CONTENTS
(1) Overview of recommended books for OCD
(2) Books about any type of OCD
(3) Books by subtype of OCD
(A) Primarily obsessive thoughts without compulsions
(B) Checking
(C) Washing
(D) Religious scrupulosity
(4) Books for significant others
(1) Overview of recommended books for OCD
I recommend that you consult with me before obtaining a book so we can make sure that it will be an optimal fit. The choice of a book should be influenced by your type of OCD. If you have just one type of OCD and there is a book for it, that might be your best choice. I have been able to identify books for the following specific types of OCD: Washing, checking, obsessive thoughts that occur without obvious compulsions, and religious scrupulosity. If you have a different type of OCD and/or multiple types of OCD you should go with one of the books that is appropriate for any type of OCD. My favorite one of these is by Dr. Joan Davidson and it is listed first.
(2) Books about any type of OCD
Top recommendation: Davidson, J. (2014). Daring to challenge OCD: Overcome your fear of treatment and take control of your life using exposure and response prevention. 200 pages. [New Harbinger] [Amazon]
Abramowitz, Jonathan S. (2018). Getting Over OCD: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life (2nd Ed). Guilford. [Amazon] [Guilford] [PDF of Introduction] [downloadable materials]
Challacombe, F., Oldfield, V. B., & Salkovskis, P. (2011). Break Free from OCD: Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with CBT. Random House UK. 304 pages. [Amazon]
Hershfield, J. & Corboy, T. (2013). The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 232 pages. [New Harbinger] [Amazon]
Hyman, B. M., & Pedrick, C. (2010). The OCD workbook: Your guide to breaking free from obsessive compulsive disorder, 3rd edition. 352 pages. [New Harbinger] [Amazon]
Tompkins, M. A. (2012). OCD: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. [New Harbinger] [Amazon]
(3A) Books by subtype of OCD: Primarily obsessive thoughts without compulsions
Clark, D. A., & Purdon, C. (2005). Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts: How to Gain Control of Your OCD. New Harbinger. 176 pages. [New Harbinger] [Amazon]
Clark, D. A. (2018). The Anxious Thoughts Workbook: Skills to Overcome the Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts that Drive Anxiety, Obsessions, and Depression. New Harbinger. [Amazon]
Winston, S. M., & Seif, M. N. (2017). Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-Based Guide to Getting Over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts. New Harbinger. [Amazon]
(3B) Books by subtype of OCD: Checking
Munford, P. R. (2004). Overcoming Compulsive Checking: Free Your Mind from OCD. 168 pages. [New Harbinger] [Amazon]
(3C) Books by subtype of OCD: Washing
Munford, P. R. (2005). Overcoming Compulsive Washing: Free Your Mind from OCD. 176 pages. [New Harbinger] [Amazon]
(3D) Books by subtype of OCD: Religious scrupulosity
The Doubting Disease: Help for Scrupulosity and Religious Compulsions, by Joseph W. Ciarrocchi (1995)
(4) Books for significant others
Loving Someone with OCD, Karen J. Landsman, Kathleen M. Rupertus, and Cherry Pedrick
When a Family Member Has OCD: Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Skills to Help Families Affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Jon Hershfield, MFT
Also see my webpage on Helping Someone with a Mental Illness