Dr. Penzel has produced a comprehensive book about OCD and its related disorders, including body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), trichotillomania (TTM), and skin picking and nail biting. These disorders are part of the "obsessive-compulsive spectrum," so we call them obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders - OCSDs. The symptoms of these disorders have some similarities and people with one disorder are more likely than the general population to have another one of the disorders.
What we know about the causes and contributing factors of OCSDs is covered extensively. Most important, Dr. Penzel describes self-help strategies for OCD, BDD, TTM, and skin picking and nail biting. Little is written about skin picking and its treatment, so this is a valuable resource for people with this problem. Some people will want to get professional help for OCSDs, and Dr. Penzel helps the reader find the right treatment.
Obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders affect many people, and not just the sufferer. A section of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, A Complete Guide to Getting Well and Staying Well helps family members support their loved one with an OCSD and oppose the disorder rather than each other.
As one who has dealt with OCD in my own life, my favorite chapter is chapter 7 - Recovery and Acceptance. Dr. Penzel encourages hope through treatment, then leads us to acceptance. He describes five acceptances:
Accept yourself
Accept others
Accept the illness and the nature of the illness
Accept the nature of the task of therapy
Accept the nature of the task of ongoing recovery
Acceptance is important, not accepting life dominated by an OCSD, but life living in recovery. For many of us, the OCSD will always be with us, but we can choose to limit the effects on our lives through knowledge and application of cognitive behavior therapy principles. Thank you Dr. Penzel for a tremendous resource for people affected by OCSDs.
Read more about Dr. Penzel's book at http://www.ocdbook.com/
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