The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts

by Lee Baer

A leading expert on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder explores the hidden epidemic that afflicts millions of Americans.

In the first book to fully examine obsessive bad thoughts, Dr. Lee Baer combines the latest research with his own extensive experience in treating this widespread syndrome. Drawing on information ranging from new advances in brain technology to pervasive social taboos, Dr. Baer explores the root causes of bad thoughts, why they can spiral out of control, and how to recognize the crucial difference between harmless and dangerous bad thoughts.

An illuminating and accessible guide to the kinds of thoughts that create extreme fear, guilt, and worry, The Imp of the Mind provides concrete solutions to a tormenting and debilitating disorder. Including special sections on the prescription medications that have proven effective, it is "a beautifully written book that can be a great help to people who want to know what to do about obsessions" (Isaac Marks, M.D., author of Living with Understanding and Coping with Anxiety ).

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

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so incredibly sad to hear that Lee Baer passed away in 2017, right when I found his amazing books. At this time, I was struggling from Pure O OCD and my old therapist didn't know what Pure O OCD is, so I was getting the wrong treatment. I left that therapist and found a new one. It was then that I realized what I had through his diagnosis.

I wanted to get better. I didn't want to be miserable and scared of my own shadow for the rest of my life. Lee Baer's book (along with another great therapist's book) helped me gather my thoughts and jump into ERP therapy. Now, I couldn't be happier.

Rest in peace, Lee Baer. Your books changed my life.

[Sonya Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for OCDers. It opened my eyes to the reasons behind obsessive thoughts, and that knowledge alone makes OCD more manageable. This was a life changing book for me.

[Gabriel Ducate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most fascinating books I've ever read. It explored so many aspects of the epidemic of obsessive bad thoughts, to the shocking revelations of past patients, the advice and research and ways of managing these thoughts.

What made me really enjoy this was that the book wasn't pretentious in just telling you the scientific views. Instead it delved into not just one but multiple different cases from actual patients. The included the bad thoughts, sometimes in graphic detail that these patients were experiencing. It also explored certain mental ailments that could make the "Imp of the Mind" more powerful.

It explored the fact that all people have these thoughts and while the majority of people can just let the thoughts pass and not worry about it, some people can not. These people usually spurned on OCD or postpartum depression, to PTSD and so on can latch onto these thoughts and obsess over them, thinking they are evil people.

It also shows that most people are to afraid to speak up about this. No mother wants to admit to having thoughts of killing her child, no boyfriend wants to admit to having thoughts of stabbing his girlfriend so unfortunately they live a life of trying to repress these thoughts, thinking they are evil people that will one day snap and commit these atrocious acts.

This book delves into the Imp of the Mind, that thing that makes people think of the worst possible thing they could do. Similar to driving down the road and having that intrusive thought of driving your car into incoming traffic. Most people who think that can think, "wow, that's a bit of a crazy thought", then just go on with their day. Others, especially those suffering from other mental issues put a lot of value or weight on this thought and start to obsess about it. And as this book teaches through examples, these thoughts don't define us. They are simply just a bad thought but the more you obsess about it, the more you try to repress the thought the more powerful the thought becomes.

As you get to around half way this book switches gears and shows proven methods of how to "cure" yourself of these obsessive thoughts. It puts the solution into simple to understand means, things that when you read you think to yourself, "wow this makes sense, is that all there there is to it". Of course as this book points out, actually doing these steps to manage these thoughts can be more difficult that simply knowing or reading how to do it. Thankfully and encouragingly it does also show show examples of patients who have been "cured" of these obsessive thoughts by the methods prescribed in this book.

Now another thing I like about this book is it doesn't tout itself as a cure all, but also explains in a caring way that you may still need to end up seeing a specialist, and it explores this as well. It goes into exposure therapy, cognitive behavior treatments and when all else fails psycho-pharmacology and how drugs can help with the process.

