Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook: Proven, Step-by-Step Techniques for Overcoming your Fear [Paperback]

Martin Antony PhD (Author), Richard Swinson MD FRCPC FRCP (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2008

There's nothing wrong with being shy. But if social anxiety keeps you from forming relationships with others, advancing in your education or your career, or carrying on with everyday activities, you may need to confront your fears to live an enjoyable, satisfying life.

This new edition of The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook offers a comprehensive program to help you do just that. As you complete the activities in this workbook, you'll learn to:

• Find your strengths and weaknesses with a self-evaluation
• Explore and examine your fears
• Create a personalized plan for change
• Put your plan into action through gentle and gradual exposure to social situations

Information about therapy, medications, and other resources is also included. After completing this program, you'll be well-equipped to make connections with the people around you. Soon, you'll be on your way to enjoying all the benefits of being actively involved in the social world.

This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit — an award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Social anxiety and shyness can become so intense that they prevent people from enjoying life. This book is ideal for anyone who wants to learn to be more comfortable around other people. Drs. Antony and Swinson have taken proven treatments for social anxiety and adapted them for a non-professional audience. The step-by-step strategies described in this book have been shown to be effective, are easy to understand, and are sure to help the reader cope better in social situations. Anyone who experiences significant anxiety when performing or when interacting with other people should read this book!”
—Aaron T. Beck, MD, university professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania

“If you have trouble with social anxiety, you will find the book by Drs. Antony and Swinson to be an excellent resource. This highly experienced duo has provided an excellent road map to guide you through your efforts to overcome your anxiety and improve the quality of your life. Based on the tried and true methods of cognitive-behavioral therapy and on the results of many scientific studies, the techniques described in this book will help you feel better when you are with other people or the center of attention. The only thing you have to do is work hard and apply them. Best wishes for your journey along that road.”
—Richard Heimberg, Ph.D., director of the Adult Anxiety Clinic of Temple University, Philadelphia

“Drs. Antony and Swinson provide practical advice in a highly readable format. This book will be invaluable to people whose social anxiety prevents them from leading full and happy lives.”
—Murray B. Stein, MD, professor of psychiatry and director of anxiety and traumatic stress disorders program at the University of California, San Diego

“This is an excellent resource written by world-renowned and skilled clinicians and researchers in the area of anxiety disorders. Drs. Antony and Swinson present the most up-to-date information about social anxiety and its treatment in a way that is clear and, most importantly, that provides step-by-step tools for overcoming this disorder. This is a must-read for persons suffering with social anxiety.”
—Michelle G. Craske, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles

“This workbook by Antony and Swinson gives the millions of people whose lives are limited by social fears the hope to control their future. The book is clear, practical, easy to follow, and, above all, based on solid, scientific ground. The sections on troubleshooting are especially valuable to really help fine-tune the techniques. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about overcoming their social fears.”
—Ronald M. Rapee, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, author of Overcoming Shyness and Social Phobia

“This volume, written by a team composed of a psychologist and a psychiatrist, is an outstanding workbook for any individual suffering from social anxiety or shyness and wishing to undertake a structured self-help program to overcome it. The book can be used alone or in conjunction with therapy. The authors are experts in their field and they offer strategies that are solidly grounded in the latest research literature. The workbook format provides readers with the exercises and worksheets they need to do the difficult work required to overcome their shyness and social anxiety.”
—Jacqueline B. Persons, Ph.D., director of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy and clinical professor in the department of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley

From the Publisher

This new edition of The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook offers a comprehensive program to help shy people confront their fears and become actively involved in the social world. The activities in this workbook help readers find their strengths and weaknesses, explore and examine their fears, and create personalized plans for change. Information about therapy, medications, and other resources is also included.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; Second Edition edition (July 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572245530
• ISBN-13: 978-1572245532
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.6 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Anxiety Disorders
  • #33 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Mood Disorders

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars not bad December 8, 2011

By comfy girl

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Bought this book because it was hard to find a sitter so I can see a counselor once a week. I worked through the entire book and gained much needed self confidence. The book helped pin point the reason for being shy and become bold enough to get out more and make some great friends. Would recommend to anyone struggling with social anxiety or shyness

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting December 30, 2011

By Vanilla Bean

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a Great book. It has easy hints and tricks to try that are not very complicated or hard to follow. It also breaks the complicated issues down so its easy to understand.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book November 18, 2012

By Anmol Nadkarni

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Very informative, provides step-by-step techniques, and the activities are very fulfilling when done properly. I would recommend buying this book.