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139th out of 299 books
—
403 voters
Brain Lock: Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior
Through the real-life stories of actual patients, this breakthrough bestseller offers obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) sufferers a simple four-step program to overcome OCD without the use of drugs.
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
January 31st 1997
by Harper Perennial
(first published January 28th 1997)
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I talked to my therapist recently about a troubling thought that had been in my head since junior high school. It was an irrational worry, but one that was extremely disturbing to me, and one that I'd never before been able to talk about or dismiss. "Oh, that's an obsessive thought," my shrink told me. "It's not a real thought. It just means your brain gets stuck in a loop sometimes. It's pretty common, and in your case it will be pretty easy to fix."
This was fascinating and liberating, and got...more
This was fascinating and liberating, and got...more
This book was a great text for OCD using cognitive behavioral therapy as the guide. By rigorously practicing the four R's, people who suffer from OCD can alter their brain chemistry and improve their "brain lock." This book was especially helpful in explaining the exact biological causes of OCD - routed in malfunctioning of the caudate nucleus and orbital cortex. In addition, if you suffer from a moderate form as I do, reading the examples in the book will actually make you thankful that you don...more
Nov 17, 2010
Janie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Rita
Recommended to Janie by:
John
Shelves:
non-fiction
Thorough. It takes some sweat to get the book to express its maximum value -- but such is the nature of the beast, I suppose.
Some of the ideas are belabored in repetition, but I think the slight restatements and variations are helpful, since the OCD plagued may chafe at one description but may feel another one is a life raft (where the author or another reader thought both unremarkably synonymous). E.g.: one of the mantras is "it's not me, it's my OCD!" This is repeated ad nauseam. Near the end...more
Some of the ideas are belabored in repetition, but I think the slight restatements and variations are helpful, since the OCD plagued may chafe at one description but may feel another one is a life raft (where the author or another reader thought both unremarkably synonymous). E.g.: one of the mantras is "it's not me, it's my OCD!" This is repeated ad nauseam. Near the end...more
This is a book about treating Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior Disorder (OCD). It explains the disorder in-depth, giving many case studies of people suffering from the disorder. It explains how OCD is a biochemical imbalance and provides a Four Step Strategy in overcoming your obsessions and compulsions. I have always been interested in OCD. This book really opened my eyes about the disorder. The things I thought I knew about OCD were not all factual. This is a much more depressing disorder than I...more
As someone who suffers from OCD, I can say that this book helped change my life. I no longer take medication (and haven't for years) ever since reading this wonderful book and using the scientifically tested method of "relabel, reattribute, refocus, revalue". In fact, my symptoms have decreased by over 90%! While this book is for OCD, it can also be used for other related disorders, obsessions, and fixations. In fact, Dr. Schwartz shows that brain scans demonstrate by using this method, it helps...more
This book is emotionally challenging to read because the stories of fights against OCD are intense. For instance, one man's life was largely destroyed by an obsessive fear of battery acid. There are also hopeful stories of people using the 4-step resistance methods described in this book to fight off OCD.
The book is divided into three sections, with the first section providing an overview of the four steps, the second section providing some examples of application in certain areas, and the thir...more
The book is divided into three sections, with the first section providing an overview of the four steps, the second section providing some examples of application in certain areas, and the thir...more
A book for sufferers of the condition known as Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour (a biochemical brain problem). This is a condition that can wreak havoc in the daily lives of its sufferers and their families. Jeffrey M Schwartz M.D. is a pioneer in the field of the study and treatment of this condition. His research has formed the basis for a new approach to the condition, now carried out by therapists in the USA and UK. If you ignore the typical american self-help layout and the odd forays into re...more
This book is too old. Skip to the end of each steps, there is a half-page summary of how to perform each step. Write them down and use them as small self-help guide. Otherwise, too many personal stories and not enough work-shop style guidiance. It may be good for those who are looking to understand the problem thru other's stories.
For those who are looking for real help, I suggest to look into OCD Workbook by bruce hyman.