And finally, it shows that the vast majority of people who have these thoughts and obsess about them will never actually commit these crimes... because they feel such shame and fear over committing them. On the flip side though it even offers advice to readers who may be experiencing these bad thoughts and are not feeling remorse and shame over them. Some people enjoy these thoughts, feel power in them and this book encourages readers like this, that, just because you may be enjoying these feelings you are not alone, you don't have to be that person, it's not a helpless case, there are specialist and new ways of helping even in these situations.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes an interesting look at one of the most unspoken illnesses of our time. That is, the illness of obsessive thoughts and how they relate to many of the anxiety disorders, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The interesting thing about how the author (who, incidentally, is also a psychiatrist and researcher, making this so much better) looks at the problem is that he takes a look at a condition, obsessive thoughts, as the main problem of the individual themselves, and then helps them come to an understanding of why they are obsessing over those thoughts.

Some people have thoughts of stabbing their babies, or driving off the road and killing themselves (or others), or even some of the sexual nature, such as rape. Of course, the people suffering from those obsessive thoughts would never actually do anything. They simply are worried about the thoughts themselves and what it has to do with them. They might ask themselves, "How do I know I won't become a serial killer/rapist?" The answer of course is entirely uncertain, as with most of the problems related to anxiety and the related disorders. No one can tell you what will happen, and that uncertainty is what makes the condition such a difficult one to deal with.

Before reading this book I simply thought that the problem of obsessive thoughts was merely a symptom of anxiety issues (I've dealt with anxiety problems and didn't realize it could be the core of the problem) and not the issue itself. But now that this has been brought to light, it makes perfect sense. Thoughts can be scary.

My favorite story was the one of the priest. It was very inspiring and moving.

Thoughts are powerful things, and the author really takes a look at how they can truly impact someone's persona and life.

[Jessica Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew that hope could only be a short life. I wanted to die for seven years, but afraid of Hell, universal, I put myself into institutions, because of my intrusive thoughts to murder my father. Then the thoughts assumed a wider breadth to include pedestrians walking on the side of the road. The doctors in every institution, too many to count, informed me that I needed to know that my homicidal ideations nested in my terrible childhood, or perhaps psychopath could apply as well. Ironically, my dad did research until he found this book, along with lots of stuff on-line. I read this book with a skepticism, but relinquished that when I realized the impact this book on the direction of my life. In a 180 degree turn, things became worse before they improved. But this book was the catalyst that allowed me to like sunshine, and be grateful for everything in my my life.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You are not so abnormal as you think. Every human being is visited from time to time by the Imp of the Perverse, who makes you think the most inappropriate thoughts at the most appropriate times."

This has been in my TBR for more than three years and I regretted that I did not read this sooner.
Although I'm not as "special" as the patients listed in the case studies, this book made me accept that bad thoughts happen to everyone from time to time.

Some topics touched as far as I remember:
*OCD
*OCPD
*Thoughts about harming babies (postpartum depression)
*Thoughts about harming children (let's include harming family members or significant others)
*Blasphemous thoughts
*Conduct disorder & Anti-social personality disorder
*Tourette's

It also tackled about the causes of having these thoughts and the assurance that these are just thoughts. The explanations of bad thoughts are written with examples (eg case studies).

This can be a self-help book though there are cautions about safety before proceeding doing the therapies on your own. There are also checklists or inventories for symptoms of the discussed bad thoughts.

Since this was published in 2001, I'm not pretty sure if there are new techniques or ways in coping obsessive bad thoughts. If there are new editions on this book, I'm sure I'd check those out as well.

[Aubrey Weber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciated the insight I gained around brain chemistry and intrusive thoughts and how common bad thoughts are, but I guess I was expecting much more. This was verrry specific, too specific in fact, centered very definitively on three types of obsessive bad thoughts. So, it kind of lost me because I was hoping for more of a psych take. I could see this being a helpful intro resource for someone who categorically fit one of those types, though.

