"Judith L. Rapoport, the head of child psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health, published 'The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing,' a best-selling book that helped bring wide attention to OCD."
"Writing without technical jargon - and with no shortage of empathy - Dr. Rapoport recounted the stories of children and adults she described as 'tortured souls.'"
"When they sought her out for treatment, their refrain was almost always the same: 'I thought I was the only one in the world with these crazy symptoms, and I didn't want anybody to know about them.'"
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) disrupts lives with intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. For years, it was hidden and misunderstood. Judith L. Rapoport's 1989 book, 'The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing,' raised awareness about OCD and its treatment. Rapoport's empathetic writing detailed the experiences of those suffering from OCD, helping to destigmatize the disorder. Her work highlighted the isolation felt by patients and emphasized that they were not alone in their struggles. Rapoport's contributions significantly advanced public understanding of OCD and its management.
#obsessive-compulsive-disorder #judith-l-rapoport #mental-health-awareness #behavioral-therapy #public-understanding
Read at The Washington Post
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