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, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Obsessed

Allison Britz

Biography Psychology Health

Überblick

Wichtige Erkenntnisse

Autor

Häufige Fragen

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?

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Kurzfassung8Min

Erlebe das Buch durch die Stimme des Autors

Vertiefung42Min

Verwandle Wissen in fesselnde, beispielreiche Erkenntnisse

Lernkarten10 Erkenntnisse

Erfasse Schlüsselideen blitzschnell für effektives Lernen

Spaß24Min

Genieße das Buch auf unterhaltsame und ansprechende Weise

Bestes Zitat aus Obsessed

This book puts words to the indescribable prison that is living with obsessive thoughts.

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Obsessed ist nicht nur ein Buch — es ist eine Meisterklasse in Biography. Um Ihnen zu helfen, die Lektionen auf die für Sie beste Weise aufzunehmen, bieten wir fünf einzigartige Lernmodi an. Ob Sie ein Tiefdenker, ein schneller Lerner oder ein Geschichtenliebhaber sind, es gibt einen Modus, der zu Ihrem Stil passt.

Kurzfassung

Zusammenfassung von Obsessed in 8 Minuten

Zerlegen Sie die Kernideen von Obsessed in leicht verständliche Punkte, um zu verstehen, wie innovative Teams kreieren, zusammenarbeiten und wachsen.

00:00

Lernkarten

Top 10 Erkenntnisse aus Obsessed auf einen Blick

Destillieren Sie Obsessed in schnelle Gedächtnisstützen, die die Schlüsselprinzipien von Offenheit, Teamarbeit und kreativer Resilienz hervorheben.

Spaß

Lektionen aus Obsessed erzählt in 24-Min Geschichten

Erleben Sie Obsessed durch lebhafte Erzählungen, die Innovationslektionen in unvergessliche und anwendbare Momente verwandeln.

00:00

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Fragen Sie alles, wählen Sie die Stimme und erschaffen Sie gemeinsam Erkenntnisse, die wirklich bei Ihnen ankommen.

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt

BeFreed vereint eine globale Gemeinschaft von 1,000,000+ wissbegierigen Menschen

Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, wie BeFreed im Web diskutiert wird

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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Diese Zusammenfassung herunterladen

Erhalten Sie die Obsessed-Zusammenfassung als kostenloses PDF oder EPUB. Drucken Sie es aus oder lesen Sie es jederzeit offline.

Obsessed

Allison Britz

Biography Psychology Health

Überblick

Wichtige Erkenntnisse

Autor

Häufige Fragen

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Kurzfassung8Min

Erlebe das Buch durch die Stimme des Autors

Vertiefung42Min

Verwandle Wissen in fesselnde, beispielreiche Erkenntnisse

Lernkarten10 Erkenntnisse

Erfasse Schlüsselideen blitzschnell für effektives Lernen

Spaß24Min

Genieße das Buch auf unterhaltsame und ansprechende Weise

Bestes Zitat aus Obsessed

This book puts words to the indescribable prison that is living with obsessive thoughts.

Mehr wie dieses

The Maddest Obsession

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Phobia

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Rewire Your Ocd Brain

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Relationship OCD: Symptoms, Causes, and Coping - Verywell Mind

Dealing with Grief and OCD: Strategies for Coping and Healing

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Breaking Free: Navigating Breakups with OCD

15 sources

From Demons to Diagnosis: OCD's Journey

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

When Ordinary Objects Become Enemies

00:00

Imagine waking up one morning to find your brain has turned against you. Suddenly, stepping on a sidewalk crack feels like a death sentence. Touching a pencil triggers panic. Your clothes whisper threats. This was sixteen-year-old Allison Britz's reality when obsessive-compulsive disorder invaded her life without warning. Her memoir "Obsessed" has become required reading in many psychology programs for its raw, unfiltered portrayal of adolescent OCD. Unlike many mental health narratives that focus on recovery, Britz captures the terrifying descent into illness and the painstaking climb back toward normalcy. It began with a nightmare about brain cancer that felt like a premonition. The next day at school, stepping on a sidewalk crack triggered a forgotten childhood rhyme: "Step on a crack, break your mother's back." Suddenly, her mind connected cracks to cancer with overwhelming certainty. Pain exploded in her skull until she moved her foot, bringing instant relief. In that moment, a terrifying thought crystallized: avoiding cracks might prevent her cancer.

