Your OCD Will Hate This Book: A Proven System to Overcome Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Take Back Your Life

by Nathan Peterson

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help, Health, Mental Health

320 pages, Hardcover

Published July 7, 2026

Reviews

[Mattie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll start off by saying that this a great resource for those who are struggling with OCD and want an accessible place to start in treating their OCD. As someone who struggled with OCD for most of my life, the treatment in here is very practical and accessible, and yes, it does work. It is a practice! As said in this book, it’s a marathon and not a sprint. There are times when you may take a few steps backwards, but the continued forward projection, is what matters. In saying that, this did feel a little clinical at times, and at first, the tone of this book came across kind of condescending. I’ve never watched any of the authors videos on this topic and I’m sure he has the experience with treating OCD, but the way this is written comes across as almost…superior? Maybe that’s not the right word. And maybe it IS just my OCD that’s causing me to perceive it that way. It was off putting to say the least. I’m sure he meant it as playful to make the reader comfortable, but personally, I didn’t care for it. The information is great and I think this is a great resource for those struggling with OCD. I’d recommend to those who are new to therapy or are starting out in their treatment for OCD.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Joshua Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Before you get a diagnosis I don't think you'll ever understand what this feels like. I finally feel like i can be in control again. Thank you for this book.

[Tony Farinella · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has struggled with OCD for over 16 years and has been through more therapists than I can count on both hands, I'm always looking for a way to get a better handle on my OCD, intrusive thoughts, and the time and energy that have been taken from me because of my OCD. TV and film might make OCD look like a fun little quirk, but as someone who lives with it each and every day, I can tell you, it's no picnic and it can be a living hell. I can also tell you not every person with OCD is someone who is washing their hands for 2 hours a day (no judgement here, but that seems to be the standard for what people think of those with OCD).

This book was recommended to me by my psychiatrist, and I immediately placed an order for it on Amazon. When my psychiatrist talks, I listen! The best part about this book is the conversational tone that Nathan Peterson takes when talking to you, the reader. It makes the book fun (yes, treating your mental illness can be fun), funny, and relatable. He's not looking to bore the reader with a bunch of numbers, stats, and useless information. While there is nothing wrong with that for some people, sometimes you just want someone to talk to you like a human being who knows what you are going through and has practical, everyday tools that can help you overcome your OCD.

It might sound corny or cliché to say a book makes you feel seen and heard, but that is 110 percent the case here. He also has a QR code with worksheets. You aren't going to read a book on OCD and suddenly become cured overnight. No such book exists. However, this is the best book on the subject because Nathan is a straight shooter. There are no shortcuts with OCD. You have to put the work in, consistently, day in and day out. However, he reminds you of what OCD has taken from you, why you are worth it, and how you can do it.

This is the playbook on OCD and how to cure it. It's up to you to do the rest. It starts with reading this book, which gave me the confidence and the push to tackle my OCD and get it under control so it doesn't take anymore of my life away from me. If you, too, are struggling with OCD, I can't recommend this book enough. It's absolutely perfect, and I loved the writing style and the examples used in the book.

[Megan megmakestimetoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we rely more on social media, google searches, and AI, I have seen OCD symptoms creep up in my patients. There are so many subtle ways to do checks/seek reassurance/behave compulsively. I think many social media accounts give bad advice, masquerading as good advice, that perpetuate the OCD cycle. I was so excited to receive an advance copy of this book for review; it was fantastic! This book is clear, uses humor, and helps people understand the neuroscience behind OCD. It is very accessible for the general population, but would also be helpful to clinicians who have heard about ERP or are just realizing that things they thought were "normal anxiety" are actually OCD. I will definitely recommend this book to clients and colleagues alike. I work as a therapist in private practice, but also in an urban college setting. The informal way this is written would definitely appeal to both populations, but particularly millennial or gen Z college students. Peterson uses humor and metaphor in the same way I do in session, so I think this book would feel like a natural extension of the work we do. I love when a workbook is approachable and can supplement the work we already do in session. From an equity and access standpoint, this book makes treatment for OCD so available, regardless of a patient's insurance or financial resources. Thanks to Net Galley and Dutton Plume for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not finished reading this yet but I wanted to review it anyway. I was diagnosed with OCD many years ago. I have done this ERP therapy with my therapist in the past. And I was fairly successful. It is something that you have to keep at it. Unfortunately I have slacked and now I have fallen back into my old patterns. I really like how he dives in and explains the different types of compulsions. There were things I recognized that I thought was just my anxiety. Turns out it’s my OCD. He explains the steps really well. And gives examples for all kinds of compulsions. I highly recommend this book and ERP therapy. It really does help.

[Maren Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This spring I was having what I call a "shame attack." An internet search led me to some information about OCD, and suddenly my whole life made sense. I knew I had had religious OCD as a kid, but I thought I had outgrown that. Turns out my OCD had grown with me and morphed many times over the years into responsibility OCD, relationship OCD, real event OCD, and all the variations on a theme of scrupulosity. So I bought this book! And it has been life-changing. This is a very practical guide to treating OCD. It's very accessible/readable. It was exactly what I needed. I was lucky it came out just a few weeks after I had this self-realization breakthrough. Thanks, Nathan Peterson!

[bog.librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a great resource and will use it personally and professionally. I’ve read and used a lot of OCD books/workbooks and this one’s success lies in its effortless readability and friendly tone. When I’m struggling I don’t want to turn to my academic resources, I want to turn to something that feels like a friendly push in the right direction. This book provides a realistic and supportive guide through ERP and I think everybody affected by OCD should give it a try.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

automatic five stars. i’ve spent years of my life battling OCD and one of the very best tools i’ve ever had is nathan peterson’s youtube channel. when i was really in the thick of it, i probably watched every video he’d ever made at least three times. i’ve been in recovery for a few years, but i recently hit a rough patch, so i knew i had to read this book. honestly, i already knew pretty much everything in it, but it was good to remind myself of the basics. would def recommend to anyone newly diagnosed

[꧁ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

While reading, it feels like I'm talking to a friend who knows me so well. I've also been more aware of some OCDs I have.
Will work through them through the help of this book. Hopefully, I'll be more comfortable and less anxious when dealing with them.

[Lisa Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I’ve ever read on OCD and Exposure & Response Prevention. I’m not an OCD specialist so I don’t see a lot of clients with OCD. But, if I did have a client and we suspected they might have OCD, this would be the first resource I’d offer. Even without any other training, I feel like I could be a decent support partner for someone who wanted to try this on their own, using the book. (Obviously with severe OCD, a trained professional would be better). This book is super detailed, so you can make a hierarchy list of your obsessions/compulsions, plan exposures, plan responses, and know how you’ll prevent compulsions. He helps you plan for regular practice and also plan for maintenance when you’re doing better. Every detail is covered here, so if you want to know more about OCD, or you have clients who could benefit, this is the book.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an OCD specialist and certified in ERP. This book was wonderful! So digestible and easy to follow. Great read for OCD clients (I wish I had this when I was starting my own OCD treatment) and for clinicians. I will definitely be recommending this book to all my OCD clients going forward,

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

love Nathan’s YouTube videos & I loved his book. Practical action based steps for OCD recovery.

[Richard Gresham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting I did not know what I was gonna think about this at first, but I quite enjoyed reading it a lot of interesting stuff in this book