For those who are looking for real help, I suggest to look into OCD Workbook by bruce hyman.
The audience for this would be people who are struggling with OCD or have family members involved. However, I am hopeful that the same strategies will be helpful with my own compulsive eating. It briefly discusses dealing with other compulsions. I can see it might be beneficial for people with anxiety issues as well. If you believe at all in the plasticity of the brain, then it would be a beneficial read.
Scientific exploration of OCD, and how to 'unlock' the brain using 4 steps to overcome the prison of obsession/compulsion. Very interesting, using case studies and language the lay person can easily understand. I learned the difference between OCD (which I do not have) and OCPD (which I do, in mild form). The book promotes understanding of the disease, and hope for its management.
Sep 13, 2011
Danielle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone interested in changing their brain's chemistry
After reading this book, I realized I could do one of two things. I could continue to give into my obsessive urges OR I could accept the fact that the chemistry in my brain was off balance and work on changing it and start giving into my own urges.
If the patients in this book can overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, anyone can.
If the patients in this book can overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, anyone can.
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As someone with OCD, I found this book very helpful and insightful, not to mention educational. It does get a little repetitive at times, as in you feel like he's kicking the dead horse, but it is helpful in a sense that you really get a handle on the methods.
Insightful and very helpful; not just for those who suffer from OCD. Who would have thought you could change your brain chemistry my means of behavioral modification? Kudos to research and the advancement of science.
Great tools to help people with OCD overcome their compulsive thinking. I would have liked to have more information about the way the brain works with OCD and what internal feelings are associated with OCD.
Solid, easy to grasp and sensible advice. Like the repetition - very appealing to OCDers! ;) listened to the audiobook version. Short enough to sit through in one sitting: useful for revision.
The message is great, but the way this book was put together bothered me. Ideas were repreated over and over. The book could be half its size and still communite the ideas throughly.
This was the first book that really opened my eyes to the subtle complexity of OCD. This book is a classic in the study of OCD. An absolute classic.
I read this book because I have a child with OCD. It contains a very simple method for coping with OCD and training your brain how to come 'unstuck' once it gets locked on some obsession or compulsion. I particularly liked the frequent real life stories and experiences -- although I found it quite distressing to hear how terrible life can get with undiagnosed and/or untreated serious OCD. I would recommend this to any family member dealing with OCD -- whether it is your own personal struggle or...more
Great book for people with ocd.
Good explanation of the brain and how and where ocd occurs in the brain. Then 4 steps to overcoming (minimizing, not giving in to the compulsions) ocd. And yes, sometimes that means pills.
However, their idea of 'free' is minimizing, handling the ocd. Does not mean ocd disappears for good. It means you can handle it in your life.
Good explanation of the brain and how and where ocd occurs in the brain. Then 4 steps to overcoming (minimizing, not giving in to the compulsions) ocd. And yes, sometimes that means pills.
However, their idea of 'free' is minimizing, handling the ocd. Does not mean ocd disappears for good. It means you can handle it in your life.
Interesting case studies but the book is fairly redundant. Just read the last chapter if you want a synopsis of its content.
This book was so enlightening to me. The variety of case studies was really helpful.
Great for people with OCD who want in depth info and a self-help program.
I liked that he brought in the spiritual aspects of understanding, managing, and healing the disease.
The principles and concepts in this book work!
None
audiobook
Being Obsessive-Compulsive, I was recommended this book from a friend. I found it very interesting and applicable. However, I'm VERY GRATEFUL my life isn't as bad as the examples in the book! So, if anything, it's been a blessing to realize it could be much worse!
I felt like this book could have been shorter, but it's amazing to read about how the brain can change without drugs to help people with OCD.
This book by far is the best book for anyone suffering from any aspect of Obssessive-Compulsive Disorder. It works!!!
If you have OCD or want to better understand the disease this is a great book with a solution that works.
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M.D.,
Research Psychiatrist,
Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences,
University of California, Los Angeles
More about Jeffrey M. Schwartz...
Research Psychiatrist,
Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences,
University of California, Los Angeles
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