The Expanding Universe of Threats and Bargains

Finding Meaning in Madness

The Breaking Point

Naming the Monster

Boxing with OCD: The Path to Recovery

Living with OCD: Reclaiming Identity

Entdecke Deine Art zu Lernen

Kurzfassung

Zusammenfassung von Obsessed in 8 Minuten

Zerlegen Sie die Kernideen von Obsessed in leicht verständliche Punkte, um zu verstehen, wie innovative Teams kreieren, zusammenarbeiten und wachsen.

00:00

Lernkarten

Top 10 Erkenntnisse aus Obsessed auf einen Blick

Destillieren Sie Obsessed in schnelle Gedächtnisstützen, die die Schlüsselprinzipien von Offenheit, Teamarbeit und kreativer Resilienz hervorheben.

Spaß

Lektionen aus Obsessed erzählt in 24-Min Geschichten

Erleben Sie Obsessed durch lebhafte Erzählungen, die Innovationslektionen in unvergessliche und anwendbare Momente verwandeln.

00:00

Personalisieren

Erleben Sie Obsessed auf Ihre Weise.

Fragen Sie alles, wählen Sie die Stimme und erschaffen Sie gemeinsam Erkenntnisse, die wirklich bei Ihnen ankommen.

Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt

BeFreed vereint eine globale Gemeinschaft von 1,000,000+ wissbegierigen Menschen

Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, wie BeFreed im Web diskutiert wird

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

Von Columbia University Alumni in San Francisco entwickelt

BeFreed vereint eine globale Gemeinschaft von 1,000,000+ wissbegierigen Menschen

Erfahren Sie mehr darüber, wie BeFreed im Web diskutiert wird

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Starten Sie Ihre Lernreise, jetzt

Diese Zusammenfassung herunterladen

Erhalten Sie die Obsessed-Zusammenfassung als kostenloses PDF oder EPUB. Drucken Sie es aus oder lesen Sie es jederzeit offline.

Obsessed by Allison Britz Summary

Overview of Obsessed

Similar books to Obsessed

Bestes Zitat aus Obsessed

Kurzfassungs-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Obsessed in 8 Minuten

Lernkarten-Modus - Top 10 Erkenntnisse aus Obsessed auf einen Blick

Spaß-Modus - Lektionen aus Obsessed erzählt in 24-Min Geschichten

Personalisieren-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Obsessed in 0 Minuten

Obsessed PDF herunterladen

Obsessed EPUB herunterladen

Obsessed by Allison Britz Summary

Overview of Obsessed

Similar books to Obsessed

Bestes Zitat aus Obsessed

Mehr wie dieses

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

When Ordinary Objects Become Enemies

The Expanding Universe of Threats and Bargains

Finding Meaning in Madness

The Breaking Point

Naming the Monster

Boxing with OCD: The Path to Recovery

Living with OCD: Reclaiming Identity

Kurzfassungs-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Obsessed in 8 Minuten

Lernkarten-Modus - Top 10 Erkenntnisse aus Obsessed auf einen Blick

Spaß-Modus - Lektionen aus Obsessed erzählt in 24-Min Geschichten

Personalisieren-Modus - Lesen oder hören Sie die Zusammenfassung von Obsessed in 0 Minuten

Obsessed PDF herunterladen

Obsessed EPUB herunterladen

Mehr wie dieses

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

When Ordinary Objects Become Enemies

The Expanding Universe of Threats and Bargains

Finding Meaning in Madness

The Breaking Point

Naming the Monster

Boxing with OCD: The Path to Recovery

Living with OCD: Reclaiming Identity