Is Fred in the Refrigerator?

Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life

By: Shala Nicely, Jeff Bell - foreword, Reid Wilson - afterword

Narrated by: Shala Nicely

A gripping memoir that gives voice to the invisible, life-destroying power of obsessive compulsive disorder and how one woman stood up to fear, embraced the unknown, and reclaimed her life.

Even at the age of nine, Shala Nicely knew there was nothing normal about the horrifying thoughts that tormented her at bedtime or the nightly rituals she summoned to beat them back. More importantly, she knew to obey her mind's rule number one: Keep its secret or risk losing everything and everyone she loved.

It would be almost two decades before she learned the name of the menacing monster holding her hostage: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It would take years longer to piece together the keys to recovery that would change her life forever, beginning with the day she broke her monster's silence.

Narrated with wry wit, unflinching candor, and resounding insight, Shala takes listeners on a riveting journey into the dark and dimly understood inner workings of OCD and its frequent co-conspirator, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Thwarted repeatedly as she struggles to escape the clutches of these formidable foes, she finally stumbles upon an unexpected path to freedom. As she journeys into the heart of fear to reclaim her life, she weaves a self-compassionate road map to recovery: to living in an uncertain world and being happy anyway.

With an afterword by Reid Wilson, PhD, offering powerful guidance for applying Shala's strategies in daily life, Is Fred in the Refrigerator? will leave legions of those affected by mental illness feeling seen, understood, and empowered.

"A memoir...about all of us with this kind of mind." (Jon Hershfield, MFT, author of Overcoming Harm OCD)

"One of the clearest descriptions of the experience of OCD...you'll cry, you'll cheer, and you'll put your shoulders back with Shala as she conquers the OCD demon." (Randy O. Frost, PhD, Harold, and Elsa Siipola Israel, Professor of Psychology at Smith College and coauthor of The New York Times best seller Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things)

"A masterfully written memoir-meets-educational-meets-inspirational tale that I couldn't put down." (Ashley Smith, PhD, coauthor of Childhood Anxiety Disorders)

©2018 Shala Nicely (P)2019 Shala Nicely

Very informative

It took me a few pages to adjust to the externalization of OCD in the book, but once I did I was able to see how effective this tool can be for separating self from disorder! Shala’s story is hopeful, heartbreaking, funny and sad all at once- great tool for therapists seeking to broaden their perspective on OCD and effective use of Exposure Response Therapy

The most relatable, powerful, OCD book that I've read

I highly recommend this book to anyone with OCD. Shala's story is relatable and inspiring and the book has so many useful tactics and strategies for anyone struggling with OCD. But the great thing is that it is written by someone who has lived it and suffered through it, not just by someone who has read about it in books or met with others who live with it. And it is written in a way that you learn from her experiences and her story. So many times in the book I felt like I knew exactly how she felt and I could relate so very well. Her narration makes it even more powerful. This book has helped me start to actually move forward in my journey to quiet my OCD.

Shala and her story changed my life!

I've been struggling with OCD for a while now (7 continuous years) but I couldn't get the right help, or even knew where to start. Shala's story helped my find a light at the end of tunnel that seemed to be caving in day by day. I'd neve4 heard of ERP till her, and I've been putting myself in all kinds of anxiety provoking situations...and after a while I just laugh at how silly it is that I put sooo much fear and thought into my obsessions. Definitely worth a listen, and thank you so much to Shala for being completely honest with her story. It gives me so much hope!

So. Good.

This book was so informative, well written and the author/narrator conveyed such a heartfelt performance. I highly recommend this read for anyone struggling with OCD/anxiety and even more so for therapists treating OCD and anxiety.

Wonderfully written, a must-read especially for those with OCD

I came to this book after a good friend recommended it to me. I listened to it with an open, interested mind, having just been diagnosed with OCD as a 29-year-old. I found Shala’s autobiography and insight to be deeply inspiring. I’m going to give it a re-read (or should I say, re-listen) soon!

Easy to listen to

I hate dry fact, filled self help books. I get bored my ADD kicks in and I can’t listen. I tune it out. This is a story. It’s enjoyable to listen to. And some of her experiences remind me of my own.

Insightful and Heartfelt

This book helped me see the light at the end on the tunnel with my own OCD. Beautifully read. Helpful beyond words.

So real and SO helpful!

Thank you for sharing your story with such detail. As a fellow OCD warrior I felt this book all the way through. Love it!