Anxiety Free: Unravel Your Fears Before They Unravel You [Hardcover]

Robert L. Leahy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2009

We live in the Age of Anxiety. In any given year, about 18 percent of Americans will suffer from an anxiety disorder, and over the course of a lifetime, this number rises to nearly 30 percent. The rates of overall anxiety have increased dramatically during the last 50 years. In fact, the average child today exhibits the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the 1950s. Thanks to advances in modern psychology, we know much more about anxiety than we once did—where it comes from, how it operates on the mind, and the behavior it generates. Understanding anxiety is the key to overcoming it.

In Anxiety Free, Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., best-selling author of The Worry Cure, looks at the origin of anxiety and teaches us how to outsmart our fears for a less stressful life.

Anxiety is part of our biological heritage. Our ancestors lived in a world filled with life-threatening dangers, and it was in the face of these dangers that the human psyche evolved. Fear was protective, and to survive, our ancestors’ minds were programmed with rules of how to react to their environment. These preprogrammed rules of reaction were passed through the generations and now keep us in the grip of anxiety. We no longer live in the primitive world that created our fears, but we operate as if we’re still running from tigers, fighting starvation, and risking incurable disease.

To break free from the tyranny of anxiety, we need to rewrite these preprogrammed rules. In Anxiety Free, Leahy addresses the six recognized anxiety disorders—specific phobia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder—explaining what each is and which outmoded rules it follows. He then offers simple, step-by-step techniques for confronting and overcoming our specific anxieties.

Using Leahy’s methods, which are based on the best psychological treatments available, we can work toward a life free from the apprehension, tension, and avoidance associated with anxiety.

 

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Robert L. Leahy, one of America’s most respected self-help psychologists, treats us to a tour de force in how to help soothe our anxious minds. With the most ancient and up-to-date wisdom and self-help techniques, Dr. Leahy is an expert guide and coach.”

 

— Paul Gilbert, Ph.D., author of Overcoming Depression: A Step-by-Step Approach to Gaining Control Over Depression

“Anxiety Free, by the internationally renowned Dr. Robert L. Leahy ,provides us with a state-of-the art guide to overcoming anxiety. Written in his trademark accessible style, Dr. Leahy’s new book will help you develop your own self-help program, using the latest and most powerful techniques of cognitive therapy. His ingenious use of ‘rule-books’ immediately empowers you to know why you feel anxious and what you can do right now to overcome your fears. I highly recommend this excellent book.”

 

— Aaron T. Beck, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania

“If you have a problem with anxiety, this is the book for you. Anxiety Free provides detailed practical guidelines for understanding and overcoming all types of anxiety problems. You can trust this book.”

 

— Christopher G. Fairburn, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, University of Oxford

“Robert L. Leahy has written a comprehensive and vital primer which offers hope for recovery to even the most severe cases of fear and anxiety. This well-crafted book is replete with self-diagnostic tools and easy-to-use, step-by-step scientific procedures for freeing oneself from the pain of anxiety. Anxiety Free is a pleasure to read and is full of many helpful case examples. It offers reassurance and hope to the millions who struggle with this crippling ailment. A must read for anyone who has ever experienced debilitating fear or anxiety.”

 

— Frank M. Dattilio, Ph.D., ABPP, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

“Dr. Leahy has done it again. Drawing from recent and well-supported research findings, Leahy, speaking in understandable and appealing language, offers powerful suggestions for addressing myriad anxiety problems. Sufferers of chronic and debilitating anxiety can take heart in a uniquely helpful resource.”

 

— Douglas Mennin, Ph.D., Director, Yale Anxiety and Mood Services, Department of Psychology, Yale University

“With beautifully clear prose and great case illustrations, [Robert Leahy] brings to life the central issues and theories involved in anxiety disorders. This book offers hope, and more importantly, it brings cutting-edge knowledge about treatment into the hands of the reader.”

 

— Sheri L. Johnson, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley

“This is a masterful book written by a master clinician. [Leahy’s] straightforward and conversational style talks directly to the reader as if the reader was in his office. Even the most anxious person will find this book helpful, useful, and calming. Following his clear program and rules will help to put the anxiety demons to rest.”

 

— Arthur Freeman, Ed.D., author of Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda . . .

“This book packs a potent therapeutic punch that sets new standards for self-help manuals. As in The Worry Cure, Leahy once again provides a masterful presentation of the latest treatment innovations but this time for all the major anxiety conditions. He writes in a clear, uncomplicated, conversational style that the reader will find highly informative and engaging. His explanations, clinical illustrations, and practical step-by-step instructions will transform how people think about and manage anxiety. Anxiety Free should be required reading for anyone who has struggled with anxiety.”

 

— David Clark, Professor, Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick

About the Author

Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D., is recognized as one of the most respected cognitive therapists, and is known internationally as a leading writer and speaker in the field cognitive therapy. For 25 years, Leahy has been practicing this revolutionary treatment to help free his patients from their struggle with anxiety. He holds a number of high-ranking positions in his field, including director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, president of the International Association of Cognitive Psychotherapy, president of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, and president of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. He is the author and editor of 15 books, including the best-selling The Worry Cure; and has been featured in The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Forbes, Fortune, Newsweek, Psychology Today, Washington Post, Redbook, Shape, First for Women, Women’s Health, Self, and USA Today Magazine. He has also appeared on national and local radio and television including 20/20, Good Morning America, and The Early Show.  

