The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts

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Also included are guides for seeking help and importantly, in my opinion, for administering self-help. The presentation is direct and straight forward. As you get to around half way this book switches gears and shows proven methods of how to "cure" yourself of these obsessive thoughts. It puts the solution into simple to understand means, things that when you read you think to yourself, "wow this makes sense, is that all there there is to it". Of course as this book points out, actually doing these steps to manage these thoughts can be more difficult that simply knowing or reading how to do it. Thankfully and encouragingly it does also show show examples of patients who have been "cured" of these obsessive thoughts by the methods prescribed in this book. To illustrate this point, each of my patients whose thoughts are summarized below (many of whom you'll meet in later chapters) told me that his or her particular bad thoughts focused squarely on whatever was for him or her the most inappropriate, awful, or shameful thing he or she could think of doing: It honestly strikes me as tragic that intrusive thoughts about harm inevitably target either ourselves or the people closest to us; those we love and most fear harming: Parents, siblings, romantic partners, spouses, children and grandchildren (especially in the case of the many mothers [41% of those with postpartum depression] who experience these thoughts for the first time about their child). More often than not, the OCD sufferer is seen as quirky and oh-so-endearing, not dissimilar to a dim pet that you look on lovingly but pityingly. Usually, their function in the story is funny and silly and, most importantly, their illness is something they want to do, rather than something they would do anything to get rid of.

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As someone who has struggled with obsessive thoughts for as long as I can remember, it was amazing to read this book. I wish I found it years ago. Though I knew much of the information due to my own research and being in the mental health field, it was refreshing getting to read this book and hear individual stories and how Dr. Baer's clients worked through their issues. He had been but a teenager when the thoughts began. When he had told his superior about them, he was told they would pass with time, and to be patient. Only they didn't. It wasn't that he had trouble maintaining his vow of chastity—that he was sure he could do. Rather, it was the vulgar images that played over and over in his mind, and the way he felt compelled to stare at women's private parts. The very thing he was most afraid of doing—the very thing that seemed most disgusting to him—why was he having these very thoughts and urges?Of course, Lee also refers to the work of Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person. Lee argues that many people who struggle with intrusive thoughts may also be ‘highly sensitive.’ The argument is not supported empirically and could potentially further pathologize those that identify as highly sensitive. Lee Baer considered E.A. Poe's description of the nature of obsessive compulsive thought, although not directly attributed by him, as the most elegant and complete, beyond any doctor's thesis or description. He shares it in the book and it here follows:

The imp of the mind by Lee Baer | Open Library

Some TV shows and films have dabbled in OCD storylines over the years, to varying degrees of prominence and accuracy. These range from the surprisingly good (Michael J Fox in Scrubs), to the unsurprisingly bad (Monk), to the questionable (Hoarders), to the totally fictional and outright saccharine (As Good As It Gets).Modified from Rachman, S., & de Silva, P. (1978). Abnormal and normal obsessions. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 16, 233-248.)

Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive

In the first book to fully examine obsessive bad thoughts, Dr. Lee Baer combines the latest research with his own extensive experience in treating this widespread syndrome. Drawing on information ranging from new advances in brain technology to pervasive social taboos, Dr. Baer explores the root causes of bad thoughts, why they can spiral out of control, and how to recognize the crucial difference between harmless and dangerous bad thoughts. An innate and primitive principle of human action, a paradoxical something, which we may call Perverseness, for want of a more characteristic term.... Through its promptings we act, for the reason that we should not. In theory, no reason can be unreasonable: But, in fact, there is none more strong. With certain minds, under certain conditions, it becomes absolutely irresistible. I am not more certain that I breathe, than that the assurance of the wrong word or error of any action is often the one unconquerable force which impels us, and alone impels us to its prosecution. Nor will this overwhelming tendency to do wrong for the wrong's sake, admit of analysis, or resolution into ulterior elements. It is a radical, a primitive impulse-- elementary....Okay, so I'm reading the book The Imp of the Mind, and it goes through several factors of when someone should be worried of their intrusive thoughts. One of them was basically if you're having suicidal ideation, get help. ASAP. All the others, as far as harming others, I can say don't apply to me... but the suicidal ideation does. I'm just so tired of having these thoughts, they terrify me. When it comes down to it, I know, I KNOW that I don't want to harm others but I think if I have to kill myself to protect others from me, I will. The thought of dying does somewhat comfort me in knowing that I won't have to deal with these thoughts and won't have to worry about harming others. I don't want to kill myself, which is why I'm seeking emergency help when I get off of work tonight, but even more so, I don't want to harm others. Informative, interesting and incredibly accessible. The writing is clear and concise, with a sort of gentle therapist's tone that never feels condescending or trite - Baer's explanations of how obsessive worries work, how they differ from 'normal thought processes' and how to treat them are frank but hugely empathetic. The key words "are from". This means you feel that the thoughts you are having are from another source other than your conscious involvement in them. The Imp of the Perverse will try to torment you with thoughts of whatever it is you consider to be the most inappropriate or awful thing that you could do.