Obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD is a common mental health condition that affects one out of every 40 adults aged 18 and above in the United States alone. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a highly treatable mental health condition. However, many people with OCD do not receive treatment. This article will list some popular CBT workbooks for OCD and OCD workbooks created specifically for teens. Additionally, you will find free resources; including workbook downloads, as cost-free options to utilize. If you have OCD, you are not alone, and it is important to remember that many people with OCD live a happy and fulfilling life. The resources below can be used in conjunction with treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, or you may utilize them alone or while waiting to receive treatment. Either way, if you are reading this article, you are likely taking steps to improve your symptoms, and that is something to be proud of.
Here are some workbooks and other resources to consider.
CBT Workbooks
Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT, and more specifically, a subtype of cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT called exposure and response prevention therapy or ERP, is typically the first line of treatment for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. For all information regarding specific treatments and therapies, please consult a medical or mental health professional. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a well-researched form of treatment that is non-invasive and helps people with a wide variety of mental health concerns, including OCD, anxiety, and depression. Although a cognitive-behavioral therapy workbook cannot replace seeing a professional for cognitive-behavioral therapy, it can help you learn CBT skills independently. If you have been searching the web for "CBT for OCD Workbook" or "CBT workbooks for OCD," you are in luck. Here are some CBT workbooks that can help with OCD and the anxieties affiliated with the condition:
"The OCD Workbook: Your guide to breaking free from obsessive-compulsive Disorder"
by Bruce M. Hyman, Ph.D., and Cherry Pedrick, RN.
"Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-Based Guide to Getting Over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts Paperback" by Sally M. Winston, PsyD, and Martin N. Seif, Ph.D.
"Getting Over OCD: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life" by Jonathan S. Abramowitz, Ph.D.
"The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" by Bruce M. Hyman, Ph.D. LCSW and Cherlene Pedrick, RN.
"Daring to Challenge OCD: Overcome Your Fear of Treatment & Take Control of Your Life Using Exposure & Response Prevention" by Joan Davidson, Ph.D.
"The Anti-Anxiety Workbook: Proven Strategies to Overcome Worry Phobias Panic and Obsessions" by Martin M. Antony, Ph.D. and Peter J. Norton, Ph.D.
You can find these workbooks online through websites like Amazon, or you can get them from a local bookstore or large retailer, such as Barnes & Noble. All of the workbooks listed above are easy to find new or used with a quick web search. Most in-person retailers have a psychology and self-help section, which is where you will typically find CBT workbooks and other workbooks for mental health or self-help.
OCD Workbooks for Children and Adolescents
The obsessive-compulsive disorder affects one out of every one hundred kids under the age of 18. Here are some OCD workbooks geared toward kids and teens that can help:
"Free from OCD: A Workbook for Teens with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" by T. Sisemore.
"The OCD Workbook for Kids: Skills to Help Children Manage Obsessive Thoughts and Compulsive Behaviors" by A. Puliafico.
"OCD - Tools to Help You Fight Back!: A CBT Workbook for Young People" by Cynthia Turner, Chloë Volz, and Georgina Krebs.
"What to Do When Your Brain Is Stuck: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming OCD” by Dawn Huebner.
You may also find books like "Parenting Kids with OCD: A Guide to Understanding and Supporting Your Child with OCD" by B. Zucker helpful if you are a parent with a newly diagnosed child. Again, you should be able to find these books using a quick online search, heading to a bookstore near you or at your local library. If a book is not in stock at your bookstore of choice, many stores will order a copy in and hold it for you until you can pick it up if you speak with a store employee.
Free Workbooks and Downloads
If you have been searching free self-help workbooks by mail or open workbooks online, there are a surprising number of options to choose from.
"The OCD Workbook: Your Guide to Breaking Free from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" by Bruce M. Hyman, Ph.D., and Cherlene Pedrick, RN, also listed above under "CBT Workbooks," is an excellent option for those with obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you cannot spend the money to order a copy online or buy it in a bookstore, you can download the PDF on pdfdrive.com.
"The Mindfulness Workbook for OCD: A Guide to Overcoming Obsessions and Compulsions Using Mindfulness" by Jon Hershfield and Tom Corboy is downloadable via PDF on pdfdrive.com.
"Free from OCD: A Workbook for Teens with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" by T. Sisemore is another book that is listed above. This one is made specifically for teens with obsessive-compulsive disorder. You can download a copy free on pdfdrive.com.
"Breaking free from OCD: Overcoming obsessive-compulsive disorder with CBT" by Paul Salkovskis, Fiona Challacombe, and Victoria Bream Oldfield is another book that can help you to learn CBT skills as someone with OCD. The book is downloadable via PDF on pdfdrive.com.
"Help for Harm OCD" by Debra Kissen, Ph.D., MHSA, Ashley Kendall, Ph.D., and Michelle Lozano, AMFT is a free ebook that is specific to harm OCD. You can find the PDF for the book on lightonanxiety.com.
Other resources, such as support groups and online forums, are different ways to support obsessive-compulsive disorder and similar conditions.
Support Groups and Forums
Here are some free online forums for those with obsessive-compulsive disorder:
The OCD Forum On mentalhealthforum.net
The obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD forum on mentalhealthforum.net is one of the many mental health forums on the website. https://www.mentalhealthforum.net/forum/forums/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd-forum.46/.
My OCD Community
My OCD Community is a forum on healthunlocked.com for those with OCD. https://healthunlocked.com/my-ocd.
The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Forum on Psychforums.com
Psychforums.com is another forum website with a variety of mental health forums to choose from. The OCD forum on psych forums.com is listed under the category of anxiety disorder forums. https://www.psychforums.com/obsessive-compulsive/.
Support groups, unlike forums, typically meet at specific times on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Some support groups take place in person, where others operate online or over voice calls. To find a support group near you, you can search the web for "OCD support groups near me," or you can use an online tool such as the resource finder tool on the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) website, located here. Often, mental health providers who specialize in working with OCD will be able to give you a recommendation for support groups in your area as well.
Getting OCD Treatment
If you are looking for obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment and are not sure where to turn, there are varieties of routes you can take. One of the most common places people start looking for treatment for a mental health disorder is their general doctor. Make an appointment with your primary care physician or any medical provider that works as an available doctor. They will likely be able to give you a referral to a counselor or therapist or point you in the right direction. Additionally, it is very common for people to find therapists and counselors by searching the web for "therapists near me" or "mental health counselors near me." When looking for an OCD therapist or counselor specifically, you would search for "OCD therapist near me or "OCD counselors near me" using your search engine of choice. Another option is to check with your insurance company by calling them or visiting their website and seeing whom they cover near you. If you are struggling to find a mental health provider, you can use the provider search tool located in the upper right-hand corner of the Mind Diagnostics website. You can also utilize online therapy websites such as Better Help if you are interested in seeking treatment remotely.
Take the Mind Diagnostics OCD Test
Are you wondering if you might have obsessive-compulsive disorder? If so, consider taking the Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test. The Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test is not a replacement for an evaluation or diagnosis from a medical or mental health professional, but taking it might just be the first step to getting the help you need. Although obsessive-compulsive disorder affects people of all ages, the Mind Diagnostics OCD test is for those aged 18 and older.
Click here to take the Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test.
