Customer Reviews

Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong: A Guide to Life Liberated from Anxiety

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First of all, I wouldn't exactly call myself an anxious person. A pessimist, maybe. A realist for sure. Bad stuff happens, often enough to me. I think it's just plain good sense to plan for things to go terribly, horribly wrong. So, even though I didn't set out to buy a self-help book about anxiety, when I stumbled on a copy of this book, with it's disconcerting, topsy turvy cover, I bought it on impulse. And then I read it. And now...well, now, I feel like I'm looking a the world in a totally and profoundly different way. And I like what I see.

Nothing in the book defies logic. In fact, it's all very simple, really, making uncannily perfect sense. In fact, I'm kind of surprised none of the points in the gentle, funny, and playful chapters never occurred to me spontaneously before. But as I browsed and flirted with this remarkable little book, a lot became clear to me about those times in life when I've struggled. Yes, I can choose to give my attention gently to what's going on around me in the here and now. Yes, I can learn to not invest my thoughts with a lot of unnecessary authority. Yes, I can decide what I want my life to really be about, and, yes, I can find the flexibility I need to make it happen.

I found the book to be wise and warm, literary and lighthearted. There is no "seven steps to a better you" here, no psychobabble or motivational baloney. Rather, it's like a barroom conversation with Wilson and DuFrene, a couple of guys who've thought a lot about life and how to wring a lot of joy and meaning out of the brief time we have. I loved the book. I got a whole lot out of it, even though I didn't really mean to. And I recommend it sincerely to anyone who has a few hours to kill on a good read that might, just possibly, change his or her life.

For any of you who have ever been anxious--whether you suffer from an anxiety disorder or struggle under the weight of job stress, parental responsibilities, and the speed of a society that presses us to rush through life without ever stopping to get present--this book is for you. Like many who will pick up this title I've suffered from stress and anxiety much of my life. I've read dozens of books on the topic and have worked as a self-help writer for nearly a decade. Rarely, if ever, have I read a book on anxiety that is as lucid and engaging as this one. It provides a unique insight not only into the nature of anxiety but the nature of human suffering by looking at the problem through the lens of an emerging, scientifically-grounded, and extremely innovative psyotherapeutic modality called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. ACT, as it is often called, utilizes techniques--like mindfulness and thought watching--that are as old as the hills, but contextualizes them in a way that is extremely palatable, intellectually satisfying, and useful for the Western reader. While the book is skill-based (in that it teaches you how to use specific techniques to manage anxiety) it was delightful to find that this isn't a "quick fix" program like so many out there, but one that is built to help you look at your stress, your anxiety, your life in a fundamentally new and different way. It's an extraordinary work. If there's one book you buy on anxiety, this is the one you should purchase. There is no question: Things might, indeed, go terribly, horribly wrong--if they do, the approach this book offers could be the difference between anxious paralysis and the psychological space and flexibility to move through your difficulties with the grace we all hope to achieve.

Hello,

I just wanted to mention how remarkably helpful this book has been to so many of my clients. I have also found it a worthwhile and personally liberating read. There is an authenticity and compassion that is deeply present in the voice of this book. The suggestions and techniques have a solid grounding in state of the art psychological research, yet they are presented in an engaging, humorous and humanistic way. This book does not feel like a workbook or a self-help book. It has the quality of a warm and significant conversation with someone who is invested in your well-being and your personal liberation. I have recommended this book to very many clients, and they each have told me that it has meant something to them. It is very rare that such a unanimous response occurs with bibliotherapy recommendations. Also, this is one of the first books that my clients have referred to others in their lives whom they care about. This is an important work.

Be Well,

Dennis

Dennis Tirch PhD,
Associate Director,
American Institute for Cognitive Therapy.
Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor,
Weill Cornell Medical College.
Diplomate and Fellow,
Academy of Cognitive Therapy.

I've finished reading (and rereading) "Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong," by Kelly Wilson & Troy Dufrene. As I expected from having read the previous book by this duo ("Mindfulness For Two"), this latest work is not only for those of us anxious about our anxiety, but for anyone interested in living well.

It's different than most self-help books. For one thing, it is not a workbook so much as a playbook. It has games you can try out - some hard, some easy - and poems too.

I find that with a few of the games, my mind starts complaining even while I'm reading the instructions on how to play: "That's impossible! That makes no sense!" This is already a hint of the possibilities involved.

