The Man Who Couldn't Stop

By David Adam

Intended Audience: Carers, educators, therapists         

Written By a Neurodivergent Yes

Audio Companion Available: No

Neuro Affirming Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misrepresented and misunderstood, frequently reduced to stereotypes about cleanliness or orderliness. The Man Who Couldn’t Stop by David Adam is a deeply personal and thoroughly researched exploration of OCD that moves beyond the clichés, offering readers an insightful, scientifically grounded, and emotionally raw account of what it truly means to live with the condition.

Adam, a journalist and science writer, combines his own experience of OCD with historical, psychological, and neuroscientific perspectives to paint a broader picture of how intrusive thoughts affect millions of people worldwide. The book delves into the complexities of obsessive thoughts, the history of OCD treatment, and the scientific advancements in understanding compulsions and anxiety disorders. 

Key Areas of Focus in the Book:

• A Personal Yet Universal Perspective – Adam shares his own struggles with OCD

• Scientific and Historical Context – Explores how OCD has been misunderstood throughout history and how scientific research has evolved.

• Breaking Stigma & Stereotypes – Challenges misconceptions and highlights the real, often debilitating nature of OCD beyond media portrayals.

• Understanding Intrusive Thoughts – Provides a compassionate look at how intrusive thoughts develop, persist, and impact daily life.

• An Engaging and Accessible Narrative – Blends personal storytelling with well-researched scientific explanations, making it both informative and compelling for general readers, mental health professionals, and those living with OCD.

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ABOUT THE READER

Elisabeth Anderson is a neuro affirming neurodivergent school psychologist with 10 years of public service and is the owner of Connected Family Practice. She is also the Director of Assessment for The ABLE Center.  Elisabeth has been recognized by families, colleagues, and school administrators for her leadership and knowledge as a policy writer, consultant and trainer. Elisabeth’s insights have made her a sought after internship supervisor.  Elisabeth believes that families should be able to find the supports they need both during and after the identification process to build greater understanding of neurodivergent brains, their needs, and potential support options. 

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Elisabeth’s Neuro Affirming Likert Rating Scale

⭐️: The resource contains language or content that perpetuates stereotypes, stigma, or misinformation about neurodiversity. It fails to use respectful and inclusive terminology, and may even promote harmful attitudes towards neurodiverse individuals.

⭐️⭐️: The resource makes some attempts at inclusivity, but still falls short in using affirming language and portraying neurodiversity in a positive light. It may contain instances of language or content that could be perceived as insensitive or exclusionary.

⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource generally demonstrates a decent level of neurodiversity affirming language and content. It makes efforts to use respectful terminology and accurately portrays neurodiverse experiences, although there may still be room for improvement in certain areas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource consistently uses affirming language and content to depict neurodiversity in a positive and respectful manner. It actively challenges stereotypes and promotes understanding and acceptance of neurodiverse individuals and communities.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: The resource excels in its use of neurodiversity affirming language and content. It goes above and beyond to accurately represent the diverse experiences of neurodiverse individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment. It serves as a valuable resource for promoting inclusivity and understanding in both neurodiverse and neurotypical audiences.