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Hay House (April 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401921639
• ISBN-13: 978-1401921637
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #639,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I guess I was destined to become a psychologist---given the experiences that I had. My parents were divorced when I was an infant--my father was an alcoholic and he was unable to support us. We moved back to New Haven Connecticut, lived with my Italian grandparents, and then moved to an Irish working-class housing project. We were poor, but we always had kids to play with and we learned the values of honesty, perseverance, fairness, and keeping your eye on the prize. When I wasn't playing basketball, I was reading everything. My mom told me that she couldn't afford to send me to college, but I insisted I would get a scholarship. Fast forward--- I got my undergraduate degree and PhD at Yale. Later I did my postdoctoral training with Aaron Beck, the founder of cognitive therapy.
I have been interested in helping people overcome depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and relationship issues. Someone asked me, "Don't you get depressed talking to depressed people?", and I respond, "There's nothing more rewarding than helping people overcome depression". I've written and edited fifteen other books for psychologists-- books on depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, etc. I lecture throughout the world and I am excited that several of my books have been adapted as training texts at leading schools. The great appeal of cognitive and behavioral therapy is that it actually works. People get better. There is hope--even if you feel hopeless.
I have also been fortunate to be able to play a role in professional organizations that promote cognitive therapy. I am the President of the International Association of Cognitive Therapy, President-elect of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and I serve on a number of international and national committees, boards, and journals. My colleagues and I are helping to coordinate the training of cognitive therapists in Beijing, China, and at The American Institute for Cognitive Therapy we are training psychiatrists and psychologists in cognitive therapy in the New York area. I began working on the popular audience book, The Worry Cure, a few years ago. I decided to write an "honest" and "informed" book---one that drew on the best work by the top people worldwide. I have identified seven steps to overcome worry-- each step reflecting not only my own ideas but the work of leading experts. I am honored that many of them in USA, Canada and the UK have told me personally how much they appreciate the work reflected in this book. I owe a great deal of gratitude to the leading researchers throughout the world who really made this book possible. The Worry Cure tries to provide you with a serious understanding about the nature of worry--- the intolerance of uncertainty, the over-valuation of thinking, the avoidance of emotion, procrastination, the sense of urgency, and the maladaptive beliefs underlying your worry. I try to provide you with a full-range of self-help tools--- realizing that no one of them will work for everyone. A number of our patients at our clinic use the Worry Cure as part of their self-help--and they find it reassuring to know that they can now understand why their worry has persisted and how they can reverse this detrimental process.
The Worry Cure was named by Self Magazine as one of the top eight self-help books of all time. I was stunned when I read that--- my colleague Rene showed me the story in the magazine. But I have been fortunate to have been able to learn from my patients about the nature of their worry and what helps them--and to be able to write something that can make a difference.
My friend, Bill, said to me when I was writing this, "Bob, if you help one person overcome their anxiety it would be worth it." It's like the wise saying, "You save the world one life at a time".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not very useful, May 21, 2009

By 

Self Helper "Self-helper" (Fort Lauderdale) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anxiety Free: Unravel Your Fears Before They Unravel You (Hardcover)

I know that the author a very important name in the CBT world. This fact made me buy this book. Despite the stellar endorsements from such giants like Aaron Beck, in my opinion, this book is not an essential read for someone who suffers from anxiety. It fails mainly because it lacks a clear step-by-step strategy.

Dr. Leahy tries to cover every possible anxiety variation: panic attack, social anxiety, GAD and so on. Each requires a somewhat different approach.

Author's goal for writing this book a bit confusing. It looks like he meant it as a self-help book. If so, it's not deep enough. If I, say, suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I would much rather prefer a book dedicated to GAD alone, rather than a book that lists a brief coverage of every possible disorders without giving me a clear step-by step road-map. Also, I'd require a book that emphasizes how to challenge the distorted thinking, which requires much more than a few pages. I felt lost in all the information without knowing what's essential.

The most helpful books on anxiety, by the way, already exist and it's very hard to top them. Please check them out: Anxiety Workbook by Bourne. This book also covers many varieties of anxiety, but is better organized. Another book, Mind over Mood by Padesky-mainly focuses on distorted thinking that causes depression, low self-esteem and anxiety.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Adjunct to Therapy, April 3, 2009

By 

William C. Sanderson "William C. Sanderson, PhD" (Hofstra University, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anxiety Free: Unravel Your Fears Before They Unravel You (Hardcover)

As a clinician who specializes in treatment of anxiety disorders, this book is an excellent adjunct to providing evidence-based psychotherapy for any client suffering from an anxiety disorder. For those clients suffering from anxiety who do not have access to care, this book provides all of the details covered in treatment.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The cutting edge of CBT in a 100% user friendly presentation, June 9, 2009

By 

Dennis Tirch PhD (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anxiety Free: Unravel Your Fears Before They Unravel You (Hardcover)

This book is a remarkable addition to the self-help literature. I highly recommend it to people suffering with anxiety and therapists alike. Dr. Leahy's "Anxiety Free" is more than a simple outline of popular and possible cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. The book uses innovative methods of presentation, e.g. "rulebooks" for anxiety, to bring the entire area of anxiety disorders into perspective. The cutting edge of cognitive and behavioral therapy is represented in a 100% user friendly manner. This book is beyond worth it, and it is essential reading in the treatment of anxiety problems. I'm recommending it to my patients. - Dennis Tirch PhD, Fellow Academy of Cognitive Therapy