[Jeffrey Sandberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on OCD(especially what they now call "Pure O" OCD (obsessions mainly without physical compulsions such as handwashing) that I have read so far. Treatment and recognition for the ailment is relatively new, primarily since the 70's when it was separated from Freudian psycho analysis as a brain disorder. I have read 7 or 8 clinical books and several others related to this illness which I have suffered from since I was 8 years old, including another by Lee Baer called Getting Control.

(cymatically, the sound "O" makes a circle shape)

These are some quotes used by Baer from near the book's opening that set the stage for this deeply compassionate and insightful view by this excellent OCD psychologist.
:

"One trembles to think of that mysterious thing in the soul, which seems to acknowledge no human jurisdiction, but in spite of the individual's own innocent self, will still dream horrid dreams, and mutter unmentionable thoughts."
-Herman Melville (1819-1891)

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Lee Baer considered E.A. Poe's description of the nature of obsessive compulsive thought, although not directly attributed by him, as the most elegant and complete, beyond any doctor's thesis or description. He shares it in the book and it here follows:
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"An innate and primitive principle of human action, a paradoxical something, which we may call Perverseness, for want of a more characteristic term.... Through its promptings we act, for the reason that we should not. In theory, no reason can be unreasonable: But, in fact, there is none more strong. With certain minds, under certain conditions, it becomes absolutely irresistible. I am not more certain that I breathe, than that the assurance of the wrong word or error of any action is often the one unconquerable force which impels us, and alone impels us to its prosecution. Nor will this overwhelming tendency to do wrong for the wrong's sake, admit of analysis, or resolution into ulterior elements. It is a radical, a primitive impulse-- elementary....

We stand upon the brink of a precipice. We peer into the abyss--we grow sick and dizzy. Our first impulse is to shrink from the danger. Unaccountably we remain. By slow degrees our sickness, and dizziness, and horror, become merged in the cloud of unnamable feeling. By gradations, still more imperceptible, this cloud assumes shape, as did the vapor from the bottle out of which arose the genie in the Arabian nights. But out of this our cloud upon the precipice's edge, there grows into palpability, a shape, far more terrible than any genie, or any demon of a tale, and yet it is but a thought, although a fearful one, and one which chills the very marrow of our bones with the fierceness of the delight of its horror. It is merely the idea of what would be our sensations during the sweeping precipitancy of a fall from such a height. And this fall- this rushing annihilation- for the very reasons that involves that one most ghastly and loathsome of all the most ghastly and loathsome of images of death and suffering which have ever presented themselves to our imagination - for this very cause do we now the most vividly desire it. And because our reason violently deters us from the brink, therefore, do we the more impetuously approach it....

Examine these and similar actions as we will, we shall find them resulting solely from the spirit of the Perverse. We perpetrate them merely because we feel that we should not. Beyond or behind this, there is no intelligible principle...."

- Edgar Allen Poe, 1845, from the short story
"The Imp of the Perverse"

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Although I don't think he is mentioned in Imp of the Mind, the deeply religious John Bunyan of the 17th century, famed for his spirituality and the writing of thematically Christian books, undeniably suffered from OCD and blasphemous obsessions, in a time period where the threat of stake burnings if such thoughts were openly admitted was very likely. Lee Baer and other OCD writers almost invariably mention him. Baer comments in Imp of the Mind:

"Those suffering from bad thoughts are often more tormented than people with any other psychiatric disorder I have known, and many have contemplated or attempted suicide. Yet, they have almost never told another living soul about the disorder, instead suffering in private."

OCD has been shown by modern psychologists to be on the same continuum as Tourette's syndrome. In fact, many of the one illness also have the other, about 75% of those with Tourette's have clinical OCD, and ~25% the other way.

If you have or suspect you have OCD, especially if it is primarily obsessional, this book may give you a lot of comfort and is a must read.

