Review by Family Resource Centre Volunteer, Jeannie:

Tell us what you thought about the book / title. How did the book make you feel? What did you learn?
This book is the best one I have read to date on the subject of anxiety. It is well written, easy to understand and very practical. It would be a good book to go back and refer to once you have read it, especially the exercises within it, for example The Realistic Thoughts Worksheet and the Affirmations sections.
It is very comprehensive in that in the introduction it states that anxiety affects
the whole being and the reaction to it impacts a person physiologically, psychologically and emotionally. The book then addresses the 10 simple ways within the 10 chapters that anxiety can be relieved within these three components. The methods include those dealing with the body such as progressive muscle relaxation, exercise and nutrition; others dealing with the mind including meditation, exposure therapy for fears and phobias and restful sleeping and those that deal with behavior including thought patterns, attitude and positive affirmations. All of the three are addressed in varying degrees to overcome anxiety, fear and worry.
This book also discusses different types of anxiety and how modern life has an impact on almost everyone’s mental state to some degree so it would be helpful to the majority of people.


What were some of your favourite parts in the book/title? What did you find the most useful? Why?
The authors do not address medication directly as an intervention and believe that it should rely on the expertise of a doctor. It is impartial and I agree with this way of thinking and the focus is on overcoming anxiety through self-help and care which may or may not include medication depending on the individual needs of the person.
This book focuses on confronting the situations that cause anxiety rather than avoiding them through the physical and mental exercises and coping strategies described. With practicing these exercises and activities on an ongoing basis a person is better equipped to deal with anxiety in general and it can be
minimized greatly.
For me it highlighted that it is much more difficult to confront anxiety and fear however in the long run it results in a much better quality of life and not being limited to what I am able to do.
Many of the exercises and ways to cope are quite simple and can be practiced anywhere.


What was your least favourite aspect of the book/title? What do you think could have been better?
In Chapter 10 in the Negative Thoughts and Positive Affirmations to Combat Them I agree with the positive affirmations but it would take a lot of practice to use and believe them. I believe the regular affirmations would be more helpful.


What inspired you to choose this title?
The fact that this book was written by an expert in the field of anxiety who is specialized in the treatment of anxiety, phobias and other stress-related disorder for over 20 years. Also the fact that I have struggled with varying degrees of anxiety during periods of my own life so I can relate very well to it. With being a volunteer in the FRC I like to have read the books I am recommending to visitors.


How has your life (or the life of your loved one) been affected by reading this title?
I realized that I have actually used some of the coping strategies described to an extent and it has made me more confident in my ability to manage anxiety. Also that it is much harder to confront fear and worry and it takes perseverance and courage to do so.
These can be expanded upon as well as used together with new coping strategies learned as a result of reading this book.


What are some of your favourite quotes from the book / title?

• "“Anxiety is based on the projection of frightening outcomes in the face of something no fully known.”


• “Exposure always defeats fear, if you’re willing to persevere with facing what you fear again and again.”


• “Exercise and deep relaxation are the two methods most effective for altering a hereditary biochemical predisposition to anxiety-that part of your anxiety that you came equipped with, rather than learned.”


• “Realize that working with the problem is part of your path to healing and recovery.”


• “I begin to become master rather than victim of my mind. I learn that I have more choice about fear. I can step into it or out of it.”

Do you recommend any similar titles to this one?
Yes I would recommend another book on Anxiety which I have read. It is Anxiety Happens - 52 Ways to Find Peace of Mind by John Forsyth, PhD. & Georg Eifer, PhD. ( )