Customer Reviews

Diagonally-Parked in a Parallel Universe : Working Through Social Anxiety

5 star:		(144)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

When I first read this book (in January), I read it cover to cover nonstop and was blown away by the comprehensiveness and depth - everything any SP could want or need to know to aid recovery. But I also unrealistically expected (hoped) that reading alone would produce a miracle - to cure me on the spot. Of course it did not. The real miracle came through me understanding the problem that each exercise addresses then doing the exercises and following the suggestions - tailoring them to me as Dr. Dayhoff recommends. Some things applied and some did not. The doctor clearly spelled it all out in the Introduction, but I was too eager to get through the book - to get to my instantaneous recovery - to bother with that. Well, this time I am following the procedures the doctor recommends and seeing really wonderful results. Each day builds on the last and keeps getting better and better! (I could not have written this - or any other - book review before reading Diagonally Parked.) If you take it slow and easy and do the required work, you will be overwhelmed - overwhelmed by your increasing success!

For years I've felt doomed and resigned to spend my life scared, frustrated and alone. I've watched from the sidelines while others did everyday and exciting things together and enjoyed themselves. Then Diagonally Parked came along. Since nothing had helped my social anxiety before, I figured this book wouldn't be any different. BUT, THANK GOD, IT IS. I don't know how it does it but it grabs me where I live, gives me hope, motivates me and points me in the right direction. It fills in the gaps of my knowledge about social anxiety and answers my questions. It encourages me and guides me. It cries with me, makes me laugh and holds my hand. I may not be a party animal yet but I can feel the real social, fun me under all this fear and pain getting closer to the surface. Because birthdays have always been so painful for me, I've gone out of my way for years to avoid them. But now I feel like maybe I'd really like to celebrate my next birthday. Believe it or not, I'm actually starting to look forward to it!

This book serves a much broader population than just those who suffer from social anxiety/social phobia. My clients - who are creative, resourceful, and whole - seek support and structure to realize their promise and achieve fulfillment. They may want to improve their relationships, build their businesses and careers, become financially free, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-efficacy, navigate a life transition, or put more fun into their lives. The tools and guides in this book are immediately applicable. For example, as people try to change, their "Gremlin" gets in the way, reminding them just how dangerous change really is. This book's cognitive-behavioral tools work on "Gremlins" quite successfully. My thirty-plus years of business experience tell me that Dr. Dayhoff's coverage of self-marketing, networking and interviewing are right on target, and everyone could benefit from her chapter on "sharpening personal effectiveness." I'm glad to have this book in my coaching toolbag.

Since social anxiety is international, I hope this excellent book is translated into every language so everyone who needs it can benefit from it. It would be a shame and a great loss for them not to be able to access its expert knowledge and sage wisdom.

This book really does have "everything" AND it really is "smart and funny". But the reason I especially like it is because it showed me that I'm okay, that SP is only a part of me, not "all" of me or the "real" me or some external monster to battle to the death. Once I accepted SP as simply a way of thinking and behaving that I wanted to change, like using the wrong fork at dinner, I stopped wasting all that energy jousting at windmills and being so furious with myself for having SP. That's when my recovery began. After five months I'm doing lots better. I guess I could even say I "like" me now and that really feels so good.

This book is a real and welcomed surprise. Definitely not you run of the mill psychology self-help like so many others. Instead this one is sharp, clear, sparkling, comprehensive, indepth, personal and humorous. It has everything you could possibly need or want. One thing I especially liked about it is its flow. There's a wonderful developmental flow to what is presented, how it's presented and when. It seems to follow how your mind works in addressing and solving problems. Each new strategy, tool or piece of information flows naturally from the one before it to the next. Each new step builds on the last and the result is increased confidence and empowerment. Everyone can benefit from this book but social phobics should not be without it!

I know Signe (Dr. Dayhoff) from a social phobia list where she has shared her experience, knowledge, and suggestions for over three years. This really GREAT book, like her web site, newsletter, and list posts, is an extension of her caring commitment to helping social phobics gain control of their lives and achieve satisfaction. This is "helpful" with a capital "H".

For this book to be so helpful to so many in desperation and pain from the debilitating disorder of social anxiety the author must have been Divinely inspired. This book is a gift from the Almighty. Thank you, Dr. Dayhoff, and God bless you.

Diagonally-Parked in a Parallel Universe is EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about social phobia - and CONQUERING it - but were afraid to ask! Dr. Dayhoff is a life saver. I can't thank her enough for what she has done for me. When I think about the changes I've experienced as a result of this book, I cry with joy. I'm finally experiencing the REAL me that's been submerged under all that fear and avoidance and it's too wonderful for words. I'm actually dating and enjoying work. This book really is the social phobic's bible and salvation!

I have agonized for years over the belief that my social anxiety is my fault and somehow I could have prevented it. But this book has shown me that many factors I had no control over worked together over the years to contribute to my fears. Even though I am working on today's thoughts and behaviors, I feel having some insight about what brought it all about is important. This book shows you not only how it can come about but also gives you the tools for making your own journey of better understanding your social anxiety roots.