Recommended Reading
Note: Everyone undertaking cognitive behavior therapy should strive to become knowledgeable about CBT, since most of the actual therapy takes place outside the therapist's office. Parents of children with OCD need to learn how to be CBT therapists, as they will be "on the front lines," helping their child to respond appropriately as events occur in the child's life.
The OCF Newsletter. 12 pages, six times a year. Free with membership in the Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation. Strongly recommended!
The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing by Judith L. Rapoport, MD (paperback, 272 pp, 1989, $13.95). A classic, somewhat dated (written before any of the antiobsessional medications were available in the U.S.), but a very readable description of OCD. This would be a good book to give to someone who may not realize he or she has OCD or to someone who doesn't really believe that OCD actually exists.
Getting Control: Overcoming Your Obsessions and Compulsions by Lee Baer, PhD (paperback, 258 pp, revised edition 2000, $16.75) One of the best self-help books, also can be used as an adjunct to cognitive-behavior therapy.
The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Bruce M. Hyman, PhD and Cherry Pedrick, RN (paperback, 198 pp, 1999, $19.95). An excellent book for self-help; can also be used as an adjunct to cognitive-behavior therapy, especially with CBT therapists not very experienced with OCD.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders: A Complete Guide to Getting Well and Staying Well by Frederick Penzel, PhD (hardcover, 338 pp, 2000, $30.00) An excellent book for self-help, and as an adjunct to cognitive-behavior therapy.
Brain Lock: A Four-Step Self-Treatment Method to Change Your Brain Chemistry by Jeffrey Schwartz, MD (paperback, 219 pp, 1996, $13; also available on audiotape and CD). One of the first self-help books on cognitive-behavior therapy for OCD, still very popular.
Confronting the Bully of OCD by Linda Maran (paperback, 144 pp, 2004, $14.99). Readable, full of tips from a recovering OCDer.
Overcoming Compulsive Checking: Free Your Mind from OCD by Paul R. Munford, PhD (paperback, 160 pp., 2004, $14.95).
Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding: Why You Save and How You Can Stop by Fugen Neziroglu, PhD, Jerome Bubrick, PhD, and Jose A. Yaryura-Tobias, MD (paperback, 150 pp., 2004, $14.95).
Mr. Worry: A Story About OCD by Holly L. Niner (hardback child's book, 32 pp, 2004, $15.95). Beautifully iilustrated by Greg Swearington. Publisher recommends for ages 7-10, but parents can also read to younger children.
Up And Down the Worry Hill by Aureen Pinto Wagner, PhD (paperback, 42 pp, 2000, $16.95) An excellent story book to read with your child. Primarily for ages 4-12, but can be used with older children as well.
What to Do When Your Child Has OCD: Strategies and Solutions by Aureen Pinto Wagner, PhD (paperback, 444 pp, 2002, $23.45). A companion book to Up and Down the Worry Hill. Especially good for parents of younger children.
Freeing Your Child From OCD by Tamar E. Chansky, PhD (paperback, 354 pp, 2000, $23.00). Especially good for parents of older children.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: New Help for the Family by Herbert L. Gravitz, PhD (paperback, 224 pp, 1998, $19.95). Excellent for family members of someone with OCD.
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders by Lorrin Koran, MD (paperback, 370 pp, 1999, $60.00). Pricey, but worth it for professionals. The best general reference book on OCD.
The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder by Katharine A. Phillips, MD (paperback, 412 pp, revised edition 2005, $19.95). The "bible" and for many years the only book on BDD. Recently revised and expanded. The new chapters on treatment alone are worth the price. Highest rating.
The BDD Workbook: Overcome Body Dysmorphic Disorder and End Body Image Obsessions by James Claiborn, PhD and Cherry Pedrick, RN (paperback, 200 pp, 2002, $18.95). A practical book like The OCD Workbook, can be used as a self-help book or with a CBT therapist.
Help for Hair Pullers: Understanding and Coping with Trichotillomania by Nancy J. Keuthen, PhD, Dan J. Stein, MD, and Gary A. Christenson, MD (paperback, 175 pp, 2001, $13.95).
The Hair-Pulling Problem: A Complete Guide to Trichotillomania by Frederick Penzel, PhD (hardcover, 288 pp, 2003, $30.00).