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The Thought That Counts

A Firsthand Account of One Teenager's Experience with Obsessive-compulsive DIsorder

Paperback

Published: 1st March 2008
For Ages: 14 - 17 years old
Ships: 7 to 10 business days
RRP $19.95
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For the more than 2 million Americans with obsessive-compulsive disorder, the intrusive thoughts and uncontrollable behaviors can take a harsh toll, as author Jared Douglas Kant knows all too well. Diagnosed with OCD at age 11, Jared became ruled by dread of deadly germs and diseases, the unrelenting need to count and check things, and a persistent, nagging doubt that overshadowed his life.
In The Thought that Counts, Jared shares his deeply personal account of trial, tribulation, and ultimately triumph. Using anecdotes, narratives and sidebars, this book adds a human face to a complex disorder. Jared's funny, often touching, sometimes harrowing tale makes for compelling reading. Yet his memoir is only half the story. With the help of psychologist Martin Franklin, Ph.D., and veteran science writer Linda Wasmer Andrews, Jared paints the big picture for other teens with OCD. Drawing on the latest scientific and medical evidence, he explains how to recognize warning signs, where to find help, and what treatments have proved effective. Jared also offers practical suggestions on managing the symptoms of OCD at home, at school, and in relationships with family and friends. The result is both an absorbing memoir and a useful guide that will help to ease the isolation caused by OCD, assuring anyone recently diagnosed with the disease that, with commitment and hard work, they can overcome this illness.
Part of the Adolescent Mental Health Initiative series of books written specifically for teens and young adults, this volume offers hope to young people who are struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder, helping them to overcome the challenges of this illness and go on to lead healthy, productive lives.

"This book is a searing personal account about life with OCD, and as a fellow sufferer, I was impressed by the unique insight it gives the reader...[I]t's the extraordinary testimony of a sufferer that makes the book so powerful; Kant takes the reader into that exclusive club sufferers belong to, and I found myself nodding in recognition throughout. This book will strike a chord with sufferers, and will help many readers understand what OCD really means. "--Ian Puleston-Davies, The Daily Mail, London

Forewordp. ix
Prefacep. xiii
On Second (and Third and Fourth) Thought: Obsessions and Compulsionsp. 3
My Storyp. 3
Diseases, Physical and Mentalp. 4
Disasters Waiting to Happenp. 6
Less-Than-Happy Camperp. 7
Invasion of the Mind Snatchersp. 8
The Big Picturep. 10
So What Exactly Is OCD?p. 11
What Forms Can the Disorder Take?p. 13
How Common Is OCD?p. 19
What Causes the Disorder?p. 20
What's the Least I Need to Know?p. 26
Slippery Slope to the Hospital: Diagnosis and Hospitalizationp. 28
My Storyp. 28
Darkness Falls Earlyp. 29
The World Gets Scarierp. 31
Toxic Fears and Poisonous Thoughtsp. 32
Desperate and Despairingp. 34
Inside a Psych Wardp. 35
The Big Picturep. 38
What Are the Warning Signs?p. 38
Where Can I Turn for Help?p. 41
How Is a Diagnosis of OCD Made?p. 43
What Kinds of Treatment Really Work?p. 44
When Is Hospitalization Helpful?p. 46
What's the Least I Need to Know?p. 48
Adventures in Daily Living: OCD at Home and Schoolp. 50
My Storyp. 50
Locker Room Meltdownp. 52
Just Following Ordersp. 53
Retracing My Stepsp. 54
Paying Scrupulous Attentionp. 56
Sorry for Everythingp. 57
The Big Picturep. 59
How Does OCD AFfect Life at Home?p. 61
How Does OCD Affect Life at School?p. 63
What Steps Help Manage OCD at School?p. 65
What Should You Tell Friends about OCD?p. 67
What's the Least I Need to Know?p. 70
Reaching for a Lifeline: Psychotherapy and Medicationp. 72
My Storyp. 72
Off to Boarding Schoolp. 73
Hitting the Panic Buttonp. 75
Winning by Surrenderp. 76
Cognitive-Behavioral Helpp. 79
Looking East for Inspirationp. 80
The Big Picturep. 83
What Form of CBT Is Most Effective?p. 85
What Types of Medication Are Helpful?p. 91
How Can I Pay for Treatment?p. 94
Which Self-Help Strategies Are Useful?p. 96
What's the Least I Need to Know?p. 97
Rituals, Routines, and Recovery: Living With OCDp. 99
My Storyp. 99
Staring Down OCDp. 100
Life Beyond High Schoolp. 102
Hoarding 101p. 104
Cleaning Up My Actp. 106
The Big Picturep. 107
How Does Substance Abuse Affect OCD?p. 110
How Are Tic Disorders Related to OCD?p. 112
What Are Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders?p. 114
Which Other Disorders Are Related to OCD?p. 116
What's the Outlook for My Future?p. 120
What's the Least I Need to Know?p. 121
Where I Was Is Not Where I Amp. 122
Romancing the Illnessp. 123
Does That Sound Rational?p. 126
The One-Shower Rulep. 127
Sweet Stink of Successp. 128
Tooling Up for the Futurep. 130
Frequently Asked Questionsp. 133
Glossaryp. 143
Resourcesp. 149
Bibliographyp. 157
Indexp. 161
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

ISBN: 9780195316896
ISBN-10: 0195316894
Series: Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands' Adolescent Mental Health Initiative
Audience: General
For Ages: 14 - 17 years old
For Grades: 9 - 12
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number Of Pages: 185
Published: 1st March 2008
Dimensions (cm): 21.031 x 15.215  x 1.346
Weight (kg): 0.264