Approximately one or two percent of children and teenagers will suffer from this disorder. It is a hidden problem and few of those who have it will admit to symptoms, preferring to suffer in silence. It can cause misunderstanding and disruption for a child and for the child's family. Much of the suffering is due to lack of knowledge and delay in getting help.

In The Secret Problem, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is explained in clear and simple language. Cartoons are used to help children, teenagers, and their parents understand the problem and its treatment.

The book identifies OCD as a biological problem and clearly describes how the individual and the family are not to blame for it. Of course, like many biological problems that cause psychological distress and painful changes in behaviour, secondary psychological
processes often multiply the difficulties and increase suffering. Any family with a distressed child needs knowledge and coping skills that will heal rather than promote the problem. That is the aim of The Secret Problem.

In the book, the forces driving the OCD are presented as an ocdopus-an unpleasant kind of octopus that hangs around making demands for perfection and instils terrible doubts into the mind of a child. Thinking about and fighting the ocdopus makes it easier for a child to share fears, obsessions, and compulsions and, with family help, work to banish that troublesome and slimy creature.

Both the author and illustrator of The Secret Problem are consultant psychiatrists and know very well how modern treatments for OCD can provide great relief and open opportunities for very good recovery.