The Imp of the Mind

Lee Baer's The Imp of the Mind examines intrusive sexual and violent thoughts experienced by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, offering clinical insight, case examples, and treatment approaches.

The book seeks to destigmatize these distressing thoughts by explaining their prevalence, psychological mechanisms, and how exposure-and-response prevention and cognitive therapies can help.

Baer emphasizes that having such thoughts does not mean a person will act on them and offers practical guidance for clinicians and sufferers.

The text has been influential in both clinical practice and self-help contexts for individuals struggling with unwanted intrusive thoughts.

It blends scientific explanation with compassionate guidance aimed at reducing shame and improving outcomes.