Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life by Shala Nicely LPC (PDF)

Description

“A masterfully written memoir-meets-educational-meets-inspirational tale that I couldn’t put down.” Ashley Smith, PhD, coauthor of Childhood Anxiety DisordersA gripping memoir that gives voice to the invisible, life-destroying power of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and how one woman stood up to fear, embraced the unknown, and reclaimed her life.Even at nine years old, Shala Nicely knew there was nothing normal about the horrifying thoughts that tormented her at bedtime, or the nightly rituals she summoned to beat them back. More importantly, she knew to obey her mind’s Rule #1: keep its secret, or risk losing everything and everyone she loved.It would be almost two decades before she learned the name of the menacing monster holding her hostage: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It would take years longer to piece together the keys to recovery that would change her life forever, beginning with the day she broke her monster’s silence.Writing with wry wit, unflinching candor, and resounding insight, Shala takes readers on a riveting journey into the dark and dimly understood inner workings of OCD and its frequent co-conspirator, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Thwarted repeatedly as she struggles to escape the clutches of these formidable foes, she finally stumbles upon an unexpected path to freedom. As she journeys into the heart of fear to reclaim her life, she weaves a self-compassionate roadmap to recovery—to living in an uncertain world and being happy anyway.With an Afterword by Reid Wilson, PhD offering powerful guidance for applying Shala’s strategies in daily life, Is Fred in the Refrigerator? will leave legions of those affected by mental illness feeling seen, understood, and empowered.”A memoir … about all of us with this kind of mind.” Jon Hershfield, MFT, author of Overcoming Harm OCD”One of the clearest descriptions of the experience of OCD … you’ll cry, you’ll cheer, and you’ll put your shoulders back with Shala as she conquers the OCD demon.” Randy O. Frost, PhD, Harold and Elsa Siipola Israel Professor of Psychology at Smith College and coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Reading some books is like “Damn. How did you get inside my head? I relate to Shala’s story on so many levels. I completely understand her desire for perfection and affirmation. I share her people pleasing tenancies. I also have struggled with OCD for many years. I started having intrusive thoughts at the age of 8. OCD was never even on my radar until last month. The more I learned about OCD the more things made sense and clicked into place. Like Shala, I did about 10 years of traditional talk therapy. I did everything I was supposed to. I tried different counselors. I went weekly for over 2 years. Yet, I never made progress. In fact, I felt worse at the end than I did at the beginning. I never even considered OCD as a possibility until I listened to a podcast where the host interviewed a woman from North Carolina who lives with OCD. The podcast sometimes addressed mental health, but that was not the main focus. As I listened to the guest tell her story, I was shocked to realized I had many of the thoughts. Was it possible that I could really have OCD and not know it for well over half my life? I threw myself into researching OCD. I listened to OCD podcasts, I read books, I even reached out to the guest from the podcast. The more I learned about OCD, the more I realized the truth. I hot a therapist that specializes in ERP and understands OCD. I was terrified to tell my counselor about my intrusive thoughts. Her expression didn’t even change. My first session with my therapist was a 90 minute OCD assessment. I fully expected her to tell me I didn’t meet the criteria for OCD. Instead, I was officially diagnosed with OCD at the age of 45. I can tell you that Shala has not exaggerated the misery and mental torture that comes with OCD. She tells the full, ugly truth. There were parts that were hard to read because they hit way too close to home. I am still in treatment. ERP is not fun or easy, but it works. I have definitely made progress. Am I currently in recovery? No. But I WILL get there. I have been feeling very discouraged lately. But this book gave me the motivation to keep going. If you have OCD, you NEED to read this book. If a friend or family member has OCD and you want to get a better idea of what a person with OCD goes through, read this book. Mental illness is stigmatized, but OCD is one of the most stigmatized and misunderstand. It is often joked about .phrases like “Everyone is a little OCD” and “I’m so OCD” are tossed around casually. But OCD is not funny or a joke. It is hell. The mental torment unrelenting. For a person with OCD, its not as simple as “Just don’t think about it” Recovery is not quick or easy. Its messy. Setbacks and relapses will happen. But recovery is possible.Thank you Shala for telling your story with such honesty. Thank you for being willing to admit you still struggle rather than wrapping everything up in a neat little bow. You have made me feel more hopeful and less alone.

