Books which may be helpful to sufferers of OCD and those close to them

Baer L., The Imp of the Mind, exploring the silent epidemic of obsessive bad thoughts, Plume, New York, 2002.

This book explores the reason why some people suffer with bad thoughts and focuses on intrusive thoughts of a sexual, violent, inappropriate and blasphemous nature. It offers therapeutic strategies based on cognitive behaviour therapy. This book also offers advice on the medications available.

Baker R., Understanding panic attacks and overcoming fear, Lion, Oxford, 2003 (later edition available).

As the title indicates this is not a book primarily on OCD, but the 2003 edition (only) does have a very interesting appendix on intrusive thoughts - a very good read for those who suffer with fears that one might act on (or have acted on) their intrusive thoughts. Note: a link to this appendix is freely available via the author's own web site here.

Challacombe F., Bream Oldfield V. and Salkovskis P., Break Free from OCD: Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with CBT, Vermilion, London, 2011.

This is a practical guide to what OCD is, how OCD has such a grip on sufferers, and how to break the cycle. It discusses CBT-based techniques for the main categories of OCD (checking, contamination, intrusive thoughts, and rumination), which are proven to help sufferers. There is also a very useful section on common sticking points that often impede recovery, and a chapter for friends and family of sufferers. Medications are not discussed in detail in this book.

Davidson J., Daring to Challenge OCD: Overcome Your Fear of Treatment and Take Control of Your Life Using Exposure and Response Prevention, New Harbinger, 2014.

Grayson J., Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, a personalized recovery program for living with uncertainty, Berkley Books, New York, 2004.

The basic message of this book is that by tolerating and living with the uncertainty of OCD, the illness will loosen its grip. It offers a therapeutic programme based on cognitive behaviour therapy with suggestions for the main categories of OCD (e.g. contamination, checking, perfection, and 'magical thinking'). This book also offers advice on the medications available.

Hershfield J. and Corboy T., The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD. A guide to overcoming obsessions and compulsions using mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy, New Harbinger Publications Inc., Oakland, California, 2013.

A combination of CBT and mindfulness strategies to help sufferers overcome OCD. A book full of compassion.

Hyman B.M. and Dufrene T., Coping with OCD, New Harbinger Publications, Oakland, 2008.

Practical strategies for living well with OCD.

Purdon C. and Clark D.A., Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts, How to gain control of your OCD, New Harbinger Publications Ltd., Oakland, 2005.

This is especially good to people who have OCD that focuses on one or more of the following: harm, violence, sex, and religion.

Schwartz J.M., Brain Lock, free yourself from obsessive-compulsive behaviour, a four-step self-treatment method to change your brain chemistry, Harper Perennial, New York, 1996.

This book is based around four steps to identify and correct OCD behaviour. It presents interesting results on the behaviour of the OCD brain with physical evidence from brain imaging. This book has a brief discussion of medications.

Veale D. and Willson R., Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques, Robinson, London, 2005.

A comprehensive book covering most types of OCD and the psychological mechanisms that are at work to maintain the condition. It discusses famous people in history who showed OCD behaviour and suggests possible causes of OCD in a sufferer. It offers a therapeutic programme based on cognitive behaviour therapy, with examples based on case studies. This book also offers advice on the medications available and advice to friends and families of sufferers. In the Constable & Robinson "Overcoming" series.

Willson R. and Branch R., Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Dummies. John Wiley, Chichester 2006.

In the "books for Dummies" series.

Winston S.M. and Seif M.N., Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts. A CBT-based guide to getting over frightening, obsessive, or disturbing thoughts, New Harbinger Publications Inc., Oakland, California, 2017.

An excellent companion for OCD sufferers who are troubled by disturbing thoughts. This is a good book for those with primary obsessional (or 'Pure-O' OCD).

Harris R., The Happiness Trap (Based on ACT: A revolutionary mindfulness-based programme for overcoming stress, anxiety and depression), Robinson, 2008.

Kabat-Zinn J., Full Catastrophe Living, How to cope with stress, pain and illness using mindfulness meditation, Piatkus, New York, 1990.

This is not a book specifically for OCD sufferers, but is a comprehensive and instructive book on how to practise mindfulness meditation - an upcoming tool in the battle against OCD.