Nearly six million Americans suffer from the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, which can manifest itself in many ways: paralyzing fear of contamination; unmanageable “checking” rituals; excessive concern with order, symmetry, and counting; and others Freedom from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders provides Dr. Johnathan Grayson's revolutionary and compassionate program for finally breaking the cycle of overwhelming fear and endless rituals, including: Self-assessment tests that guide readers in identifying their specific type of OCD and help track their progress in treatment - Case studies from Dr. Grayson’s revolutionary and profoundly successful treatment program - Blueprints for programs tailored to particular manifestations of OCD - Previously unexplored manifestations of OCD such as obsessive staring, Relationship OCD (R-OCD), obsessive intolerance of environmental sounds and chewing sounds - Therapy scripts to help individuals develop their own therapeutic voice, to motivate themselves to succeed - New therapies used in conjunction with exposure techniques - “Trigger sheets” for identifying and planning for obstacles that arise in treatment - Information on building a support group - And much more Demystifying the process of OCD assessment and treatment, this indispensable book helps sufferers make sense of their own compulsions through frank, unflinching self-evaluation, and provides not only the knowledge of how to change—but the courage to do it. "Dr. Grayson... writes about [OCD] with the mind of a scholar and the heart of a healer. Anyone who is plagued with chronic doubt, anxiety, and destructive rigid social behavior should read this book, and listen to what it says." — Daniel Gottlieb, Ph.D., host of NPR's Voices in the Family "Not just another self-help book, this is an actual course of interactive therapy that breaks the cycle of fears and ritual. Dr. Grayson's uniquely empathetic and effective approach offers readers the understanding and motivation they need to get well—and stay well."— Patricia B. Perkins, J.D., executive director, Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation Jonathan B. Grayson, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist (PSY26643), director of the Grayson Center and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry & the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California where he lectures and supervises residents.  Dr Grayson has been specializing in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) for more than 35 years and is a nationally recognized expert and author of  Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: a Personalized Recovery Program for Living with Uncertainty, a self-help guide for sufferers. In 2010, the International OCD Foundation awarded Dr. Grayson the Patty Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award for his devotion and contributions to the treatment of those with OCD. In October of 2010, the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies gave his book,   Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, the Self Help Book of Merit Award, recognizing his book as providing sufferers with the highest level of information about the best practices treatment for OCD. Dr. Grayson has presented workshops and written numerous articles and book chapters for both professional and lay audiences, including two manual/ videotape sets made for the International OCD Foundation (The GOAL Handbook: Running a Successful Support Group for OCD and  How to Recognize and Respond to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in School Age Children) . His work and expertise has been featured in national media including,  People Magazine ,  The Oprah Winfrey Show and  Nightline . He serves on both the Scientific Advisory Board and the Speakers Bureau of the International OCD Foundation. In 1981, along with Gayle Frankel (the former president of the Philadelphia Affiliate of the OC Foundation), he started the first support group in the country for OCD. In 2015, helped to form and donate his time to a free GOAL support group in LA. Finally, he has the distinction of being the first and possibly the only professional to run a yearly OCD camping trip. Acknowledgments Introduction I was standing in an open field, looking back into the forest and brush, watching the others struggle their way out. It was raining. I had purposely taken everyone off trail through trees and undergrowth so densely packed that forward movement was a slow process of stepping over and through bushes and being on guard for branches snapping back from whoever was in front of you. Melanie, the fourth person to emerge into the freedom of the clearing, shouted, “I’m having a great time!” The photographer documenting our trip for People magazine snapped a picture. Seeing Melanie’s joy, it was hard to connect this woman with the one I’d met seven months earlier at my former center, The Anxiety and Agoraphobia Treatment Center in Philadelphia. When I met Melanie at our first session, she was an extreme suicide risk— all