Painfully Shy: How to Overcome Social Anxiety and Reclaim Your Life [Paperback]

Barbara Markway (Author), Gregory Markway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 2003

Question:
* Do you feel shy and self-conscious in social situations?
* Are you plagued with self-doubts about how you come across to others?
* Do you feel physically sick with worry about certain situations that involve interacting with others?
* Do you make excuses, or even lie to avoid the social situations you dread?
* Do you make important decisions based on whether you'll have to participate in groups or speak in front of others?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're not alone. Millions of people experience social anxiety of painful shyness to such a degree that it disrupts their daily lives. In fact, as many as one out of every eight Americans will at some point suffer from what's called social anxiety disorder, or social phobia.

Social anxiety disorder is a real problem. But fortunately, it's also one that can be overcome.

Drs. Barbara and Greg Markway, psychologists and experts in the field, coach you every step of the way in this warm, easy-to-read, and inspiring book. You'll learn how social anxiety disorder develops, how it affects all aspects of your life, and most importantly, how to chart your course to recovery.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Social anxiety disorder goes well beyond simple shyness and can be emotionally crippling to its sufferers. Its victims find even the most informal and routine social situations threatening, and more formal events such as speeches and parties can trigger severe bouts of debilitating anxiety. Some 17 million Americans suffer from social anxiety disorder, and for every one that is diagnosed and receives help, there are probably a half dozen more who suffer in silence. This book is an excellent resource for those who suffer from this disorder, those who love them, and those who treat them. The authors start with the symptoms and some of the possible causes. Most important, they offer methods for treating the disorder, including self-treatment options. Case histories present people from a wide variety of backgrounds who have social anxiety disorder. Appendixes include help from parents of children with this disorder and other resources. An important book that addresses a topic that has received too little coverage. Marlene Chamberlain
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Reading this book is like having live therapy sessions with an expert on social phobia...Painfully Shy goes beyond showing us how to confront and deal effectively with our social phobia. It also gives us the tools to accept ourselves in the process." --Eric Joffe, Alliance for People with Social Phobia

"This is a highly readable book about the varied forms of social anxiety and its treatment...packed with practical tools to help readers overcome their fears." --Jerilyn Ross, M.A., L.I.C.S.W., author of Triumph Over Fear

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (August 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312316232
• ISBN-13: 978-0312316235
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Markway, Ph.D., is a psychologist and author. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including: the New York Times, Washington Post, Today Show, and Good Morning America. Her first book, Dying of Embarrassment, has been named one of the most scientifically valid self-help books in a study published in Professional Psychology, Research and Practice.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 102 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Up-to-date, practical information. October 21, 2001

By Adam Khan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

A tremendous amount of research has been done on anxiety disorders in the last fifteen years. Researchers have discovered a lot about what causes it and what can be done about it, and in this book you'll find the latest information.

Social anxiety disorder is most common anxiety disorder and the third most common psychiatric disorder over all (behind depression and alcoholism). If it's so common, why haven't we heard much about it? Because the nature of the problem keeps it hidden. "Can you see a movie-of-the-week," says psychologist Thomas Richards, "about a very shy person who rarely leaves the house except to go to work, who has no friends, and is afraid of answering the door at times?" Who would watch a movie like that? The authors of Painfully Shy said that after their first book (Dying of Embarrassment) was published, a television talk show called them and said, "We want you on our show if you can bring several articulate, outgoing social phobics with you." What the heck were they thinking? Social anxiety disorder doesn't get much coverage because anyone with the problem is trying to avoid the public eye.

But this book brings social anxiety into the light. Anxious thoughts and feelings CAN be managed successfully, and this book will show you how. I'm the author of the book, Self-Help Stuff That Works, and if you want practical, helpful advice that will really work to overcome your shyness, I highly recommend Painfully Shy.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of good information in this book August 23, 2002

By L. Brenner

Format:Hardcover

Wow. I think maybe that last reviewer had some problems other than just being painfully shy. I don't usually write reviews but I like this book and have found it helpful. Most books dealing with this subject seem to be more specific to social skills-- how to be assertive, how to win friends and influence people, etc. I like this book because it deals more generally with how to be comfortable with yourself in social situations. It's clear and easy to read and has interesting examples. It also has helpful exercises to try.

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good primer for application of CBT to social anxiety June 9, 2001

By Dr. Signe A. Dayhoff

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

"Painfully Shy" succinctly covers all the basics of dealing with chronic shyness and social anxiety and does so with compassion and understanding in a reader-friendly style. Through ongoing case histories it demonstrates assessment and treatment possibilities. Furthermore, it has appendices containing useful resources for both adults and children. It might have been useful, however, for the book to have provided readers with in-depth applications of these techniques and principles in specific social areas that shy and socially anxious people often report as important. These include meeting people, dating, making an impression, giving reports, using the telephone, handling meetings, surviving job interviews, and "coming out" about their condition. Research has shown that frequently sufferers also need social-effectiveness skills training in order to recovery more quickly and satisfactorily. Overall, readers will find this book well-done, interesting to read, with useful information and helpful strategies.