Product Description

This series of vignettes is Emily Colas' chronicle of her twisted journey through the obsessive-compulsive disorder that came to dominate her world. By the time she faced the fact that she was "losing it", Colas had become a slave to her own "hobbies".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #454347 in Books
• Published on: 2000-02-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Customer Reviews

A humorous look at a serious disease.
Coles, in her book "Just Checking," chooses to make light of a very serious illness--obsessive compulsive disorder. The strange thing is that it works. By wisecracking about the rather odd things she did over the years, and the way that her husband enabled her by going along with her strange behavior, she places the reader inside her head. While entertaining us, Coles also shows us how logical this behavior seemed to her at the time. I was both horrified and amused, as contradictory as this seems. Coles has done a wonderful job of showing us how OCD takes over the lives of its unfortunate victims until they go for the help that they need. Fortunately, the author went for help, but unfortunately, she paid a steep price for waiting so long. This book is touching, informative and entertaining. Coles is a talented and brutally honest writer. She is to be commended for telling it like it is; it must have been difficult for her to bare her soul like this.

Very thought provoking and humorous
I read this book in one day which, as a mother of 2 children shows a certain amount of interest! Many passages made me laugh so much but this was then followed by a certain amount of guilt at laughing at another person's distress. There were times when I found it very upsetting that someone so attractive (see back cover) could be so 'upset' but the book is so beautifully written that one doesn't feel maudling too much. I have thought more about this book since I finished it than another book for some time. I guess if I had to critise it at all it would be because I felt it was somewhat disjointed in the manner in which it was written. I felt that the book lacked continuity and I would have liked to hear more about how her husband and children coped. I would so much like to hear how she is doing now. One of the best books I have ever read.

A Mostly Funny Peek at a Difficult Life
I suppose if you happen to suffer from OCD this book is about as satisfying as a chicklette for dessert, but I'm just a run of the mill neurotic, so I have to say I found it quite enjoyable. But I'm guilty about that, believe me. Emily Colas lives a difficult life, no doubt, but that she can carry on with such humor is amazing to me. I think if I had a poison-in-the-food phobia, I'd never leave the house, never mind get married and have children. She's a brave woman who wrote an interesting and very funny book. Though it's not for everyone. My husband, when I explained why I was laughing with my nose in a book, was appalled when I read a portion to him. He made me feel guiltier yet - but not guilty enough to put the book down. It was good. More, Ms. Colas