Book Review: When a Family Member Has OCD

“Every family is a system of constantly moving parts. When one part of the system changes, it creates change in all the other parts. What this means is that when one family member experiences a mental health challenge, all family members are affected.” – Jon Hershfield, MFT, in When a Family Member has OCD Obsessive compulsive disorder can be incredibly disabling for the affected individual and completely baffling for the family. So much more than frequent hand washing, OCD can take over the life of those struggling with this disorder and that of their family. In his new book, When a Family Member has OCD: Mindfulness & Cognitive Behavioral Skills to Help Families Affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Jon Hershfield provides a guide for navigating the many twists and turns of supporting a family member with OCD, from understanding the illness and its treatment to coping with the complex family dynamics. Hershfield’s book provides a unique perspective as he has been on both sides of the therapeutic coin. In the introduction, he shares, “I grew up in an OCD family. By the time I asked for help for my OCD (around age fourteen), I was already used to hearing about ‘his OCD,’ ‘her OCD,’ ‘their OCD,’ and everybody else’s OCD throughout the family tree.” The son of a psychiatrist, he had the good fortune of a supportive and understanding family that helped him deal with his own mental illness, noting, “Mom sent me care packages in college wit...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Book Reviews Children and Teens Cognitive-Behavioral Disorders Family General Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Parenting Pediatrics for Parents Personal Stories Psychology Psychotherapy Relationships & Love Treatment books about f Source Type: news