Finally here are two quotes from Baer himself. If it is a brain disorder, it is a very damaging and disturbing one. Baer assures any sufferer that more is going on than their own willful operation, that the illness is beyond, and, as is often repeated, not reflective and is often actually the opposite of the personality and values of the sufferer in reality.

"You are not so abnormal as you think. Every human being is visited from time to time by the Imp of the Perverse, who makes you think the most inappropriate thoughts at the most inappropriate times."

"...not only are these bad thoughts universal among all humans today, but they have almost certainly always been a part of the human condition, at least since man first developed language and then rules to govern appropriate behavior in groups."

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Concluding this relegation with a scripture from one of the wisest men in history:

"...whatever prayer, whatever request for favor may be made by any man or by all your people Israel (for each one knows his own plague and his own pain) when they spread out their hands toward this house, then may you hear from the heavens, your dwelling place, and may you forgive; and reward each one according to all his ways, for you know his heart (you alone truly know the human heart)..."

--King Solomon's prayer at the inauguration of the Temple, Jerusalem, 1026 B.C.E.;
2 Chronicles 6:29,30

[Jon James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Dr Lee Baer's book, 'The Imp of the Mind', to be a short and easy read. In it he covers the most important aspects of that form of OCD, (also known as 'PURE O' 'Scrupulosity',  or 'The Doubting Disease'), which manifests itself through distressing intrusive thoughts, often, though not exclusively, of a violent or sexual nature.  

The book covers the nature of the disease, illustrated with case histories, the type of people most likely to suffer from it and the main treatments, both drug and non-drug based. 

Also included are guides for seeking help and importantly, in my opinion, for administering self-help.  The presentation is direct and straight forward. 

As a sufferer whose symptoms went largely untreated and only declined 'naturally' over many years, I am absolutely certain that this compassionate book has the ability to profoundly improve many lives.
I wish I could have read it 50 yrs ago.

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

very useful

[2raccoonsinacoat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again—interesting, accessible, just not right for me. Sole focus is on intrusive thoughts, doesn’t address rumination.

[Daniel Barir · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 - perfectly constructed book imo. concise, scientific and highly empathetic. would recommend at least the first part of this book to anyone and everyone

[Tweedledum · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I am currently on a drive to educate myself about various mental health issues this seemed like a useful addition to my little collection. It was certainly interesting though rather dated now. Baer's work with exposure therapy proved a breakthrough for many but towards the end of the book Baer touches on the then new ideas of CBT and considers how the two might work together or sequentially.

Baer's view is that drugs should be a last resort rather than a first resort and realised that helping people understand more about how their mind works is often the key to success. He reminds the reader that, as with all battles, preparation and staying power are the key.

Baer's book focuses on the patient tormented by "bad thoughts" and living in fear of carrying these out. What is not clear is where the boundary lies between "bad thoughts" and "obsessive" thoughts . When does an "obsessive" thought become a "bad thought" and who decides this and when can an "obsessive" thought be simply and safely labelled a "special interest " and therefore not something to be concerned about... In this sense Baer is in fact helping his patients to relabel their thoughts... These then become less scary, cease to be wrong or bad and regain their proper place in the pantheon of thought.

Baer is writing before the ASD diagnostic explosion. One wonders how many people presenting with obsessive thoughts today, whatever their nature, are at risk of getting labelled with ASD and then dismissed without any actual support or help.

[Dawn DiMaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has struggled with obsessive thoughts for as long as I can remember, it was amazing to read this book. I wish I found it years ago. Though I knew much of the information due to my own research and being in the mental health field, it was refreshing getting to read this book and hear individual stories and how Dr. Baer's clients worked through their issues.
It is outdated in certain parts - such as referencing popular cases at the time (Susan Smith) and suggesting that the individual conduct ERP by recording themselves on a cassette tape (and explaining the different kinds of cassette tapes) and playing it back on a recorder. But the overall information still holds up.
I didn't realize it was more of a "self help" when I purchased the book but I am not bothered by that fact.
Honestly, I wish I found this book in my teens. I have lived with obsessive bad thoughts, as well as compulsions, for as long as I can remember - definitely in my mid-teens, but perhaps even earlier. Reading this book gave me so much support and made me realize that I am not alone. This has helped me on my personal OCD journey.
I definitely recommend for anyone diagnosed with OCD or experiencing OCD symptoms, anyone with a loved one with OCD, and anyone wanting to learn more about this disorder. OCD goes waaayyy beyond cleaning and being a germaphobe. This book could be eye-opening to so many people.

