Passing for Normal: A Memoir of Compulsion

Like Amy, I have Tourette's and OCD. I first saw her on Maury Povich a few months ago, and, after much searching, finally found this wonderful book. It is a well-written, passionate memoir of a woman who has overcome tough odds to succeed where many others have failed, both professionally and as a person. An excellent book for those with Tourette's and OCD, or family and friends of those looking for a way to understand their loved ones who are struggling with a disorder beyond their control.

This is a well-written, well-paced, interesting story by a woman who is clearly learning to master some of her own difficulties with OCD and Tourettes. I think it is amazing that a young author could pull off such a well-crafted and captivating narrative on a sensitive subject, and to think that she did all this while suffering from two disorders that can be so debhilitating is even more inspiring. Wilensky asks for no pity or special attention regarding her disorders -- she commands the readers interest through talent and obvious dedication to her work and her subject matter. Wonderful!

One Sunday afternoon several years ago I was in a busy drugstore at Christmas time looking for the perfect kitty ornament for my niece. Kneeling down searching thru a huge box, I was startled when suddenly a man behind me began to quack. Loudly. In my ear. When I turned to face him, I found an ordinary looking middle aged man who looked miserable about the noise he was making. At the time I was wearing a sweatshirt onto which I had cross stitched a yellow duck with a sprig of holly in its beak. Figuring somehow he was reacting to my shirt, I walked away from the box and started for another part of the store. The quacking stopped. Later, standing on a long check out line, I watched the woman in front of me pull the string on a Christmas toy. Out came the words, "Bah! Humbug!" Not a second later came cries of "Bah! Humbug!" from the quacking man who was now several people behind me on line. It wasn't until I was driving home that I realized what was wrong with the quacking man. He had Tourette's Syndrome. I do not have Tourette's or OCD nor am I related to anyone who does, but I was so deeply moved by Amy Wilensky's book that I read it in one sitting. What an amazing account of what had to have been such a difficult life. Only a woman as brave as Amy could have gotten thru high school and college as pre-occupied and troubled as she was. I thought I was handicapped in school because I had a face full of freckles and an unrestrained overbite. Amy had actual demons she had to obey in order to be able to get out of bed every morning. But she did it. How brave is that? You don't have to suffer from a psychological or neurological disorder to appreaciate this book. You just have to be human.

I couldn't put this book down. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting! Having someone close to me who has OCD made it all the more compelling. I recognized many of the symptoms of OCD, but the Tourette's was all new to me. I admired Amy's honesty through her writng, and really felt for her. I think this book will open a lot of "normal" people's eyes, and will certainly help fellow sufferers of OCD and Tourette's.

As a middle school teacher I've realized through reading this book how important it is to recognize and help the so many young people out there with Tourette's Syndrome and OCD. And learning that these disorders often go undiagnosed for so long has made me start encouraging all my colleagues to go out and get this book, as well. "Passing for Normal" is an essential and moving book, and it has helped me become a better teacher.