Description

'A Cry for Help' continues his first book's theme highlighting the constant struggles of living with OCD. Stephen has a terrible fear, amongst others, of harming an elderly lady, having to continually check that each and every elderly woman he passed in the street or came into everyday contact had not suffered at his hands. 'A Cry Forever' tackles how this obsession has altered Stephen's life, further periods in custody are discussed as are Stephen's experiences of forming relationships and starting a family hindered by ever-present obsessions. This is an honest and open book which can act as a beacon of hope for those suffering from this wildly misunderstood, yet life-changing illness.

About the Author

Stephen Drake was born in Surrey in 1970 and was diagnosed with OCD in 1989, having spent periods in jail due to the condition. Further custody followed as stress heightened his obsessions. In 2006 Stephen wrote his first book as a way of expressing his problems and changing his wayward course. 'A Cry For Ever' followed a year later, having been encouraged by benefits from his first book.

Book Extract

When Charlie stirred, it was almost midday.
"Why the hell am I on the floor?" he moaned.
It only took a split second for reality to strike. "Colin.. oh fuck," he muttered.
He clambered to his feet.
"I've got to get up sometime, so it might as well be now."
A piece of crumpled paper, covered in scruffy writing, rested on the chair.
"Didn't want to wake you. Ring me if you need anything. See you tonight. Linda"
He tossed the note onto the floor and headed for the kitchen.

"It's gonna be bloody awful without Colin," he pondered, "the days are just gonna drag on and on." He slumped at the kitchen table.
"Longer days, fewer visits, niggling thoughts, feeling depressed. Hope I don't get any intrusive ideas."
Charlie made a coffee and rolled a cigarette.
"What if I do get the bastard intrusions," he pondered, "I don't deserve to be happy. Colin, one of the nicest people you could meet, was so fucked off that he killed himself. If he didn't deserve to be happy... then, who does? Certainly not me."