Is Fred in the Refrigerator?: Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life

This is a powerful, entertaining, and deeply moving account of a girl growing up with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and not knowing what it was. Just realizing she was different, and fearing she would never get better, or even be able to tell anyone what she was going through, she suffered for decades. Even as an adult, she could not find proper help for many years and suffered tremendously. You will be riveted to this story, and feel on the spot with Shala as she goes through life attempting to please her OCD monster and its demanding rules.What makes this true story even better is that Shala went back to school and made a mid life change in careers. She became a therapist specializing in treating OCD. She has become the expert she wishes she herself could have found earlier in life and now has devoted her life to helping others. I have had the privilege of meeting Shala at the International OCD Foundation conferences. She is a delight in person, and writes true to who she is. This is the best autobiography on living with OCD since Jeff Bell's terrific memoir, Rewind, Replay, Repeat. You won't be disappointed. If you have OCD, or know someone who does, waste no time in getting this amazing book. I am also personally a sufferer of OCD who became a therapist specializing in treating the disorder. I encourage my clients to read this book to better understand themselves and the disorder. Shala and her book are great gifts to our community.

The author is a type A over achiever who has been successful in everything in her life. Keep it on mind that althoughnshe has suffered at the hands of her OCD, she has been married 2 or 3 times, steadily employed at good, high paying jobs, graduated from college, got advanced degrees, and when she vouldnt find a therapist, managed her own therapy.If your own life hasnt been as succesful, its a bit hard to relate. I' m not saying i was jealous, but as someone whose OCD has made it hard to leave the house, it was really overwhelming to take in all this achievment and success and still understand the depth of suffering she experienced.I guess it just goes to show that mental illness can strike anyone, anywhere, and you really cant tell by looking at someone's life.The ideas and experiences are intense, almost triggering at some points. Many of them turned out to be useful, or interesting, later, but again, this is a no holds barred , full speed ahead kind of person, and thats how she presents things. If you have OCD right now, font plan on reading this straight through. If you are just curious what it can be like, its a pretty good depiction.

Reading some books is like "Damn. How did you get inside my head? I relate to Shala's story on so many levels. I completely understand her desire for perfection and affirmation. I share her people pleasing tenancies. I also have struggled with OCD for many years. I started having intrusive thoughts at the age of 8. OCD was never even on my radar until last month. The more I learned about OCD the more things made sense and clicked into place. Like Shala, I did about 10 years of traditional talk therapy. I did everything I was supposed to. I tried different counselors. I went weekly for over 2 years. Yet, I never made progress. In fact, I felt worse at the end than I did at the beginning. I never even considered OCD as a possibility until I listened to a podcast where the host interviewed a woman from North Carolina who lives with OCD. The podcast sometimes addressed mental health, but that was not the main focus. As I listened to the guest tell her story, I was shocked to realized I had many of the thoughts. Was it possible that I could really have OCD and not know it for well over half my life? I threw myself into researching OCD. I listened to OCD podcasts, I read books, I even reached out to the guest from the podcast. The more I learned about OCD, the more I realized the truth. I hot a therapist that specializes in ERP and understands OCD. I was terrified to tell my counselor about my intrusive thoughts. Her expression didn't even change. My first session with my therapist was a 90 minute OCD assessment. I fully expected her to tell me I didn't meet the criteria for OCD. Instead, I was officially diagnosed with OCD at the age of 45. I can tell you that Shala has not exaggerated the misery and mental torture that comes with OCD. She tells the full, ugly truth. There were parts that were hard to read because they hit way too close to home. I am still in treatment. ERP is not fun or easy, but it works. I have definitely made progress. Am I currently in recovery? No. But I WILL get there. I have been feeling very discouraged lately. But this book gave me the motivation to keep going. If you have OCD, you NEED to read this book. If a friend or family member has OCD and you want to get a better idea of what a person with OCD goes through, read this book. Mental illness is stigmatized, but OCD is one of the most stigmatized and misunderstand. It is often joked about .phrases like "Everyone is a little OCD" and "I'm so OCD" are tossed around casually. But OCD is not funny or a joke. It is hell. The mental torment unrelenting. For a person with OCD, its not as simple as "Just don't think about it" Recovery is not quick or easy. Its messy. Setbacks and relapses will happen. But recovery is possible.Thank you Shala for telling your story with such honesty. Thank you for being willing to admit you still struggle rather than wrapping everything up in a neat little bow. You have made me feel more hopeful and less alone.

Great book that you can not only bond with but learn so much about OCD. Anyone with OCD can easily relate to the stories , feelings and pain getting through this awful disorder, but it can be done . The last couple of chapters really gives you insight and hope on how to live with this disease. It will never go away but you can live a wonderful life and help yourself free yourself from the torturous thoughts that we all have.Kudos for having the courage to write this book , thank you for all your insights and God Bless.

I picked up this book because throughout my life I've had friends and relatives who have suffered with OCD and BDD. Nicely is unflinching in her honesty right from the get-go, giving the reader valuable insight into what it's like to live through the experience of OCD. Too often, people joke about being OCD about one thing or another, but after reading Nicely's book I came away with nothing but awe and respect for her refusal to quit searching for a way to take back control of her own life. Nicely's a natural storyteller, so reading this book is like settling in to read a long, intimate letter from a friend. Absolutely fundamental reading for anyone who has loved ones dealing with OCD and BDD.

Shala does a superb job of unpacking the confusion and distress caused by OCD. For me the book really becomes personally impactful in the later chapters when she tackles how she turns the tables and fights back against her OCD. Shala details some great strategies which I intend to re-read. Shala writes with incredible honesty and integrity throughout. Thankyou Shala

An incredible, inspiring and moving read, which beautifully explains the lesser known complex natures of OCD and how to help yourself with recovery. Funny, honest, heart-warning and really motivating. Thank you Shala!

The book is best described as a treatment manual narrative for those with OCD. Strategies used are recognized by all Therapist.

This book is unique and is inspirational if you want to recover from OCD. It is brutally frank and reveals an amazing journey. If you want to develop the right mindset to battle this difficult opponent then this may well help you.

A must read to understand ocd. Motivating book. Thank you Shala and team