Scorpions cover art

Scorpions

A Memoir

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Scorpions

By: Tuppence Middleton
Narrated by: Tuppence Middleton
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

My mind is full of scorpions. A cerebral itch, impossible to scratch. I know these creatures well, but they know me better. They answer to another name, this nest of scorpions, the writhing black mass that lives inside my head…

For as long as Tuppence Middleton can remember, she has struggled with obsessive thoughts and compulsions. She visualises her OCD as scorpions inhabiting her mind, something to be hidden that impacts her life daily:

  • Have I killed my cat?
  • When was the last time that person in front of me vomited?
  • How many people have touched this door handle since it was cleaned?
  • Should I tap the outside of the airplane to save my loved ones from harm?

Often used as a shorthand for tidiness or as the punchline of a joke, OCD is one of society’s most misunderstood disorders and it’s rarely spoken about with such honesty and openness.

Beautifully written, moving and often darkly funny, Tuppence recounts what it feels like to share your mind with a nest of scorpions.

©2025 Tuppence Middleton (P)2025 Penguin Audio Anxiety Disorders Compulsive Disorders Mental Health People with Disabilities Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Funny

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All stars
Most relevant  
This book is a must for anyone experiencing or living with someone struggling with OCD- it like it was written by myself or my daughter.
It’s so helpful to know that you are not alone… the comparisons between the scorpions & the thoughts worked really well

Raising awareness & beautifully spoken truths

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What a great book. Middleton was frank in her approach to talking about OCD, and the analogy/symbol of the scorpion throughout was helpful as a way of visualising OCD patterns without the text being bogged down by (often quite triggering) descriptions of intrusive thoughts.

Illuminating, raw and earnest

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To say I enjoyed this book would be inaccurate. It is beautifully written and very well read. But hearing of Tuppence's challenge with OCD was painful, scary, and unnerving. My son has OCD and it was a relief to hear from someone who has found a way to live with their scorpions, and not just survive, but excel. It gives me hope. My son is too young for this book but one day I hope he reads it and that it gives him strength. In the meantime I will be recommending it to everyone I know to support OCD sufferers in our society be better understood and supported.

Brave, hopeful and important for all to hear.

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A really accessible account of OCD, which I was absorbed in right from the start.

So helpful to people trying to understand

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It maybe the way it's narrated I will give it another chance as I do listen to my books before I sleep

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