I also like the book's discussion of values & how we can commit to them in this moment. And if we fail, as we sometimes do, how we can gently come back to a value & renew our commitment to it.

And those of us who want control at almost any cost (I raise my hand) will benefit from the examples throughout of how helpful it can be to allow life to surprise us.

I work in a large mental health system with individuals with a range of difficulties, and am constantly challenged to help my clients engage their lives (and their difficulties) in new ways. My bookshelf is full of books aiming to teach people how to do this, or to teach therapists how to help people do this. And this one stands apart.

The writing is engaging, and the authors' bring fresh descriptions, metaphors, and examples to an approach with which I'm very familiar. I read Things cover to cover in a sitting. The exercises offer poignant experiences, but are simple enough so as to be doable. I found myself going back to this exercise or that during the week that followed my initial read. The things I noticed there crept back up both in my personal life and in my sessions with clients.

I have since pulled many of the exercises into my individual and group therapy sessions, and have even directly recommended the book to clients. I've given copies to several of my colleagues with a range of familiarity with acceptance and commitment therapy, and they have shared my enthusiasm.

I think Wilson and DuFrene have created a really lovely opportunity for people to engage their lives in new ways, and I recommend it without hesitation.

This is, quite simply, the best book on anxiety that I've come across. I say this from the perspective of a psychologist and teacher who's constantly looking for material that both speaks to people suffering from anxiety and also holds up in the classroom. In other words, this book is both enjoyable, sympathetic, and intellectually quite rigorous. It doesn't fall into the trap that so many CBT approaches do of in some way trying to control or get rid of the anxiety, but it also doesn't leave you with nothing to do or try. One of the strengths of this book is the experiments that lead you into your anxiety and help you realize it may not be quite what you thought it was. Very highly recommended.

I found this book to be very enjoyable and engaging. It is easy to understand, feeling much like you're kicking back with the authors having a casual but meaningful conversation over coffee. I believe this is a worthwhile read not only for those of us who struggle with anxiety, but for anyone seeking a meaningful and purposeful life.

"Things" invites the reader to look at anxiety differently than we may have in the past. Rather than trying to help us avoid, overcome, reduce or get rid of our feelings of anxiety, it helps us learn that we can sit with and make room for those feelings and still go on living in a rich and meaningful way that matters to us.

"Things" is grounded in research-supported psychotherapy, yet is written in a non-technical, humorous and empathetic style. You won't find a load of psychobabble within its pages. You will find gentle wisdom, compassion and sincerity, and you'll have the distinct feeling that it was written by someone genuinely interested in your well-being.

I got a lot out of this book and I'm sure I will be returning to it time and again. The techniques discussed, such as mindfulness, thought watching, defusion and acceptance are presented in such a way as to help you look at your anxiety and your other struggles in a completely different way; one that will ultimately allow you to develop the psychological flexibility to live a richer, more purposeful life. There are numerous games throughout the book that are helpful in applying and practicing the techniques presented. The games are such that you can go back anytime, open the book and depending on what or how you're feeling at that moment, pick out a suitable game to play.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone struggling with anxiety and more generally to anyone wishing to live life more fully with richness and purpose. I so enjoyed "Things" and got so much out of it that I went ahead and ordered the authors' Mindfulness for Two: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Approach to Mindfulness in Psychotherapy before I was even done reading it. "Mindfulness" is intended for professionals but the authors' writing style in "Things" left me feeling confident that I'll be able to benefit from reading it even though I'll be reading from the client's perspective. I'm looking forward to another enjoyable "conversation" with the authors full of compassion, insight, wisdom and valuable, concrete advice and techniques to foster mindfulness and valued living.

First time I've enjoyed a "guide". The exercises were usefully.
Recently, I went scuba diving. I'd never been in water over five feet. I attribute this adventure to the process of discovery during this read.

I have and will continue to recommend, even for those that have undiagnosed anxiety.

Kelly Wilson has a gift for communication. He does a fantastic job of relating to the reader and explaining the psychology of anxiety in a way that is accessible to all. I use this book in my work with clients, many of whom have struggled with anxiety for years. It is amazing to witness their transformation and growth in our work. Kelly's book has become an integral part of my work with clients. I've recommended it to clients, friends, and family members.
Gregory Wells, Ph.D.

Great book. I manage 2 drug communities and use the book for anxious people. Very accessible with good exercises. Some anxiety books created anxiety reading them. Not this one - it is like having a casual conversation with the author. I find all of Kelly's work to be very readable and extremely helpful.