Recommended Reading: The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent
Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts
By Lee Baer, PhD
From the Publisher
 In
The Imp of the Mind, a leading expert on obsessive compulsive
disorder (OCD) explores a hidden epidemic that afflicts millions of
Americans.
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.
From Publishers Weekly
Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of
obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychologist Baer (an associate
professor at Harvard) turns the spotlight on a little-known but
common form of obsession, "bad thoughts."
According to Baer, these "intrusive" thoughts
fall into a few basic types: violent, sexual and blasphemous words,
and images of a religious nature. Borrowing from Edgar Allan Poe,
Baer blames such mental torment on "the imp of the perverse," that
little devil inhabiting all human minds, cross-culturally and across
time, "who makes you think the most inappropriate thoughts at the
most inappropriate times."
For most people, the imp proves no more than a
"fleeting annoyance" most of the time, but for Baer's patients,
these impish thoughts create extreme fear, guilt and worry.
Attempting to suppress them only makes them stronger, leading the
afflicted to avoid places, people and situations that provoke them.
A new mother who obsessively thinks about harming
her infant, for example, may increasingly avoid daily caretaking
activities. Tending to be perfectionist and "overly conscientious,"
these people are highly unlikely ever to act on their bad thoughts,
Baer explains.
The most successful treatment, he says, involves
desensitizing individuals by increasingly (and safely) exposing them
to the situations that provoke their "bad thoughts"; cognitive
therapy is also helpful for many patients.... With an
easy-to-read style, Baer offers a comprehensive and accessible look
at this fascinating topic.
[available at
amazon.com and other stores]
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