Obsedată

Allison Britz recounts her teenage struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Until tenth grade, she enjoyed life in a small town. She did well at school and joined many activities. She also had close friends and loving parents.

Then she dreamed that she had brain cancer. She took the nightmare as a warning of real harm. To stop it coming true, she began to follow strict rules. First, she avoided cracks in the pavement. Soon, she counted her steps aloud. Her fears grew, and her peers began to shun her. She later sought help and received an OCD diagnosis. Her account traces both her decline and her path toward recovery.

This life story is for teen readers, with a recommended age of 14. It belongs to the Must Read-Ya series, which explores sensitive themes in young people's lives.