Do you know any good anxiety self-help books? - IBS Network

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Do you know any good anxiety self-help books?

Kweh123 profile image
19 Replies

My anxiety has been in overdrive the last few weeks and it's causing me physical symptoms, which aren't IBS related. I've been advised by my doctor to read self-help books regarding anxiety. I would like to read one that teaches you how to deal with the symptoms and was wondering if any of you know any good books I could try?

Thanks x

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Kweh123 profile image
Kweh123
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19 Replies
marthaalice profile image
marthaalice

My daughter is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. I will ask her for some recommendations and get back to you later today.

Kweh123 profile image
Kweh123 in reply tomarthaalice

Thank you so much :)

marthaalice profile image
marthaalice

Overcoming Anxiety (the overcoming books series) by Helen Kennerley. is highly recommended by my daughter who specialises in people with Anxiety in her job.

Kweh123 profile image
Kweh123 in reply tomarthaalice

Thank you. I was looking at that one yesterday actually and thinking of buying it :)

howarddavies profile image
howarddavies in reply toKweh123

I've got that book myself so I can highly recommend it

Kweh123 profile image
Kweh123 in reply tohowarddavies

Awesome! I just bought it :)

xjrs profile image
xjrs

You could try "The Worry Cure: Stop Worrying and Start Living" by Robert L. Leahy. I haven't read this for some time, but I remember it being quite a practical book.

Kweh123 profile image
Kweh123 in reply toxjrs

Thank you :)

marthaalice profile image
marthaalice

You can also self refer to your local IAPT service You can google for the local service in your area. They can get you help for anxiety. (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies )

england.nhs.uk/mental-healt...

Kweh123 profile image
Kweh123 in reply tomarthaalice

Thanks :) I did register with a service run in my local area, where they can set me up on certain courses. They are running one about living with long term conditions, which I hope they can sign me up on. I have to wait a few days for them to get back to me though.

Alli1 profile image
Alli1

Hi sorry to hear your anxiety is affecting you so much. Three is lots of helpful literature written to explain and help anxiety but sometime they can be very overwhelming especially when we are in the middle of the turmoil of anxiety. I particularly like Nicola Bird’s “A little Peace of Mind” she has a FB group too which you can become a member of and get support from others. If you check her out on You Tube under “ A little Peace if Mind” I think you will find lots of information and tips.

I think that using Mindfulness Apps are very useful and there are many. I particularly like “Calm” you can get some bits for free but there is a subscription cost if you want more. “Headspace” is another one that’s good. Perhaps the best thing is to search in the App Store under headings like “Relaxation” “ Mindfulness “ and you will find lots to choose from. Sometimes when we are going through anxiety it can be too much to sit and read a book and that’s where listening to someone’s voice or seeing a peaceful scene can help so much. I’m also a great fan of Audible books for stress and Anxiety.

I hope some of the above is useful

😊

Kweh123 profile image
Kweh123 in reply toAlli1

Thank you so much. I was going to start looking for meditation-like videos on YouTube and see what comes up. I used Headspace years ago and would like to get it again as it was good for relaxation.

Jumpey profile image
Jumpey

As I therapist I can recommend Anxiety Relief by John Crawford.

Good luck.You can get through this!xx

Kweh123 profile image
Kweh123 in reply toJumpey

Thank you so much :)

Have a look in your Local library our one has many can always do a net search on any that tickle you while there as most have PC's

We discussed it in my Autism Group last week with the books and way people deal with it!

Edgefield profile image
Edgefield

Hi

Its not an anxiety book per se but my consultant suggested I read "Its all in your head" by Suzanne O Sullivan. It about psychosomatic illness. I have had gut transit study, CT scan, colonscopy and gastroscopy and nothing showed up (luckily). My very experienced consultant is very patient and realised I was suffering from extreme anxiety because I have had GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) for as long as I can remember and have in the last 6 years cared for a daughter who has had significant mental health issues (suicidal for 2 years), is unable to communicate with her parents but needs love and during this intense time for reasons I wont go into my husband put us into significant financial insecurity.

The book describes the extreme unexplained psychosomatic responses that some patients have for a whole host of reasons. What I gained from reading the book is that there are lots of things which cant be explained and also that there are a lot of people much worse of than me. It hasn't cured my anxiety about my situation or my IBS but has given me a new perspective so that I am not worrying about it quite so much. I hope it helps you to if you are able to read it.

Kweh123 profile image
Kweh123 in reply toEdgefield

Thank you for your recommendation. I'm sorry to hear about your daughter and financial issues. I hope they are better for you now. I'm glad you're not worrying as much as you used to - I need to stop my worrying and get on with life

IBSNetwork profile image
IBSNetworkPartnerIBS Network

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you're struggling.

We have information on managing stress and anxiety here. theibsnetwork.org/stress/

We also have some book recommendations here. theibsnetwork.org/shop/books

Let us know how you get on. We're here if you need us theibsnetwork.org

Kweh123 profile image
Kweh123 in reply toIBSNetwork

Thank you so much :)

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