Anxiety is a prevalent affliction, said to affect 40 million American adults over 18 each year.
In addition, conditions like overthinking and depression may also contribute to the problem.
Not only can anxiety affect our personal wellbeing, but it can also negatively impact our interaction with others, both at home and work.
It can be difficult to understand and cope with the condition, but luckily there are many resources available to help.
So here are some of the best books on anxiety to understand the issue.
The Best Books on Anxiety
1. Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind by Judson Brewer
Brewer’s book discusses how to break the cycles of worry and fear and is based on the author’s own research and clinical work as a psychiatrist.
Brewer argues that many cases of anxiety and fear can be traced back to negative thought patterns or “cycles” that are difficult to break without help.
These cycles can be caused by things like perfectionism, rumination, and self-judgement.
Brewer offers a variety of techniques for breaking these recursive phenomena, including mindfulness meditation, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
He explains how each of these techniques can disrupt the causes that contribute to anxiety and fear.
Brewer also provides case studies of people who have successfully used his methods to overcome their own struggles with anxiety and fear.
Overall, Unwinding Anxiety is an informative and helpful book which provides a wealth of information on the roots of anxiety and fear, as well as practical techniques for immediate application.
His case studies provide real-world examples of how his advice can be applied in everyday life.
2. When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life by David D. Burns
This book is designed to help people suffering from anxiety disorders, including panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The text begins by discussing the different types of anxiety disorders and how they can affect people’s lives.
Burns explains that anxiety disorders are caused by a combination of genetic factors and life experiences, asserting that while there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for anxiety disorders, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often successful in helping people overcome their symptoms.
Burns then provides a detailed overview of CBT, including its history and the various techniques that are used in this type of therapy.
He explains that CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts directly influence our emotions and behavior.
Burns notes that many people with anxiety disorders mistakenly believe that their negative thoughts are true, and he provides tips for how to challenge these thoughts.
Burns also discusses the role of relaxation techniques in CBT.
He explains that relaxation techniques can be helpful for reducing stress and calming the body and mind, providing supplementary exercises to do so.
The second half of the book focuses on specific techniques that can be used to treat anxiety disorders.
Burns describes two techniques called “exposure” and “cognitive restructuring.”
Exposure involves gradually exposing oneself to feared situations or objects, while cognitive restructuring involves challenging and changing negative thoughts about oneself or one’s environment.
Burns also provides a number of tips for managing stress in everyday life.
He recommends taking breaks throughout the day, practicing yoga or meditation, and setting realistic goals.
Burns emphasizes the importance of staying positive and accepting occasional setbacks as part of the healing process.
In short, Panic Attacks is an informative and helpful guide for anyone struggling with with everyday stress.
3. The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne is a comprehensive and practical guide.
The book is divided into five sections: understanding anxiety and phobias, managing anxiety and phobias, special topics in anxiety and phobia treatment, case studies, and resources.
Each section contains a variety of information, from definitions of terms to step-by-step guides on how to manage specific types of anxiety and phobias.
The first section of the book provides an overview of anxiety and phobias, including their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
This section also includes a self-test that can help readers determine whether they suffer from an anxiety disorder or a phobia.
The second section provides a step-by-step guide to managing anxiety and phobias.
This section includes information on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, and more.
The third section of the book explores special topics in anxiety treatment, such as fear of death, fear of public speaking, and agoraphobia.
The fourth section contains case studies of individuals who have successfully managed their anxiety and phobias with the help of this book.
The fifth section provides a list of resources for readers who want to learn more about anxiety and phobia treatment.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook is an informative guide that provides readers with everything they need to confront their anxious thoughts.
4. Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks Fast by Barry McDonagh
Dare is a book based on the premise that anxiety is caused by a fear of the future, and that by facing this fear head-on, it can be overcome.
McDonagh provides a step-by-step guide on how to do this, using case studies and personal stories to illustrate his points.
The first step is to identify the fear that is driving your anxiety.
This can be done by completing a Fear Checklist, which asks you to rate how afraid you are of different things in your life.
Once you have identified your fear, you then need to come up with a “dare” for yourself – a challenge that will help you face your fear head-on.
This could be something as simple as going out in public or speaking in front of a group, or something more challenging like skydiving or bungee jumping.
Once you have your dare, it’s time to put it into action.
This involves taking small steps towards completing the challenge, gradually building up your confidence until you are able to complete it successfully.
McDonagh also provides advice on how to deal with any setbacks that may occur, as well as tips for maintaining your progress once you have overcome your anxiety.
Overall, Dare is an informative and helpful book that provides readers with practical advice.
The challenges provided are realistic and achievable, and the personal stories provide inspiration and motivation.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling with these conditions, as it offers a practical solution that can help them get their life back on track.
5. Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry by Catherine M. Pittman and Elizabeth M. Karle
Pittman and Karle’s book is a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing anxiety.
The book is divided into three sections: (1) Understanding anxiety, (2) Managing anxiety, and (3) Preventing relapse.
The first section provides an overview of the neuroscience of the condition.
The second section offers techniques for managing anxiety, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), exposure therapy, and mindfulness meditation. The third section provides tips for preventing relapse.
Rewire Your Anxious Brain is well-written and easy to read.
The authors provide clear explanations of complex concepts, and include helpful diagrams. Useful exercises for managing anxiety are included, in addition to preventative tips.
The book is based on scientific research, and it includes references to support the authors’ claims.
Overall, Rewire Your Anxious Brain is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to overcome their issues.
Summary: Overcoming Anxiety and Overthinking
Anxiety and overthinking are serious conditions that can have drastic consequences on your quality of life.
Not only do they make it hard to navigate routine daily situations, but they can also lead to more serious mental and physical health problems.
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to manage these conditions, including:
- Identifying the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your anxiety or overthinking
- Challenging these thoughts and behaviors
- Replacing them with more positive and helpful ones
- Practicing relaxation and stress-management techniques
- Seeking professional help if necessary
If you are struggling with any symptoms related to the above, I encourage you to try some of these strategies, which are outlined in the book recommendations above.
I know from personal experience that they may not be easy, but they can make the world of difference.
