The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques: Understanding How Your Brain Makes You Anxious and What You Can Do to Change It [Paperback]

Margaret Wehrenberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 2008

A strategy-filled handbook to understand, manage, and conquer your own stress.

Anxiety disorders-grouped into three main categories: panic, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety-are among the most common and pervasive mental health complaints. From the subtlest effect of sweaty palms during a work presentation to the more severe symptom of reclusion, anxiety casts a wide net.

Medication, once considered the treatment of choice, is losing favor as more and more sufferers complain of unpleasant side effects and its temporary, quick-fix nature. Now, thanks to a flood of fresh neurobiology research and insights into the anatomy of the anxious brain, effective, practical strategies have emerged allowing us to manage day-to-day anxiety on our own.

Addressing physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms, Margaret Wehrenberg, a leading mental health clinician, draws on basic brain science to highlight the top ten anxiety-defeating tips. Everything from breathing techniques and mindful awareness to cognitive control and self-talk are included-all guaranteed to evict your anxious thoughts. 20 illustrations

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[O]ffers thorough explanations of the many facets of anxiety conditions and ways to cope with them….Presenting anxiety as manageable, prevalent, and treatable in a variety of ways offers a true sense of comfort to those afflicted.” (USABP Newsletter )

“[A] thoroughly ‘user friendly’ instructional guide….is a ‘must-read’ for anyone suffering from a condition of chronic anxiety whether it is a low-level condition or a traumatically crippling one.” (The Midwest Book Review )

“This excellent book brings Dr. Wehrenberg’s expert knowledge and clinical wisdom to anxiety sufferers with clarity and compassion. Comprehensive and easy to read, she emphasizes the role the brain plays in anxiety, and more importantly, how one can then ‘use the brain to change the brain.’ This practical, mind-body focus will be immensely helpful to those who are tormented by anxiety. I recommend it with enthusiasm!” (Aureen Wagner, PhD, University of Rochester School of Medicine )

About the Author

Margaret Wehrenberg, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice and a popular public speaker. She is the author of The Anxious Brain, The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques, and The 10 Best-Ever Depression Management Techniques. She lives in St. Charles, Missouri.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (August 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393705560
• ISBN-13: 978-0393705560
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Anxiety Disorders
  • #14 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Mood Disorders
  • #23 in Books > Self-Help > Stress Management

More About the Author

Margaret Wehrenberg, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice and a popular public speaker. She is the author of The Anxious Brain, The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques, and The 10 Best-Ever Depression Management Techniques. She lives in St. Charles, Missouri.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

243 of 246 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining AND Life Changing! March 23, 2010

By Carly

Format:Paperback

I've had super-strong anxiety all my life, on and off with depression. Everybody knows the best way to help yourself permanently is a combination of medicine and behaviour modification, so after years of only doing the former, I set out to find the best information to tackle the latter.

I looked at a million books online and in the library, bought a few, but by miles this is the best one of the lot. If you can only buy ONE book in your life to help you, make it this one.

It is a fascinating read from beginning to end. I came to it not really caring why or how my brain was making me anxious- I just knew I wanted to stop how I was feeling. In fact, the most interesting part of the book is explaing how and why your brain causes your anxiety. Far from being a dry medical monologue of terminology and bio-chemistry, the information and the way it was presented was more like watching a fascinating documentry on Discovery Health. The information is solid and presented in a passionate and entertaining way (without dumbing anything down either, I might add) which says something for the author's talent and style. I found myself smiling or chuckling sometimes when she'd explain a concept and why it works, and while I'm turning the page my brain is yelping, "Yeah, but so what! What if x, y or z is happening to you, then it's not going to work is it!?" only to read on the next page when she continues that she's ALREADY thought of my secret protestation, and goes on to shoot it down with logic and facts. Very funny!

This isn't a top 10 list like an extended Oprah magazine article, nor is it a finger wagging book telling you things like if you are feeling anxious to go write in your gratitude journal or take a bubble bath and give yourself affirmations in a mirror. These are very real, true ways that work with how a human brain naturally works itself: you are teaching yourself ways to override the chunk of your brain that is causing the anxiety response with another physical area of your brain that will control another action- your brain simply is not built to do both styles of things at once. You are forcing it by will to complete another task so it is unable to fire out those messages of anxiety. It really is an unbelievable read. After being this way my entire life from childhood to adulthood, I can say that after putting these techniques into practise that I am not that same person anymore, my life has improved dramatically and I am happier, more calm, less prone to depression and all-around a healthier person. Just buy the book. It is impossible that you won't find it helpful, yourself.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Right Prescription for My Situation November 23, 2010

By William N. Parker

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I ordered this text as an immediate self-help resource. It was most helpful. Honestly, I was skeptical of the title, but I'm glad I gave it a chance. Six weeks before ordering it, I had experienced sleeplessness and blood-pressure spikes, and I almost dreaded going to bed at night. The book helped me immediately to relax with the early emphasis on breathing and mindfulness. For about two months, I was on a light dose of Ambien and Xanax. I no longer require either.The combination of the application of the suggestions given in the book and my blood pressure medication enabled me to return to a high degree of normalcy in terms of sleeping well. The book is an easy, fun read and is very practical and focused. It was well worth the money!!

52 of 63 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Conquer Stress with Proven Techniques October 26, 2008

By Rebecca of Amazon HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

"When talking about anxiety and how to control it, it is important to understand that the nervous system is automatic and operates without your control, but you can take it over on purpose." ~ pg. 11

"The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques" is one of the most helpful books on anxiety I've ever read. Margaret Wehrenberg believes in using the brain to change the brain. She is well qualified to write this book as she once suffered from panic attacks and worry.

There are many practical ways to avoid panic and one of them was surprising. Avoiding coffee or other beverages with caffeine can help you avoid panic attacks. To read more about this subject look for Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug. It was also interesting to read about avoiding aspartame (stevia is better and natural) because it increases anxiety. I was surprised to also read that mitral valve prolapse (a heart condition one doctor told me I had) can trigger panic.

Margaret Wehrenberg gives good advice about how to deal with cell phones and e-mail. She suggests a few essential oils you can put in the tub to help you relax. Emptying the mind by making a list also seems to be calming. While these things work, the best part of the book is about breathing deeply.

If you are suffering from anxious thoughts there is a way to stop them even if you think that is impossible. By persisting and using the techniques in this book you can see good results. There is a section on the importance of positive self-talk and how to deal with perfectionism.

Since drugs have unwanted side effects you may want to try out some of the techniques in this book that deal with panic attacks, social fears and worrying. While Margaret Wehrenberg doesn't go into detail about exercise and stretching, I think Yoga works best to calm the mind and the effects are cumulative. I can highly recommend Crunch - Candlelight Yoga. By calming the body you also calm the brain.

~ The Rebecca Review