VERDICT An important voice in the discussion of OCD., Britz's energetic present-tense narration makes her memoir read like a novel she brings an immediacy to the intensity of her experiences that invites equal parts sympathy and horror.
An ending note provides encouragement from the author along with a list of resources. A hopeful ending chronicles her diagnosis and early treatment., Readers will empathize with Britz, experiencing from her perspective the potential effects of OCD and cheering her along as she steadily improves. Readers willing to share Allison's evident pain and humiliation may gain insight into a troubling disorder, but it's the joy of her slow recovery that they'll savor., Although nonfiction, the memoir reads like a novel and keeps readers wanting to know more about the complexities of OCD. This brave memoir tracks Allison's descent and ultimately hopeful climb out of the depths.ĭepicted with affecting honesty (and including quite a lot of dialogue), Allison's journey is at once gripping and agonizing. Finally, she allowed herself to ask for help and was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. When notebook paper, pencils, and most schoolbooks were declared dangerous to her health, her GPA imploded, along with her plans for the future. Her parents questioned her behavior, leading to explosive fights. Unable to act "normal," the once-popular Allison became an outcast. She had to avoid hair dryers, calculators, cell phones, computers, anything green, bananas, oatmeal, and most of her own clothing. Over the following weeks, her brain listed more dangers and fixes. It started with avoiding sidewalk cracks and quickly grew to counting steps as loudly as possible.
Allison believed that she must do something to stop the cancer in her dream from becoming a reality. But after awakening from a vivid nightmare in which she was diagnosed with brain cancer, she was convinced the dream had been a warning. She was a dedicated student with tons of extracurricular activities, friends, and loving parents at home. Until sophomore year of high school, fifteen-year-old Allison Britz lived a comfortable life in an idyllic town. A brave teen recounts her debilitating struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder-and brings readers through every painful step as she finds her way to the other side-in this powerful and inspiring memoir.
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