Overcoming Harm OCD: Mindfulness and CBT Tools for Coping with Unwanted Violent Thoughts

186 Pages·2018·53.46 MB·English

“If you have obsessions and compulsions related to the fear of harm, you
should have this book! Jon Hershfield has an engaging writing style and a
keen understanding of this problem that he passes along to the reader. Most
importantly, he pulls together scientifically supported interventions into a
useful self-help format. The numerous illustrations and examples will help
you implement these strategies and overcome your harm-related OCD
symptoms.”
—Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD, professor in the department
of psychology at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at
Chapel Hill, and director of the UNC Anxiety and Stress Clinic
“I have often thought of harming Jon, since I am jealous that he writes these
really good books that I wish I had written instead of him. But I will sit with
that thought and just be happy with the fact that I have a great reference to
refer my patients and my students to when questions of Harm OCD arise in
therapy and supervision. Good work, Jon. This book will be a great addition
to the OCD literature. Just watch your back…”
—Patrick B. McGrath, PhD, assistant vice president and
residential services clinical director at AMITA Health,
Foglia Family Foundation Residential Treatment Center
“Overcoming Harm OCD is a remarkable contribution to the self-help litera-
ture on OCD. Hershfield has a masterful way of presenting complex con-
cepts in an easy-to-understand manner and then linking them with effective
therapeutic strategies. This book will be a valuable resource for individuals
with Harm OCD, as well as applied practitioners who work with individuals
with OCD or who simply want to learn more.”
—Eric Storch, PhD, vice chair, professor, and McIngvale
Presidential Endowed Chair at the Menninger Department of
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine
“If you have Harm OCD, the best thing you can do is work with a skilled
therapist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for OCD like Jon
Hershfield. The next best thing is to use Overcoming Harm OCD to help
yourself. If you do find a good therapist, they may recommend the book too;
I know I will recommend it for my Harm OCD patients.”
—James Claiborn, PhD, ABPP, ACT, psychologist specializing
in OCD and related disorders, diplomate of the American Board
of Professional Psychology in Counseling Psychology, diplomate
and founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, and
coauthor of The Habit Change Workbook and The BDD Workbook
“Overcoming Harm OCD is an invaluable resource for anyone afflicted by
inexplicable violent thoughts that they are terrified of acting upon, even
while realizing their fears are irrational. The author, OCD therapist Jon
Hershfield, writes with a deep compassion for all who suffer from Harm
OCD, but too often won’t seek the help they need due to unwarranted feel-
ings of shame. In this easily readable, inspiring, and informative book, he
expertly explains why the best way to deal with Harm OCD is to lean into it
and learn how to live with uncertainty. I’m putting it on my ‘highly recom-
mended’ list.”
—Jonathan Hoffman, PhD, ABPP, licensed psychologist,
cofounder and clinical director of the Neurobehavioral Institute
and NBI Ranch in Southeast Florida, member of the Scientific
and Clinical Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation
(IOCDF), and author of Stuck
“Whether you battle violent obsessions as a sufferer or treatment provider,
Jon Hershfield’s Overcoming Harm OCD will prove to be a potent weapon in
your arsenal. As one of the nation’s most respected OCD psychotherapists
and authors, Jon offers his wisdom and wit in a wonderfully organized and
enjoyable-to-read format. His masterful integration of components of cogni-
tive therapy, exposure and response prevention (ERP), acceptance and
mindfulness, and self-compassion provide the reader with very practical and
effective ways to deflate the debilitating distress that OCD delivers.”
—Charles Brady, PhD, ABPP, director of the OCD and anxiety
program at the Lindner Center of HOPE; vice president at
OCD Midwest; associate professor in the department of
psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of
Cincinnati College of Medicine
“Overcoming Harm OCD breaks down the complexity of Harm OCD into
easy-to-understand and practical language. Jon Hershfield’s masterful
description of unwanted violent obsessions will be greatly appreciated by
those affected by these symptoms. His step-by-step instructions and helpful
road map for incorporating acceptance and self-compassion are sure to
encourage, strengthen, and enhance CBT treatment. This is a must-have
resource for clients and professionals alike!”
—Amy Jacobsen, PhD, licensed psychologist specializing in
the treatment of OCD in Kansas, and coauthor of
Childhood Anxiety Disorders
“You aren’t crazy or bad; you are human. Being human means dealing with
difficult things, and OCD is a difficult thing, albeit a very difficult thing. Jon’s
book addresses the concerns you may have around these challenging thoughts
of harm; makes you feel a little bit more normal; and focuses on helping you
through it using examples, exercises, and questions. All wrapped in the gold-
standard science of CBT for OCD, and supported by mindfulness and self-
love. Jon addresses the ways one deals with shame, an often-overlooked
emotion that holds back recovery. Having interviewed Jon a few times, I can
confidently say that he knows his stuff, but more importantly, he cares.”
—Stuart Ralph, The OCD Stories
“If you have OCD and suffer from violent obsessions, this is the book you
need! Jon Hershfield understands the depth of how frightening harm obses-
sions can be and the intricacies involved when seeking reassurance from the
uncertainty they provoke. His compassion for OCD sufferers is demonstrated
on every page, and his guidance and knowledge about applying well-
established treatment components to face specific harm obsessions offers a
clear path to reclaiming your life from OCD. Whether you suffer from harm
obsessions or treat clients who do, this book will be become your go-to
resource!”
