Ocd For Dummies

Description

By (author) Smith, Laura L.

:

Manage OCD and live a better life, thanks to this friendly Dummies guide 

People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) need skills and tools to manage their symptoms. OCD For Dummies offers help for you or your loved one when it comes to recognizing, diagnosing, treating, and living with this common mental and behavioral disorder. Dummies gives you all the information you need on getting your symptoms under control and working toward remission. This edition updates you with the latest research on OCD, new therapeutic treatments, and all the most up-to-date resources to help you along on your OCD journey. You’re not alone—there are millions of people out there who understand what you’re going through, and OCD For Dummies does, too. Understand obsessive-compulsive disorder and get the help you need with this book. 

• Discover what causes OCD and learn how identify the symptoms and early warning signs 
• Learn about the latest medications, treatments, and resources available to help manage OCD symptoms 
• Differentiate between OCD and related disorders so you can get the right help 
• Help a loved one who suffers from OCD and get tips on how you can be supportive 

If you or someone you know has symptoms of OCD or has received a recent diagnosis, this book will gently guide you through building the skills and awareness that will let you live life to its fullest. 

Table of contents:

Introduction 1

About This Book 2

Foolish Assumptions 2

Icons Used in This Book 3

Beyond the Book 3

Where to Go from Here 3

Part 1: The Ins and Outs of Ocd 5

Chapter 1: Facing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 7

What Is OCD? 8

Suffering shame 9

Wrestling with risk 9

Dealing with doubt 10

Counting the Costs of OCD 10

OCD and the Media 11

Pandemic panic 11

Disgusting filth 12

Exploring Treatment Options for OCD 13

Changing the way you think with CBT 14

Thinking about thinking: Metacognitive therapy 14

Approaching OCD mindfully 15

Modifying behavior through ERP 15

Controlling OCD with medications 16

Sending signals deep into the brain 17

Helping People with OCD 17

Chapter 2: Understanding What OCD Is All About 19

Seeing the Two Sides of OCD 20

Obsessing about obsessions 20

Considering compulsions 22

Coming to Terms with OCD 24

The OCD worry cycle 24

Thinking and believing 26

Inspecting impulses 27

Categorizing the Types of OCD 28

Doubts, fears, and uncertainties 29

Contamination, germs, and dirt 30

Shame, embarrassment, and inappropriate thoughts and behaviors 31

Superstitions and rituals 34

Symmetry and perfectionism 34

Parenting OCD 35

Obsessive feelings and sensations 36

Separating OCD from Normal Worries 38

OCD and Diversity 39

Getting to a Diagnosis of OCD 40

Avoiding self-diagnosis 41

Avoiding misdiagnosis 41

Chapter 3: Meeting The Associates and Relatives of OCD 43

Recognizing the Guests or Associates of OCD 44

When anxiety and OCD hang out together 44

Moods and OCD 45

Meeting the Close Relatives of OCD 45

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD): A seriously distorted self-image 46

Hoarding disorder 47

Trichotillomania: Pulling your hair out 49

Skin-picking: Excoriation disorder 50

Distant Cousins of OCD 51

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder 51

Smelling bad: Olfactory reference disorder 52

Tics and Tourette’s syndrome: Involuntary sounds and movements 53

Somatic symptom disorder: I think I’m really sick 55

Eating disorders: Intense fear of fat 56

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