[Sandy D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by a psychologist who helped developed some of the therapy used for OCD actually seems a bit dated now, but it was only published five years ago (in 2001). Anyway, Baer focuses on the obsessive part of OCD (that's the imp, from Edgar Allen Poe's "Imp of the Perverse"). Baer likes his classic quotes and has many, which add a bit of historical interest and depth to his book.

I learned a few new things about OCD - he explains the difference between CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and ER/P (exposure response/prevention) clearly, and shows how each works better for different people. He describes how OCD often accompanies depression - especially post-partum depression - which was rather illuminating, and he also goes into a bit about the different varieties of obsessive thoughts - violent, sexual, religious - basically, whatever would disturb you the most is what you get if you are prone to OCD (e.g., only religious believers would obsess over going to hell, thinking bad thoughts about doG, etc.). An interesting bit is that for many people OCD seems to get worse when everything in their life is going fairly well - when there is a lot of stress or illness in someone's life, it appears less likely to go out of control.

[Jim Johanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful resource, though I think the author should have made an effort to distinguish more between OCD and "pure O", where the former is accompanied by a compulsive action often unrelated to the nature of the obsession, i.e. the seemingly nonsensical repetition of flipping a light switch on-and-off to prevent someone's family member from getting into a car accident, and where "pure O" is limited to intrusive thoughts without the accompanying compulsion to perform a specific action to rid oneself of such thoughts.

There is also too much praise for SRI/SSRI drugs, and not enough consideration for how ineffective these drugs can be for a large section of the population. Research and anecdotal experience have shown promise for the effectiveness of treating OCD with psilocybin, mescaline, and other 5HT-2A and 5HT-2C agonists. NAC (n-acetyl-cysteine) has also shown a high degree of effectiveness for treating OCD, Tourette syndrome, and other tic disorders. These medications should be mentioned in future editions of this book.

A good read for learning more about CBT and other non-pharmaceutical treatment options.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comforting book about the intrusive thoughts that many individuals with OCD struggle with. It's a quick read, only 137 pages with examples from his clients over the years. Know that the book only explores the sexual, violent, and blasphemous intrusive thoughts that occur in some OCD individuals and does not explore OCD as a whole. Provides some great ideas for treating intrusive thoughts either with a mental health professional or without. Definitely worth the read if you are interested in OCD or intrusive thoughts. Very comforting if you suffer from these thoughts as well. Highly recommended.

Side note, if you suffer from intrusive thoughts you might have to read the book in bursts if it causes you too much anxiety, although that might be considered a good exposure technique ;)

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written by a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), The Imp of The Mind is focused on the "O" - obsessive thoughts - that occupy and torment the minds of sufferers. This book explains very clearly and simply what causes obsessions (here called "bad thoughts"), what they tend to look and feel like, when to worry about them, and how they can be managed. It's a very useful overview on obsessions, offering up helpful solutions and direction. Dr. Baer aims to "normalize" bad thoughts, reassuring those that suffer from OCD that "every one of us from time to time" is visited by "bad thoughts". We either give those thoughts little attention, and allow them to pass by, or, for those wired for OCD, the thoughts are given too much power, attention.

[E.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough introduction to intrusive 'bad' thoughts, with a focus on those who suffer from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and the different categories of intrusive bad thoughts, such as religious, sexual or violent thoughts.

