My Life in Mental Chains: My Struggle With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder




by Ruth Hartman



Reviewed by Joanne Hirase-Stacey



I didn’t know much about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) before I read Ruth Hartman’s true story, My Life in Mental Chains. I’d heard of people who wash their hands over and over, or constantly check appliances to make sure they’re off or unplugged, but had never given their obsession much thought. After reading Ruth’s book, I’ve come to realize that OCD is an illness that consumes its victim and overtakes his or her life.



OCD seems to strike out of nowhere. Ruth led a normal life with her husband, and was a dental hygienist. Then one day, everything changed. While cleaning her dental instruments, her thoughts became obsessive. She couldn’t stop scrubbing. Her job performance began to suffer as she got behind schedule, keeping patients waiting. After her boss and fellow employees confront her, she starts to spin out of control.



She realizes she needs professional help, and despite the stigma and worry of being labeled “crazy”, Ruth bravely meets with her doctor, but doesn’t want anyone besides her husband, to know of her OCD diagnosis. She tries to hide it, to be normal, but the OCD gets worse, and it becomes hard to leave the house.



She eventually tells her family and her husband’s family. To her relief, they embrace her, support her and love her through all her ordeals. Ruth finally takes another job to help pay the bills, only to have her boss tear her down. And someone she thought was her friend abandons her. But she continues with her treatment and faces her OCD head on.



Ruth does a fantastic job of drawing you into her dark world of fear and anxiety. You’ll find yourself saddened by those who mistreat her, and encouraged by those who stand by her. You’ll cheer for her as she fights her way back, through the agonizing steps necessary to become herself again.



This book is a must read for anyone who knows nothing about OCD, as well as those who have first hand experience with OCD either as a patient or a family member or friend. It takes you into the life of one woman and her daily struggle with OCD, and gives you comfort and hope in knowing that OCD is treatable.

Local Newspaper Article About Book Signing

http://www.pal-item.com/article/20110409/NEWS01/104090306/1008/news01/Author-sign-copies-new-books

Sneak Peak - Whispers of the Muse

Click below for another installment sneak peak for "My Life in Mental Chains."


http://whispersofthemuse.org/AuthorSpotlight/SpotlightFrame.html

Author Interview at Whispers of the Muse

http://www.whispersofthemuse.org/AuthorSpotlight/SpotlightFrame.html

Mini Interview

http://donutsdesires.blogspot.com/2010/04/quick-six-interview-with-ruth-j-hartman.html

OCD Affects Many

Click below to read a guest post on Long Live Chick Lit:


http://longlivechicklit.wordpress.com/2010/03/05/a-meeting-of-the-minds-with-ruth-j-hartman/

Win a Free Copy of My Book

Click on the link below for a chance to win a copy of "My Life in Mental Chains."


http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/12/day-sixteen-giveaway-with-ruth-hartman.html

Whispers of the Muse

My books are included in a wonderful Christmas gift guide at Whispers of the Muse. Check out all of the fantastic authors and the books they've written:

http://www.whispersofthemuse.org/GiftGuide/GiftFrame.html

I am always so appreciative of authors/blog owners who are generous enough with their time and effort to host other authors on their sites.

Howie Mandel - Nice to Meet Ya

Who knew I would have so much in common with Howie Mandel? I mean, I know we've both suffered from severe OCD for years, we are germaphobes, and hate to come in contact with anything remotely resembling a germ. But now there's something else. We both have books published about our struggles with OCD. I tend to think his will get a tad bit more attention than mine. Okay a lot more. Still, it's interesting to see how much I might have in common with someone I've never met. Who knew? OCD: the great mental equalizer.

Okay Howie, I'll make you a deal. I'll read your book if you read mine. Then we can compare notes. (Literally!)  In case you haven't heard of mine, it's titled, "My Life in Mental Chains." I'm pretty sure I'll be able to locate yours without much trouble.

Virtual Blog Tour Dates- "My Life in Mental Chains"

Here's the dates and sites I have so far. Please feel free to follow along on the book tour. Thanks for your interest!

Monday, January 26, 2009
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/ (click on "blog" button at top of page)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009
http://www.thementalfitnesscenter.com/ (The Mental Fitness Center)

Thursday, January 29, 2009
http://www.raisingsociallyanxiouschildrenblog.com/ (Raising Socially Anxious Children)

Friday, January 30, 2009
www.educatingtheheart.blogspot.com (Educating for Wholeness)

Tuesday, February 3, 2009
http://www.amamasrant.com/ (A Mama's Rant)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009
http://writerinspired.wordpress.com/ (Writer Inspired)

Monday, February 9, 2009
http://ocd-chick.blogspot.com/ (OCD Chick- Wiping The Crazy Off My Face)

Tuesday, February10, 2009
http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog (Joyce Anthony)

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
http://joannedemaio.blogspot.com/ (Whole Latte Life)

Thursday, February 12, 2009
http://deenasbooks.blogspot.com/ (Deena's Bookshelf)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
http://www.thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/ (The New Book Review)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com/ (Donna's Book Pub)

Virtual Blog Tour

I've just received information on my upcoming book blog tour. The tour will run from January 26th-February 26th. The first stop will be on The Muffin -the daily blog at:

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/

I'll post updates as they become available.

Thanks!