This book brought so much insight
into the things that I was experiencing yet could not articulate or
didn't recognize as being part of my OCD.
It also touched on truths about myself that I was afraid to
share, and hadn't shared -- with anyone -- specifically intrusive
thoughts, which can be a frightening part of OCD. Gaining a
better understanding of this was extremely helpful to me.
Compassion comes across in
the pages of this book, because Dr. Osborne has
OCD himself. I also
found comfort in reading the stories of others that are included.
Out of all the books I've read about OCD, this one
really resonated with me and was the most comforting and the most
insightful!
~Kimberly
Can Christianity Cure
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?: A Psychiatrist Explores the
Role of Faith in Treatment, by Ian
Osborn, MD
In this world, there are
always going to be distractions which will distort the truth
and try to get us to take our focus off of God --- the only real source of
our help. OCD is just another distraction that tries to
enslave us to our pathological doubt and tormenting thoughts and
tries to turn the truth of God into a lie. This book
demonstrates that vividly through the struggles of three
Christians with obsessive-compulsive disorder, who triumphantly learned
to
enter into God's rest by latching onto the simple truth of God's
message of faith, and through their struggles their faith became
"heart knowledge" instead of "head knowledge,"
and I can certainly relate.
~Kimberly
Boundaries: When
to say YES and when to say NO to Take Control of Your Life,
by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
I should be wearing this book on a chain
around my neck. If you have difficulty in the area of boundary
setting, this is a tremendous book. It will help you
understand the importance of setting boundaries and repercussions of
not doing so. It demonstrates what boundaries look like in
different relationships: with our children, our
husbands, and our friends, and it gives examples of boundary
conflicts between different personality types. This is an
exceptional book! You will be pulling this book out
often.
~Kimberly
The Doubting Disease:
Help for Scrupulosity and Religious Compulsions,
by Joseph W. Ciarrocchi
This is another great book and includes strategies and exercises one can
utilize to reduce scrupulous obsessions and compulsions.
Scrupulosity doesn't have to suffocate our faith and steal our joy.
As John W. Ciarrocchi states in this book, "I can, however share my
experience in treatment which suggests that a person can maintain a deeply
committed religious faith and shed the burden of scrupulosity."
I wholeheartedly agree and feel that this is a useful resource for
therapists, clergy, and individuals alike.
~Kimberly
Grace for the Afflicted,
by Matthew S. Stanford, PhD
This is a phenomenal book for so many reasons. The book addresses a
number of misconceptions about mental illness in general and mental illness
and faith. The stigma related to mental illness is still a very real
one, especially in the church community.
The author touches on several untruths which have been propagated by
both the Christian and the secular community and clarifies them using
Scripture and science. He illustrates the mind-body-spirit
connection as it relates to mental health issues and the treatment of mental
health issues and stresses the complexity of factors that contribute to
mental disorders. This book repeatedly stresses the importance of
showing love and compassion in reaching out and encouraging those who may be
afflicted with a mental disorder. This is another compassionate book and
an excellent, much-needed
resource!
~Kimberly