Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques [Paperback]

Gillian Butler (Author)

Book Description

Series: Overcoming | Publication Date: May 13, 2008

Step-by-step guides to self-improvement that introduce the methods of the highly regarded cognitive behavioral therapy technique to help readers conquer a broad range of disabling conditions-from worry to body image problems to obsessive compulsive disorder and more. The accessible, straightforward, and practical books in the Overcoming series treat disorders by changing unhelpful patterns of behavior and thought. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was developed by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck and is now internationally favored as a practical means of overcoming longstanding and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. CBT insists that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors. Even when our situation does not change, if we change the self-defeating ways we think, we can make ourselves feel better. This positive, pragmatic approach is popular with therapists and patients alike.Books in the Overcoming Series: highlight the history and background of the disorder, who is likely to be affected, and what the main symptoms are provide a structure ideal for personal use or in a program using guided self-help techniques include diagnostic questionnaires, case studies, and workbook-style interactive exercises explore step-by-step techniques such as diary- and record-keeping, problem-solving, and managing symptoms include overviews of all treatment options offer authoritative, commonsense solutions to pervasive, difficult emotional problems are highly recommended by experts around the world and offer readers an affordable and easy-to-follow treatment plan

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gillian Butler is a consultant clinical psychologist and Fellow of the British Psychological Society. She practices with the Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare Trust.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 335 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (May 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465005454
• ISBN-13: 978-0465005451
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Anxiety Disorders
  • #35 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Mood Disorders
  • #59 in Books > Self-Help > Self-Esteem

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Helpful Book, September 16, 2008

By 

Cate (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (Paperback)

I haven't read other books on social anxiety, but I have read a number of books on anxiety disorders. This book is so helpful to me - it's practical and realistic. The author totally gets social anxiety - the causes, beliefs, behaviors, and effects - and suggests cognitive behavioral techniques to address and ultimately minimize the anxiety. It's a comforting relief to have someone understand, explain, and help resolve something that can sometimes be so difficult to live with.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life Changing Book, July 24, 2011

By 

P.Hasting - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (Paperback)

The philosopher Baruch Spinoza once said "to understand is to be free". This book does an phenomenal job at understanding the causes of social anxiety and presenting strategies to counteract these causes. The book states that social anxiety(shyness too) is a natural instinct based on nature and nurture, and everyone suffers from it to a certain degree(or susceptible to it). and we can overcome it by understanding it and using cognitive behavioral techniques to ultimately cancel out our socially awkward behavior.

part 1 of the book is called "understanding social anxiety", in it defines social anxiety and how it works in terms of our assumptions and beliefs.

part 2 of the book lays out several proven cognitive strategies. these strategies really do work, to me it was like dumping a base into an acid.

part 3 is sort of a "bonus" chapter to help you be more assertive, on bullying , and relaxation.

This is the best book i have EVER read on the subject. The author truly understands where social anxiety comes from and knows how painful it can be. And the best part, the author knows what to do about it. and it really DOES work.

Social Anxiety can be a VERY painful experience, we can miss out on friendships and intimate relationships, become lonely, feel unwanted and different, feel like there is something really wrong with us etc. (you are not alone)

this book can help you change all of that, and help you live your life to the fullest. You CAN live a socially rich life. You CAN live a rich romantic life. You CAN live a life that fully and harmoniously expresses who you are to the world.

i wish you the best in your journey on overcoming your barriers to harmonious human relations.

the price for the book is a bargain for a new rich life. i highly recommend it.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best self-help book for social phobia, June 10, 2011

By 

kris - See all my reviews

This review is from: Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (Paperback)

During the last 5 years I read almost all self-help books which targets social phobia. This is the one which I only read recently even though I knew about it`s existence for a long time but misjudged it based on its title mentioning shyness. I knew my case is considerably worse than simple shyness so the book must be too superficial for me I thought. What a mistake!!!
This is definitely the best book on Social Phobia I ever read. This does not makes it perfect but if you are suffering from this debilitating disorder you can save to yourself a lot of time and money by starting with this one. You will learn a proper understanding about the vicious cycles which perpetuating your social anxiety and gives you strategise how can you approach the problem and start to break down the vicious cycles. Don`t misjudge this book like i did!