"Compelling...One of the strengths of this book is Begley’s rigorous clarity about her subject matter...Begley takes us on a tour of compulsions through history and the fascinating transition as they moved from being seen as a religious phenomenon to being regarded as a medical illness...[A] fine work."
—The Washington Post

"Begley, a senior writer at The Boston Globe’s life sciences publication Stat, is among the best there is at translating complex science for a general audience. On the whole, Can’t Just Stop is fast-paced and engaging without being simplistic, and Begley shows admirable restraint in eschewing news-you-can-use prescriptions for how to improve your productivity or otherwise better your life."
—The New York Times Book Review

"A fascinating read about human behavior and how it can go haywire."
—The Charlotte Observer

"In this fascinating read, Begley combines a personal topic with thoughtfulness and sensitivity. Recommended for anyone interested in learning more about compulsive behavior."
—Library Journal

"Begley's final chapter on brain function in the compulsive mind contains fresh insight that could fundamentally alter how we think of, and treat, mental illness going forward."
—Publishers Weekly

"[Begley's] captivating, accessible anecdotes of individual cases lead to unforgettable scenarios."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Begley interweaves compelling historical case studies with the long march of medical and neuroscientific understanding."
–Nature

"Sharon Begley has done us all a service, writing about compulsion without writing about disease and offering a new perspective on a phenomenon that is common if not universal. People troubled by their own compulsive behavior will appreciate her nuanced and balanced approach and perhaps come away with a new understanding of themselves."
—Gary Greenberg, The Book of Woe: The DSM and the Unmaking of Psychiatry

"Sharon Begley is the liveliest science writer around. Can't Just Stop offers both a state-of-the-science look at compulsions (and who doesn't have some?) and a delightful read."
—Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

"Filled with emotionally resonant stories, Can't Just Stop helps us understand not only the underpinnings of some forms of mental illness but also the everyday worries that drive so much of our behavior. A fascinating peek into the human mind in our age of anxiety."
—David Kessler, author of Capture: Unraveling the Mystery of Mental Suffering

"At once fascinating and compassionate, funny and informative, this volume should be on the bookshelf of every psychiatrist, and on the nightstand of anyone who enjoys absorbing and incisive writing."
—Joel Gold, M.D., author of Suspicious Minds: How Culture Shapes Madness