What is Obsessed by Allison Britz about?

Obsessed by Allison Britz is a young adult memoir chronicling the author's debilitating struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder during her sophomore year of high school. After a vivid nightmare about brain cancer, fifteen-year-old Allison develops severe OCD that transforms her from a popular, high-achieving student into an outcast who must avoid everyday objects like pencils, computers, and even certain colors. The memoir tracks her painful descent into mental illness and her hopeful journey toward recovery through professional treatment.

Who is Allison Britz and why did she write Obsessed?

Allison Fairall Britz is a Wake Forest University graduate (BA '11, MAM '12) who wrote Obsessed as her first book to share her teenage experience with OCD. She penned this powerful memoir to help others understand the reality of living with obsessive-compulsive disorder and to provide hope for those struggling with mental illness. As an adult, Allison continues to manage her OCD, demonstrating that while the condition doesn't disappear, it can be controlled with proper treatment and coping strategies.

Who should read Obsessed by Allison Britz?

Obsessed by Allison Britz is essential reading for teenagers and young adults experiencing anxiety or OCD symptoms, as well as parents, educators, and mental health advocates seeking to understand these conditions. The memoir is particularly valuable for anyone who feels isolated by mental illness or struggles to explain their experiences to others. It's also beneficial for readers interested in mental health memoirs that offer both raw honesty about psychological struggles and genuine hope for recovery through professional treatment and personal resilience.

Is Obsessed by Allison Britz worth reading?

Obsessed by Allison Britz is absolutely worth reading for its unflinching portrayal of OCD's devastating impact on a teenager's life and relationships. The memoir received strong reviews, including a 4.5/5 star rating, and was nominated for the Abe Lincoln Award in 2021. Readers particularly appreciate Allison's brave vulnerability in detailing her descent into mental illness and the practical insights into treatment options, including therapy with psychologist Dr. Nelson. The book successfully balances educational value with compelling storytelling that keeps readers engaged throughout.

How did Allison Britz's OCD symptoms start in Obsessed?

Allison Britz's OCD in Obsessed began with a single, terrifying nightmare about being diagnosed with brain cancer, which she became convinced was a premonition or divine warning. The intrusive thought that she had brain cancer felt overwhelmingly real and triggered immediate, consuming fear. Within hours, she started interpreting random occurrences—like song lyrics on the radio saying "it's all in my head"—as coded messages confirming her fears. This pattern of finding hidden meaning in unrelated events quickly escalated from avoiding sidewalk cracks to developing elaborate rituals and restrictions.

What objects and activities did Allison have to avoid due to OCD in Obsessed?

In Obsessed, Allison Britz's OCD forced her to avoid an extensive list of everyday items including: * Hair dryers * Calculators * Cell phones * Computers * Notebook paper * Pencils * Most schoolbooks * Anything green in color * Bananas * Oatmeal * Most of her own clothing These avoidances weren't random—each object was perceived as deadly through intense physical sensations or sudden, forceful intrusive thoughts that labeled them as dangerous. The restrictions became so severe that they destroyed her ability to function as a student, causing her GPA to implode and eliminating her plans for the future.

How did OCD affect Allison Britz's relationships and school life in Obsessed?

OCD transformed Allison Britz from a once-popular, high-achieving student with tons of extracurricular activities into an isolated outcast. Her inability to act "normal"—counting steps loudly, avoiding common objects, performing strange rituals—alienated her friends who couldn't understand her sudden behavioral changes. Her parents questioned her increasingly bizarre behavior, leading to explosive fights as they struggled to comprehend what was happening. Academically, when she couldn't touch pencils, paper, or most textbooks, her previously stellar GPA collapsed along with her college prospects.

What treatment did Allison Britz receive for OCD in Obsessed?

In Obsessed, Allison Britz's treatment journey began with a psychiatrist, Dr. Adams, who recommended medication, but Allison initially refused pharmaceutical intervention. She was then referred to a psychologist, Dr. Nelson, who introduced her to therapeutic techniques that helped her recognize and manage her compulsions rather than simply obeying them. The memoir emphasizes that OCD doesn't completely disappear—even as an adult, Allison still experiences intrusive impulses that she must actively recognize and control using the strategies she learned in therapy.

Obsessed Summary

a memoir of my life with OCD

Allison Britz

3.91(6672 Reviews)

Book Summary

Obsessed Summary

In "Obsessed," Allison Britz reveals her teenage battle with OCD after a nightmare convinced her she had brain cancer. This award-winning memoir reads like a thriller while illuminating the hidden rituals of a misunderstood disorder. What everyday objects terrified a straight-A student overnight?

Gripping memoir reveals hidden teenage OCD battle beneath perfect facade. Imagine waking up one morning to find your brain has turned against you. It began with a nightmare.

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The concise route

The essential ideas, without the detour

A focused overview of the book’s central argument and most useful takeaways.

Gripping memoir reveals hidden teenage OCD battle beneath perfect facade. Imagine waking up one morning to find your brain has turned against you. It began with a nightmare.

As Allison's obsessions multiplied, she discovered she could "barter" with her protector when she accidentally broke a rule. What began with sidewalk cracks soon expanded into an overwhelming catalog of dangerous items.

Key Themes in the Obsessed Summary

intrusive thoughts
adolescent mental illness
magical thinking
compulsive rituals
internal psychological prison

Best Quotes from the Obsessed Summary

This was no ordinary bad dream; this was a warning.
Avoiding cracks might cure her cancer.
This revelation became both her salvation and her prison.
Each mistake costs me a ham sandwich, Fritos, or string cheese.
The bargaining game had become a losing proposition.

Characters in the Obsessed Summary

Allison BritzThe author and protagonist struggling with OCD
JennyAllison's friend who confronts her about eating
Emma StoneActress with OCD who provided praise for the book

About the Author

Allison Britz is the bestselling author of Obsessed: A Memoir of My Life with OCD, a powerful young adult memoir chronicling her personal battle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. A graduate of Wake Forest University with both a BA and MA, Britz draws from her own harrowing experience developing sudden-onset OCD at age 15 to offer an authentic and unflinching look at mental illness in adolescence. Her memoir traces the disorder's onset—triggered by a vivid nightmare about brain cancer—through her descent into debilitating compulsions and ultimately her path toward recovery.

Beyond her writing, Britz works as Lead Marketing Specialist at Deloitte, where she has been open about her mental health journey and advocates for workplace well-being.

She has appeared on podcasts and media platforms including MedCircle's "It's All In Your Head," sharing insights on living with OCD and navigating therapy. Published by Simon & Schuster in 2017, Obsessed has become an important resource for young adults, families, and mental health professionals seeking to understand and destigmatize OCD.

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