Product Description
Shannon Shy is a senior civilian attorney with the Department of the Navy and a retired U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Lieutenant Colonel. In 1997, while on active duty with the Marines, he was diagnosed with a severe case of obsessive-compulsive disorder or "OCD." His OCD had become so severe he became practically non-functioning. He constantly found himself in a seemingly endless loop of intrusive and irrational thoughts, mental anguish, physical pain, and odd behaviors. It got to the point where he secretly and repeatedly thought that suicide would be better than the anguish, embarrassment, and the pain. While he had suspected for several years that he had some disorder, he was afraid to admit it to anyone and afraid to be diagnosed. He had concluded that doing so would cause him to lose his career and his wife and two young sons. Finally, after some nudging from his wife and a colleague and after one very memorable OCD episode, he called a psychiatrist. With the aid of doctors, medication, and behavioral therapy, he developed an effective behavioral strategy (what he calls "Ground Rules and Checkpoints") to manage his OCD. He now lives a very happy and productive life and has for many years--without medication and without doctors. OCD no longer adversely affects him. This book is about how a young Marine officer, attorney, and family man faced and overcame a relentless "enemy" called OCD. It is a story about struggle, perseverance, and overcoming adversity. This book is not intended as medical advice. Rather, it provides hope, comfort, confidence and insight to some practical techniques for those suffering from OCD and for those trying to help someone with OCD.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 12 reviews)

It'll Be Okay by Tami Brady (Calgary, Canada)

5 Stars
January 11, 2010
It'll Be Okay is a story of healing and triumph over Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). As a Marine, Shannon Shy was the picture of strength and confidence. No one was more outgoing and fun loving. Then, without warning, OCD began robbing Shannon of himself. Like many OCD sufferers, he developed a variety of compulsions including mistaking everyday objects along the side of the road for dead bodies, worrying that parked cars could contain injured people, needing to make sure that people were treating their children properly, and the dreaded hand washing routine. Often, it took Shannon hours to just get to work. Terrified that admitting that he had a problem meant he'd lose his livelihood, Shannon tried everything to fight his compulsions. Fortunately, he eventually found help. Through medication and behavioral modification, he came to grips with OCD. Today, he is medication free and handles any stray OCD thoughts with a series of steps that he shares with other OCD sufferers. Thank you, Shannon. So many people are afraid that admitting they have a problem will somehow make them less in other people's eyes, so many worry that their livelihood is at stake. Your story shows that getting help is the strongest thing a person can do and having your life back is possible.

Apparently Useful to OCD Sufferers by Jean Leinhauser (San Diego, CA USA)

3 Stars
December 05, 2009
From the previous reviews, it's obvious that this book speaks forcefully and helpfully to those with OCD. I ordered the book not because I have OCD, but because I have a friend who does, and hoped it would help me to understand him better. If you do not have a disease, it's hard to get into the skin of one who does. I didn't learn much new here, but it wasn't really written for me. Mr. Sly writes with compassion and encouragement and I'm sure his achievement in controlling his OCD will be helpful to many. A professional editor would have improved the book.

It'll be okay Great resource, great story! by Mary B. Mahoney (Springfield MO)

5 Stars
October 09, 2009
I felt this book was very well written. It's heartfelt, to the point, and witty as well. I felt the book captured very well how ocd can interupt a normally strongwilled, determined, put together person that you would never think could be touched by such a disorder! As well as how he, his family and support people in his life worked to gain control again. Very well done. Very informative.

Excellent First-hand OCD Experience by DanC (New York)

5 Stars
October 01, 2009
As someone who has had to deal with OCD for 25 years, this personal story, with its detailed explanation of how he overcame OCD, by Shannon Shy, speaks to both my heart and my mind. It is proof that OCD can be overcome through conscious and persistent steps in learning how to view your OCD and how to manage it effectively. People usually don't want to hear about how to "manage" a disease or condition; they want a complete cure. But the truth is that even people who do not have a disease or condition experience the same problems and challenges, perhaps to a lesser degree. My point is that everybody has stress and anxiety, times of deep sadness (depression), anger, etc. The trick is to learn how to manage the accompanying thoughts and feelings so that they don't steamroll your life. Shannon Shy shows how he has effectively done just that, and although his method of overcoming OCD may not be exactly right for all OCD sufferers, it can be tweaked and personalized and also spark new ideas on how OCD can be effectively managed.

Excellent Book on OCD by Mrs Angela B.

5 Stars
September 17, 2009
I purchased this book for my niece who suffers with OCD. She said this book was fantastic. Many of the OCD books out there don't focus on the types of symptoms she has. She said the author of this book had the exact obsessions as she has. I think it gave her a lot of hope!

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