Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life - Softcover

Nicely, Shala; Wilson, Reid

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1732177007 ISBN 13: 9781732177000

Publisher: Nicely Done, LLC, 2018

Synopsis

"A masterfully written memoir-meets-educational-meets-inspirational tale that I couldn't put down." Ashley Smith, PhD, coauthor of Childhood Anxiety Disorders

A 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

About this title

About the Author

Shala Nicely is an OCD survivor, author, advocate and cognitive behavioral therapist specializing in the treatment of OCD and related disorders in Atlanta. She is author of Is Fred in the Refrigerator? Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life and coauthor with Jon Hershfield, MFT, of Everyday Mindfulness for OCD: Tips, Tricks and Skills for Living Joyfully. Shala produces the Shoulders Back! Tips & Resources for Taming OCD newsletter and blogs for Psychology Today, offering an inside perspective on life with OCD. 

Jeff Bell is an author, mental health advocate, and retired radio news anchor. His two books, Rewind, Replay, Repeat and When in Doubt, Make Belief, have established Jeff as a leading voice for mental health awareness and "Greater Good" motivation. He served for eight years as a national spokesperson and board member for the International OCD Foundation, and he co-founded the nonprofit A2A Alliance to showcase and foster the power of turning adversity into advocacy. Bell is a 30-year veteran of broadcast news and recently retired as co­-anchor of the KCBS Afternoon News, two-time winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast in America.

Reid Wilson, Ph.D., is author of Stopping the Noise in Your Head: The New Way to Overcome Anxiety and Worry and the classic self-help book Don't Panic: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks. He is co-author of Stop Obsessing! and Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents, as well as Playing with Anxiety. He is a Founding Clinical Fellow of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) and Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. In 2014 ADAA presented him with the highest national award given in his field. He offers self-help resources at anxieties.com and NoiseInYourHead.com.

Edition details

• Publisher: Nicely Done, LLC
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1732177007
• ISBN 13: 9781732177000
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 312