—Joan Davidson, PhD, codirector of the San Francisco Bay Area
Center for Cognitive Therapy; assistant professor in the clinical
science program at University of California, Berkeley; and author
of Daring to Challenge OCD
“Hershfield has done it! Using straight-up honesty, compassion, and appro-
priately placed humor, he has written a body of work tackling the ‘untouch-
able’ subject of harm obsessions in OCD. I predict that this book becomes
the go-to reference for current and future generations of OCD sufferers,
their loved ones, and treating clinicians. Hershfield has deftly avoided being
drawn into providing excessive reassurance, which OCD would surely love!
Rather, he gifts the reader with tools to live with the uncertainty that we
must all face as human beings—specifically with respect to our past and
future actions.”
—S. Evelyn Stewart, MD, associate professor in the department
of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia and director of
the Provincial OCD Program at the BC Children’s Hospital
“If you have Harm OCD, reading this book will be life-changing. No more
thinking you’re ‘going crazy.’ No more avoiding the life you used to love. No
more thinking your thoughts aren’t normal, because they—and you—are. In
Overcoming Harm OCD, Jon compassionately demonstrates the H.E.A.Ling
power of standing up to your OCD so you can build the full and meaningful
life you deserve.”
—Shala Nicely, LPC, author of Is Fred in the Refrigerator? Taming
OCD and Reclaiming My Life and cofounder, Beyond the Doubt
“Jon Hershfield has created a masterful, reader-friendly guide to helping
individuals with Harm OCD by utilizing step-by-step tools and evidence-
based treatment methods. Because this form of OCD is less commonly dis-
cussed, I’m glad there is finally a book that provides an in-depth look into
the thoughts and experiences of individuals with Harm OCD. This book is
a must-read for anyone struggling with unwanted, intrusive violent obses-
sions, and should be a required read for all clinicians treating clients with
Harm OCD.”
—Tabasom Vahidi, PhD, private practice, works for the
Westwood Institute for Anxiety Disorders, Inc.
“Harm OCD is a powerful demon that makes people question their sanity
and integrity as a person. Jon eloquently reminds those struggling with this
form of OCD that they are not crazy and that self-compassion is important.
Through evidence-based strategies, Jon breaks down how to overcome this
disabling fear, learn to accept doubt and uncertainty, and live life to its
fullest potential. This book is sure to bring hope and relief to those suffering
by offering a guided, succinct, easy-to-understand process to overcome their
worst fears.”
—Robin Zasio, PsyD, LCSW, director at The Anxiety Treatment
Center of Sacramento, Roseville, and El Dorado Hills; and author
of The Hoarder in You
“With kind and compassionate humor, Jon Hershfield accomplishes the bril-
liant task of making a very difficult topic approachable and manageable.
Thank you, Jon, for gifting the OCD and mental health communities with
your incredible knowledge and insight.”
—Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT, owner of www.cbtschool.com
(providing research-based online courses for OCD, body-focused
repetitive behavior (BFRB), and anxiety), and host of the
Your Anxiety Toolkit podcast
“Jon Hershfield has a gift for writing as if speaking to friends; I know this, as
I’m privileged to call Jon a friend, and the wisdom he shares in these pages
is imparted with all the warmth, clarity, and compassion that Jon has shown
in every conversation we’ve ever had. By using his extraordinary communi-
cation skills to address Harm OCD, Jon offers readers the rare opportunity
to learn about this especially difficult mental health challenge from a truly
caring and trustworthy friend.”
—Jeff Bell, author of Rewind, Replay, Repeat: A Memoir of OCD
“No matter how it manifests, OCD is painful and disruptive, but Harm
OCD tends to add another layer of guilt and shame to the mix. In Overcoming
Harm OCD, Jon Hershfield recommends love and self-compassion as highly
as the gold-standard, evidence-based treatments of the disorder. Using his
own H.E.A.L. method to tackle the four main types of harm obsessions,
Hershfield walks through common obsessions, compulsions, and example
scripts. A resource readers can turn to again and again, Overcoming Harm
OCD will empower readers to seek help and open up to loved ones.”
—Alison Dotson, author of Being Me with OCD
Overcoming
Har m
OCD
Mindfulness and CBT Tools
for Coping with
Unwanted Violent Thoughts
JON HERSHFIELD, MFT
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Publisher’s Note
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.
This is a self-help book and not a clinical manual. It should not be used
for self-diagnosis and should not replace the advice of a mental health
professional.
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books
Copyright © 2018 by Jon Hershfield
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com
The section “Unhelpful Ideas About Uncertainty Acceptance” is adapted
from the author’s blog post, “Four Mistaken Beliefs About OCD,” for
http://www.intrusivethoughts.org. Used by permission.
Cover design by Amy Shoup
Acquired by Jess O’Brien
Edited by Ken Knabb
All Rights Reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file
20 19 18
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 First Printing
“Into whatsoever houses I enter, I will enter to help the sick,
and I will abstain from all intentional wrongdoing and harm,
especially from abusing the bodies of man or woman, bond or
free.”
—Hippocrates (fifth century BCE)