“We know that you can’t just talk about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—if you want improvement, you have to do something! The authors put wisdom, energy, and life in their book, as they join with youth to build coping skills via activities that are developmentally appropriate in tone, style, and language. OCD is treatable, and this workbook is helpful for youth to understand OCD and for therapists to accompany therapy. The exercises come with both readable examples and advice for how to ‘stay strong’ when it gets tough. Puliafico and Robin are a team of experts bringing their expertise to life in this readable and helpful book.”
—Philip C. Kendall, PhD, ABPP, Distinguished University Professor and Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology at Temple University
“Puliafico and Robin have done a great service for children with OCD and their parents. The activities in the workbook are clear, structured, and guided by the research on childhood OCD conceptualization and treatment. As a guide to accompany treatment with a trained clinician, the exercises here will undoubtedly serve as a great way to facilitate treatment and provide children with relief. I recommend it enthusiastically to parents of children with OCD and providers who regularly treat this condition.”
—Dean McKay, PhD, ABPP, professor of psychology at Fordham University
“In The OCD Workbook for Kids, Puliafico and Robin have created a masterpiece in the form of a step-by-step approach for helping children struggling with OCD (and their parents) in understanding and addressing this impairing condition. The writing style is fun, clear, and kid/parent friendly, and the text describes the core treatment components in an easy-to-understand manner. Given the difficulty that so many families of a child with OCD experience in accessing effective care, this book has the promise to help many children live their fullest, happiest life.”
—Eric Storch, PhD, professor and All Children’s Hospital Guild Endowed Chair at the University of South Florida
“As a child and adolescent psychiatrist that works with children diagnosed with OCD and their families, this workbook provides a much-needed resource for not only children and families living with OCD, but also for providers. The authors present the material in a way that is both understandable and engaging for young readers, and the many examples, activities, and handouts provide ample guidance for children, parents, and therapists.”
—Moira A. Rynn, MD, consulting professor and chair in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books
Copyright © 2017 by Anthony C. Puliafico and Joanna A. Robin
Instant Help Books
An imprint of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com
Cover model is used for illustrative purposes only
Cover design by Amy Shoup
Acquired by Jess O’Brien
Edited by Brady Kahn
All Rights Reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file
A Letter to Caregivers vii
Part 1: Getting to Know Your OCD
Activity 1: What Exactly is OCD?
Activity 2: Regular Thoughts Vs. Sticky Thoughts
Activity 3: Understanding Your Sticky Thoughts
Activity 4: What Are Your Compulsions?
Activity 5: Why OCD's Rules Don't Work!
Part 2: You and Your OCD
Activity 6: How Does OCD Affect Your Life?
Activity 7: What Is Your OCD's Name?
Activity 8: Who's on Your Team?
Activity 9: What's Your Rating?
Activity 10: Keeping Track of Your Compulsions
Part 3: Getting Stronger Than Your OCD
Activity 11: Standing Up to Your OCD
Activity 12: Just Notice and Be Patient
Activity 13: Brave Challenges and Why We Do Them
Activity 14: Saying No to Compulsions
Activity 15: Building Your Brave-Challenge Tower
Activity 16: Getting Started with Brave Challenges
Activity 17: Get Dirty! Exposure Ideas for Contamination Sticky Thoughts
Activity 18: Live with Risk! Exposure Ideas for Safety Sticky Thoughts
Activity 19: Make Mistakes! Exposure Ideas for Being-Perfect Sticky Thoughts
Activity 20: It’s Just a Thought! Exposure Ideas for “Bad” Sticky Thoughts
Activity 21: Do It Wrong! Exposure Ideas for Not-Right Sticky Thoughts
Activity 22: Keep Climbing Your Brave-Challenge Tower
Activity 23: Enlisting Your Team to Help with Brave Challenges
Part 5: Staying Strong
Activity 24: Refueling Your Mind and Body (Sleep, Eating, Exercise)
Activity 25: What to Do When OCD Follows You to School
Activity 26: Is OCD Hanging Out with You and Your Friends?
Activity 27: When You Don’t Feel So Strong
Activity 28: Staying Strong!
A Caregiver’s Guide to Brave Challenges 144
References 146