1st Edition
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder A Guide for Family, Friends, and Pastors
Examine the fourth largest mental health problem in America—OCD—and how YOU can help!
Since obsessive-compulsive disorder affects 2.5% of the world population, someone you know is likely to have this disorder. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Guide for Family, Friends, and Pastors is a handy “physician's assistant” that not only provides a fresh overview of OCD but also focuses on the issue of scrupulosity—obsessive-compulsive anxiety over scruples in self and others—as a religious issue. Written by a pastoral counselor who is also a clinical social worker, this book will help you gain insight into the psychological and neurological dimensions of the disorder, the problems of those suffering from OCD, and the development of support groups.
Written with extensive knowledge and deep compassion, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Guide for Family, Friends, and Pastors presents the latest information available on OCD and its effects upon sufferers and their personal relationships. The information is discussed in both pastoral as well as therapeutic aspects, explaining OCD in the brain, then continuing with ways to help a sufferer manage the conflict. Special attention is paid to the issue of scrupulosity—“seeing sin where there is no sin”—which is especially symptomatic for many Roman Catholics, Orthodox Jews, and Orthodox Muslims. Filled with insightful case studies and a useful bibliography, this book helps you understand OCD from all sides while giving effective strategies for individual and group therapy.
In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Guide for Family, Friends, and Pastors you will find:
- answers to the most frequently asked questions
- detailed explanations of terms
- insightful information on pastoral caring
- an in-depth exploration of scrupulosity
- helpful information on trichotillomania (hair pulling), kleptomania (stealing), Tourette’s syndrome, body dysmorphoric disorder (hatred of a particular body part), and hypochondriasis
- case studies highlighting personal and relationship issues
- resources for developing support groups
- resources for further information on OCD
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1. A Walk Around the Perimeter of OCD
- The Need for Both Psychological Insight and Spiritual Discernment
- We Draw from Both the Old and the New
- Retooling Our Thinking
- Scrupulosity Is a Special Concern in Religion
- One of the Many Pastoral Concerns in OCD: Leave No Mother Behind
- Questions Often Asked
- Summary
- Chapter 2. Getting to Know OCD
- Helpful Terms
- Terms Most Used in Therapy Today
- Summary
- Chapter 3. Putting the Pieces of OCD Together
- Helpful Generalizations
- Seeing the Process Laid Out
- The Necessity for a Holistic Approach
- At the Extremes: An Emphasis Solely on a Physical or Mental Pole
- Summary
- Chapter 4. How OCD Affects the Person
- Implications for the Personality of the Individual
- Implications for Relationships
- Implications for Effective Caring for the Individual
- Summary
- Chapter 5. It All Starts with the Brain
- We Are Getting Clearer Pictures of Our Brains
- Looking Closely at How OCD Affects the Person
- OCD Easily Combines with Other Conditions
- Weeding Out Unpastoral Caring
- Summary
- Chapter 6. Helping to Manage the Conflict
- A Pastoral Orientation
- Doing the Work of Pastoral Care
- Reclaiming Our Pastoral Heritage
- Calling Upon Modern Insights
- Summary
- Chapter 7. Putting It All Together
- Scrupulosity: When Sharp-Edged Moralisms Put a Spin on Religion
- A Scenario for Scrupulosity
- Reflecting Pastorally on Scruples
- Summary
- Chapter 8. For Those Wanting to Go the Second Mile
- Pastoral Care in a Group Setting
- Models from Therapy
- Our Support Group Experience
- Some Lessons We Have Learned
- Appendix A. Resources
- Appendix B. Slices of Life
- Bryan’s Story
- Bill’s Story
- Sally’s Story
- Appendix C. The Spectrum Disorders
- Trichotillomania
- Kleptomania
- Tourette’s Syndrome
- Body Dysmorphoric Disorder
- Hypochondriasis
- Summary
- Index
- Reference Notes Included
Biography
Robert Collie, ThD, is a pastoral counselor and a licensed clinical social worker with ChoiceMakers Counseling Service in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Dr. Collie is also a clinical member of the OC Foundation, a Diplomate of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and a professional consultant to an obsessive-compulsive disorders support group. Dr. Collie is author of The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Pastoral Care for the Road to Change (Haworth) and The Confessional Prayers of a Pastoral Counselor, as well as a variety of articles on pastoral care and counseling issues. He is also a contributor to The New Dictionary of Pastoral Studies. Dr. Collie's professional interests include historical theology, innovative thinking on mental health, and pastoral counseling. His current research involves dual-diagnosis treatment of alcoholism and OCD.