⭐If you have, or someone you know has, OCD, this book is a must read! You’ll be glad you did!

⭐The author is a type A over achiever who has been successful in everything in her life. Keep it on mind that althoughnshe has suffered at the hands of her OCD, she has been married 2 or 3 times, steadily employed at good, high paying jobs, graduated from college, got advanced degrees, and when she vouldnt find a therapist, managed her own therapy.If your own life hasnt been as succesful, its a bit hard to relate. I’ m not saying i was jealous, but as someone whose OCD has made it hard to leave the house, it was really overwhelming to take in all this achievment and success and still understand the depth of suffering she experienced.I guess it just goes to show that mental illness can strike anyone, anywhere, and you really cant tell by looking at someone’s life.The ideas and experiences are intense, almost triggering at some points. Many of them turned out to be useful, or interesting, later, but again, this is a no holds barred , full speed ahead kind of person, and thats how she presents things. If you have OCD right now, font plan on reading this straight through. If you are just curious what it can be like, its a pretty good depiction.

⭐This is a powerful, entertaining, and deeply moving account of a girl growing up with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and not knowing what it was. Just realizing she was different, and fearing she would never get better, or even be able to tell anyone what she was going through, she suffered for decades. Even as an adult, she could not find proper help for many years and suffered tremendously. You will be riveted to this story, and feel on the spot with Shala as she goes through life attempting to please her OCD monster and its demanding rules.What makes this true story even better is that Shala went back to school and made a mid life change in careers. She became a therapist specializing in treating OCD. She has become the expert she wishes she herself could have found earlier in life and now has devoted her life to helping others. I have had the privilege of meeting Shala at the International OCD Foundation conferences. She is a delight in person, and writes true to who she is. This is the best autobiography on living with OCD since Jeff Bell’s terrific memoir, Rewind, Replay, Repeat. You won’t be disappointed. If you have OCD, or know someone who does, waste no time in getting this amazing book. I am also personally a sufferer of OCD who became a therapist specializing in treating the disorder. I encourage my clients to read this book to better understand themselves and the disorder. Shala and her book are great gifts to our community.

⭐Great book that you can not only bond with but learn so much about OCD. Anyone with OCD can easily relate to the stories , feelings and pain getting through this awful disorder, but it can be done . The last couple of chapters really gives you insight and hope on how to live with this disease. It will never go away but you can live a wonderful life and help yourself free yourself from the torturous thoughts that we all have.Kudos for having the courage to write this book , thank you for all your insights and God Bless.

⭐This is the first book I have read by a fellow sufferer of OCD which offers a perspective that you cannot have unless you are in the same boat. This book has really opened my eyes to new ways of living with this illness and learning to embrace fear, doubt and uncertainty. I hope this book helps you like it has helped me.

⭐Some questions were raised and answered. And more questions were left to be answered later because we do not have thousands of pages. Three important points: 1) OCD may be a long term problem 2) Effective treatment is available 3) OCD sufferers may see the absurdity of OCD (even while still feeling the pain.)Looking for Fred in the fridge while Fred the cat is next to her, wondering what she is doing … I know I shouldn’t laugh!

⭐Shala does a superb job of unpacking the confusion and distress caused by OCD. For me the book really becomes personally impactful in the later chapters when she tackles how she turns the tables and fights back against her OCD. Shala details some great strategies which I intend to re-read. Shala writes with incredible honesty and integrity throughout. Thankyou Shala

⭐An incredible, inspiring and moving read, which beautifully explains the lesser known complex natures of OCD and how to help yourself with recovery. Funny, honest, heart-warning and really motivating. Thank you Shala!

⭐This book is unique and is inspirational if you want to recover from OCD. It is brutally frank and reveals an amazing journey. If you want to develop the right mindset to battle this difficult opponent then this may well help you.

⭐The book is best described as a treatment manual narrative for those with OCD. Strategies used are recognized by all Therapist.

⭐A must read to understand ocd. Motivating book. Thank you Shala and team

Keywords

Free Download Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life in PDF format
Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life PDF Free Download
Download Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life 2018 PDF Free
Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life 2018 PDF Free Download
Download Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life PDF
Free Download Ebook Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life