed description of the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). For example, the authors state that

“People with OCD:

have repeated thoughts or images about many different things, such as fear of germs, dirt, or intruders; violence; hurting loved ones; sexual acts; conflicts with religious beliefs; or being overly neat.

do the same rituals over and over such as washing hands, locking and unlocking doors, counting, keeping unneeded items, or repeating the same steps again and again.

have unwanted thoughts and behaviors they can’t control.

don’t get pleasure from the behaviors or rituals, but get brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause.

spend at least an hour a day on the thoughts and rituals, which cause distress and get in the way of daily life.”

Additional important information on the causes of OCD, payment for services, and helpful resources are discussed. Medical management of OCD is heavily emphasized; however, it does mention that many physicians refer patients to psychologists and other licensed mental healthcare providers for treatment.

View this document online at NIMH here.
Download the 12-page PDF document here.

CFisher

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About the author

Christopher Fisher, PhD

Dr. Christopher Fisher, Managing Editor for The Behavioral Medicine Report, received his PhD in Clinical Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine with an emphasis in biopsychosocial approaches to health and wellness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), neurofeedback, biofeedback, cranial electrical stimulation (CES), and QEEG from University of North Texas. He is Board Certified in Neurofeedback (BCIA). Dr. Fisher also received a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Dr. Fisher maintains a private practice in Corpus Christi, Texas, and offers individual therapy, group therapy, and neurofeedback. You can learn more here: http://www.christopherfisherphd.com Dr. Fisher enjoys spending time with family, watching sports and movies, and bicycling on rugged terrain.

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