Are you plagued by a recurring thought or idea that just won’t go away, feel the need to wash your hands repeatedly, to hoard things, or to repeatedly check that all appliances in the house have been turned off before you leave? These are just some of the common symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (or OCD), a condition that that causes distress to hundreds of thousands of people. Cognitive behavorial therapy has been clinically proven to significantly reduce these and other symptoms in the majority of cases. With this step by step approach you can learn how to break free from the destructive cycle of obsessive behavior and regain control of your life. This book shows you how to reduce the distress caused by disturbing thoughts, images and urges; helps you face fears and troubling situations; reduces and gradually helps you overcome compulsions; and, offers advice on how partners, relatives and friends can help.