This book differs from others on the topic as it also provides samples of many treatment plans, individual cases, detailed explanations and when to seek professional help (in general, it is good to have mental behavioral support in place before trying any treatment, such as exposure, as anxiety could increase and perhaps make you feel worse or that you're not 'doing it right').

[Darth Mordecai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of interesting ideas: habituation being key. though too many sexual ideas theme. none of the books ever go into the heart of the problem. feels like none of the writers have ever felt it themselves: the absolute overpowering nature of OCD and Tourettes.

more like a study of all the patients who came into the dr's office than actual help in dealing with OCD. a good resource to understand it if you wish though. a good reminder that you are not alone.

no real way to deal with it except exposure.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should be a 3.5. The topic was fascinating, but I was more interested in the science than the self-help stuff. I'd hoped to learn why this was now a "silent epidemic." The book is also really outdated - it's something like 20 years old now and makes a lot of references to, say, Susan Smith. I also wonder how the research has changed since 1999/2000 when it was written. Otherwise OK, but if there was an updated edition or something I'd have been more pleased.

[Norby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very educational for anyone who wants to learn about what OCD really is or anyone who’s just been diagnosed and wants to learn more about what it is, treatments, warning signs, medication, and some research that’s been done over the years. As somebody who has recently been diagnosed about 6 months ago it’s refreshing to read about other people who are going through the same thing .. although I wish nobody would ever get this stupid disorder.

[Emily Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after it was suggested by my therapist, after a recent diagnosis of OCD 13 years after its onset at the beginning of high school. I wish 13 year old me could have had access to this information, and in many ways reading this was an experience of grief.

While it was often difficult to read, I'm glad that Baer places special emphasis on intrusive thoughts of harm/violence, especially considering the tremendous fear and stigma accompanying these themes as well as the huge gulf between the violence of these thoughts and the dispositions of those suffering.

My own first experience of OCD involved near-constant intrusive images of hanging and shooting myself, and it was extremely confusing both to myself and everyone around me why I was experiencing this while 1) unequivocally not wanting to die and 2) being constantly terrified of myself as if I really, really did and would do it if ever left alone with a weapon. Hearing that these thoughts were diagnostic of anxiety and not suicidality (and in fact, that these thoughts meant I was /unlikely/ to kill myself) could have saved me three years of tremendous emotional pain, and many more of profound self-distrust and self-contempt.

It honestly strikes me as tragic that intrusive thoughts about harm inevitably target either ourselves or the people closest to us; those we love and most fear harming: Parents, siblings, romantic partners, spouses, children and grandchildren (especially in the case of the many mothers [41% of those with postpartum depression] who experience these thoughts for the first time about their child).

I will say though, it is VERY clear that this book was published in 2001. Exposures listed for intrusive thoughts about killing children include "reading about Roe v. Wade" and "Walking by a Planned Parenthood clinic", which was Jarring (to be fair, reading about violent acts against children? also jarring). Discussions of religious obsession/moral scrupulosity mention non-Christian faiths, but Christianity is clearly centered. Discussions about obsessions re: one's sexual orientation were remarkably accepting, thankfully. There's a brief passage on evolutionary psych theories about the origin of OCD, and I feel like evopsych in general has kind of fallen out of favor scientifically, though Baer doesn't claim that these theories hold scientific validity by themselves so I didn't have that many qualms about it.

Also, objectively hilarious how long the Imp of the Mind (a reference to Edgar Allen Poe's Imp of the Perverse) is referred to as a literal Imp. Very strange experience to be Plagued by Fear of Yourself, looking for answers, and then to read the words "How the Imp Selects his Thoughts". Just like, a little guy Up to Mischief. A little Invader Zim looking motherfucker Up to some Shenanigans

In general, aside from a few anachronisms, the book provides a comprehensive description of intrusive, ego-dystonic thoughts as well as significant background on where they come from, Why They Don't Mean You Will Do The Thing, and how to self-administer ERP. I'm also glad that, while this is undoubtedly a book About OCD, it's diagnostically flexible and includes other diagnoses that can include this symptom (postpartum depression, PTSD, Tourette's, etc).

