Even at nine years old, Shala Nicely knew there was nothing normal about the horrifying thoughts that tormented her at bedtime, or the nightly rituals she summoned to beat them back. More importantly, she knew to obey her mind's Rule #1: keep it secret, or risk losing everything and everyone she loved. It would be almost two decades before she learned the name of the menacing monster holding her hostage: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It would take years longer to piece together the keys to recovery that would change her life forever, beginning with the day she broke her monster's silence. Writing with wry wit, unflinching candor, and resounding insight, Shala takes readers on a riveting journey into the dark and dimly understood inner workings of OCD and its frequent co-conspirator, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Thwarted repeatedly as she struggles to escape the clutches of these formidable foes, she finally stumbles upon an unexpected path to freedom. As she journeys into the heart of fear to reclaim her life, she weaves a self-compassionate roadmap to recovery: to living in an uncertain world and being happy anyway. With an Afterword by Reid Wilson, PhD offering powerful guidance for applying Shala's strategies in daily life, Is Fred in the Refrigerator? will leave legions of those affected by mental illness, feeling seen, understood, and empowered.Shala Nicely, LPC specializes in the treatment of OCD and related disorders in Atlanta. She is the author of the forthcoming book Is Fred in the Refrigerator? Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life and co-author with Jon Hershfield, MFT of Everyday Mindfulness for OCD: Tips, Tricks and Skills for Living Joyfully. She is cofounder, with Jeff Bell, of BeyondtheDoubt.com, an initiative dedicated to helping people learn to thrive through uncertainty. Shala is an advocate for The Adversity 2 Advocacy Alliance and blogs for Psychology Today, offering an inside perspective on life with OCD.
Published by: Lantern Audio