Breaking Free of OCD: My Battle With Mental Pain and How God Rescued Me Kindle Edition

If you have OCD, or love someone who does, this book is very helpful and accessible. Jeff has done a great service with this book, especially if you are operating within a Christian worldview. However, his general description of things would be helpful for anyone, regardless of overt faith commitments (or lack thereof).

I felt like this was more or less a "three-in-one." One part story of Jeff's journey, one part explanation of OCD as Jeff understands it, with generous attribution to other writers, and one part strategies Jeff found helpful in dealing with his OCD. The best thing about this book is that it is an authentic, middle of the journey story. Since OCD is not a journey that ends, I think it has to be this way.In that respect, the title is a little misleading since OCD is not something one breaks free of so much as it is something one accomodates and manages. The "breaking free" part is getting to a place where OCD is not dominating all of life. The present tense of "breaking" communicates well that it is not a once for all journey, but rather a daily challenge, shifting with the stresses of life and the stages of life's journey.Perhaps what I like the most is that it broke the silence. In my life, as Jeff also recounts, staying silent about struggles gives them a power in my life, heart, and mind they do not deserve. Jeff, thank you for sharing openly, not completely or perfectly, about a disorder that wrestles to prevent that. The freedom of walking in openness, and light, is a huge relief when silence means giving more voice to disordered internal messages that mislead and damage relationships with ourselves, with others, and with God--who is obviously a huge part of Jeff's journey as a pastor and a Christ-follower.For people who make room in their lives for God, this provides a good model of honoring that while dealing with a problem that scientists and clinicians also know much about. For those that do not make room in their lives for God, this book still provides plenty of useful reflection from the journey, from the behavioral sciences, and from the options for treatment and management of OCD, one person to another.

I am married to a husband who struggles with OCD, and it was hard to understand or even navigate our conversations and interactions because I was uncertain & confused. I also felt so troubled because he is distant and isolated a lot of the times.. and can get in awful moods. So, I just couldn’t understand him, because normally people don’t react this way. I also felt like I couldn’t rely on him at all because he was fragile and mentally unstable. So I kept trying to pick up the pieces and make sense of it, but it’s so relieving to know that OCD just doesn’t make sense. It’s not me and it’s not anything that he really believes in.. it’s irrational thoughts driven a lot of anxiety and fear. Although, it saddens me greatly to see my husband under so much pain and stress.. I just wish that it would go away too. However, I know that I can be there for him by talking to him, giving him hope, and remind myself of hope, and praying. I just gotta keep praying. God will come through.Thank you for being brave and sharing your experience to give insight and hope for others who live with someone who is fighting OCD.

Fantastic book. As a practicing LCPC I’m certain this book will help others suffering in the grip of OCD. The author’s transparency is powerful and refreshing in validating others that are struggling. If you aren’t a person of faith, you might not appreciate some of the suggestions he gives regarding God and the Bible helping you through such a debilitating time. However, there is still helpful information to glean regarding how relentless OCD can be, along with educating the reader about the biological component associated with this mental disorder. Since I am a Christian, his sections on faith truly resonated with me. Quick, exceptional read!

This book is great for Christians and also for non Christians. Don't let the cover turn you away from this blessing of a book. Jeff combines the gospel and ocd really well. One does not have to be an expert to understand the content. It looks at the disorder from a technical/biological standpoint and also as a spiritual issue. As one who has been a sufferer of the disorder for many years, to say this book was a blessing to read is an understatement. I feel the Lord led me to this book. My recommendation would be to read at least the introduction and I would think the reader would have a desire to finish the book. The content is excellent and should become a great resource for the ocd community.

This is a very helpful book for any Christian who struggles with OCD. Would also be great for the friends and family of an OCD sufferer.

It has a good overview of OCD, and also approach it from Christianity perspective.

Great read with compassion and truth. Thank you for your testimony to a God who walks through valleys with us, when He decides not to take them away. I am a 35 year member who is bit freer after reading your book!