4/5, wish I was not in a position to find this book helpful, but it was helpful, but also i really don't think that planned parenthood is in the business of Pediatric Murder.

[Hannah Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book that is the perfect number of pages....this is a topic that can be over explained and confuse the reader but this author does an excellent job of explaining the "why" behind obsessive, scary, intrusive thoughts. He also explains different courses of treatment and what I especially like is that he doesn't insist the only way through this is exposure, though exposure therapy is incredibly effective, it also has to be done with clients who are not only willing but also can take the needed time on a daily basis to commit to a plan of exposure. Some folks, especially those who are still highly functioning even with their scary, intrusive thoughts, will come away with reassurance that they will not act on these thoughts and also that the more one tries to suppress the thought, the louder it becomes. Exposure too can come from simply not avoiding the triggers and not stopping your life because of these thoughts but rather continuing to live fully, accepting that these thoughts are happening and also that they cannot hurt you.

[Bella Ayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was fairly disappointed by this book. I have read many books on mental health and have done quite a bit of research on OCD, and felt like this book was extremely repetitive and very specific. I felt like it was unclear in the description that it was only focused on violent, sexual, and religious thoughts. I know that in the beginning he said MOST thoughts fit in this category but was not expecting that to be all that was talked about. I was also disappointed that even though this book may have been targeted at a specific type of OCD, there was barely or no mention of other types of OCD or what bad thoughts can be other than the three types he talked about. Thought it was very closed off to the reality of OCD and could have at least said their are many ways that OCD can present in people, but this book is specifically looking at obsessive negative thoughts related to sex, religion, and violence.

[Khalil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Très bon livre sur les TOC idéeatifs . À l’époque où le livre a été écrit, La psychiatrie n’accordait pas assez d’importance aux traitements psychiques de cet aspect des troubles obsessionnels (alors sans composante compulsive). Il est considéré de ce fait comme un pionnier de cette approche thérapeutique.
Le livre a la structure d’un Essai, façonné dans le récit d’expérience que l’Auteur a eu le long de son vécu et des cas qu’il a observé . Ce qui rend la lecture plus aisée, plus naturelle et variée. Loin donc d’une conception académique, plutôt rigide de la question.

C’est un livre agréable à lire que je recommande aux personne intéressés par les TOC idéatits.

[Zachary Herde · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who has the feeling that your identity and moral standing is being compromised because of the thoughts in your head, this is an informative book for you. A recent bout with severe anxiety has made me realize that intrusive thoughts have always been a part of my life, but all of the sudden they now become distressing because of the particular themes that they reveal. It’s reassurance, which can be a compulsion, but I’ve felt that understanding what’s going through my head has helped a lot.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, concise and comforting explanation of intrusive thoughts and their role in anxiety, OCD and post-partum depression. Baer de-stigmatizes these problematic thoughts, offers guidance for distinguishing between symptoms which are likely to be dangerous and the far more common troublesome thoughts which disturb the thinker but represent no threat of harm. Treatment guidelines for exposure therapy are provided, so this book will be of use to clinicians as well as the individuals suffering. Recommended reading for anyone working in mental health fields as well as those in post-partum care.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The rock-solid axiom of psychology and criminology is that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.”

Although I do not suffer from OCD, I got this book to give to a sibling who does bear the weight of this mental illness. I wanted to read it to better understand how his mind worked. I found this book to be quite enlightening in not only explaining OCD and why it can be so debilitating, but also in offering practical advice to sufferers in attempt to alleviate the thoughts just by a bit.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, interesting and incredibly accessible. The writing is clear and concise, with a sort of gentle therapist's tone that never feels condescending or trite - Baer's explanations of how obsessive worries work, how they differ from 'normal thought processes' and how to treat them are frank but hugely empathetic.

It's aimed primarily at sufferers of OCD, but I'd honestly recommend it to everybody.