The Anxiety Toolkit: Strategies for Fine-Tuning Your Mind and Moving Past Your Stuck Points

I knew I had anxiety. I knew some things would freak me out and I would stress until it started to affect my health. It got worse as I got older. This book showed me how much I run scenarios in my head about money, work, family, and health until I am exhausted. Seeing that pattern named felt awkward and honest, in the best way. The author does not just point fingers. The book gives clear, practical steps to stop replaying the same scenes over and over and to be kinder to myself when I do. I also learned something about how I react to people. I am a fighter by nature, which is why I get grumpy when I feel exposed or uncomfortable. Feedback used to feel like an attack on my character. I would take it, shut down, and then replay it for hours. The book helped me see that there is no winning a feedback fight. Now I can start treating feedback as information, not a verdict, and that idea already makes me less prickly. Two things I will use right away are the structured feedback method called the poopsandwich, which is kudos, one learning point, and more kudos, and the step by step techniques for stopping thought loops so I do not replay conversations for hours. Both are simple, memorable, and actually doable as I move into leadership. (In fact, I will likely judge those who do not use the poopsandwich. LOL ) This book did more than teach tactics. It helped me reframe how I relate to myself and gave tools I can use tomorrow. If your anxiety shows up as constant replaying and self punishment, this is a compassionate, useful guide.

This book has made a huge difference in how I deal with stress and anxiety. It's professionally written but doesn't drown the reader in mumbo-jumbo. There are practical ways to discover problem areas, and there are simple but effective 'worksheet' type exercises that aren't overwhelming. Because of this book I am aware when an anxiety trigger occurs...and can recognize it and settle myself down. IMO, it would be good for anxiety of all levels as there is something to learn for almost everyone. I don't usually write such personal reviews but this book is awesome and I will be buying more copies. What do you have to lose for $10-15?

I got this book almost 3 years ago. I had been having general anxiety to the point of not being able to sleep. Then I had a panic attack on an airplane. So I got this book. Like so many books, I get it, read it and then put it aside. That was three years ago. Lately I had been having some serious anxiety and another very severe panic attack on an airplane to the point where I just can't live like this. I tried to get an appointment with a couple of professionals, but they were all booked in my area. They're too busy prescribing ritalin to Chancey I guess. So I picked up this book, and I really did it this time. It seems to be having a tremendous effect. The book itself: it's very brief but covers a lot of ground. There is a lot of material that doesn't apply to me. At the beginning of each chapter a quiz is offered to help the reader identify whether he or she has symptoms related to the chapter. The book helps the read identify his/her problems and then offers widely accepted exercises. Some of the exercises seem simple; for example, mindfulness meditation. But at least for me they seem to be very effective.

I am a licensed clinical therapist and found this book to be a wonderful refresher that focuses solely on anxiety and offers clear considerations and actions for various types of anxiety. I have dog eared pages and highlighted parts, gone back and applied various tidbits for different clients over the last few weeks.

I bought this book after I stumbled on the author's website. After reading several books on cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), I found that it was much easier to relate to this book. The information is practical, organized clearly, and relatable to my life as a 20-something. I personally enjoy the quizzes throughout the book and found them helpful in becoming more self-aware of my own thought patterns and actions. I highly recommend this book to people I meet and hope this book will transform your life.

I was out of my mine with anxiety and panic attacks when I found this book. I'm bipolar and had gotten so screwed-up with medication changes that I became majorly depressed. Along with depression I started having SERIOUS panic attacks. I was wishing to die. My psychiatrist told me, that medication can help but I was going to need to do my part in changing my mindset. I started searching the Internet and found this book. I think this book did more for me than any drugs could have. My mind kept telling me lies and they were complete reality as far as I was concerned. I thought I had to gain control of my mine mind or I would need to go on disability. Seriously!

Okay, but nothing new.

I like this book on anxiety. I read a lot of reviews that said the author gets her message across and it's true. She has good suggestions which I'm trying to follow. I haven't been able to devote enough time to doing a lot of work on my anxiety yet, but the stuff I've tried had some positive results. Anxiety has been with me since a young age so I keep finding ways to work on it. I will update my review in a few months.

Good

Really good book. Would highly recommend.

Awesome book. Talks with you.

A great resource! Explained concepts well in relatable language. The strategies made sense and could be put into action right away. I've done TONS of prior reading on this topic and have still come away with so many "Aha!" moments. If you have anxiety and do well with written resources, this is a no-brainer investment.

this is one of the books which go for practical examples and make you understand complex things with ease