Compulsive Acts

In this compelling book, we meet a man who can't let anyone get within a certain distance of his nose, two kleptomaniacs from very different walks of life, an Internet addict who chooses virtual life over real life, a professor with a dangerous gambling habit, and others with equally debilitating compulsive conditions. Writing with compassion, humor, and a deft literary touch, Elias Aboujaoude, an expert on obsessive compulsive disorder and behavioral addictions, tells stories inspired by memorable patients he has treated, taking us from initial contact through the various stages of the doctor-patient relationship. Into these interconnected, revelatory vignettes, Aboujaoude weaves his own personal experiences while presenting up to date, accessible medical information such as the role of drug treatment and therapy, as well as the actual diagnostic criteria that separate these individuals from the rest of us with everyday quirks. Rich in both meaning and symbolism,Compulsive Actsis a journey of personal growth and hope that illuminates a fascinating, yet troubling dimension of human experience as it explores a group of potentially disabling conditions that affect a significant portion of the population, but that are too often suffered in silence and isolation.

Elias Aboujaoude is Director of the Impulse Control Disorders Clinic at Stanford University School of Medicine.