Tag Archives: CBT

The Anxiety Journal Book Review

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theanxietyjournal

Anxiety is on the rise. In fact, according to mentalhealth.org.uk, in 2013 there were 8.2 million cases of anxiety in the UK. There has been an explosion in how many anxiety books are published and magazines are full of articles on anxiety and how to cope. In 2017 the House of Commons guidelines state that the maximum waiting time for NHS mental health services should be 18 weeks. It would be fair to say we have an epidemic on our hands.

The good thing about this is the normalisation of anxiety. It is easy to think you are alone when you have a health problem, but anxiety is normal and it is possible to get help. Not only from the NHS, but also from the plethora of books and articles on the subject. The Anxiety Journal is such a book. Full of great techniques and information, I was mightily impressed. The journal goes through every aspect of anxiety: what you may be feeling, symptoms, the different types of anxiety, self-care, triggers, quotes, exercises to help, CBT and how to leave the anxiety mindset behind amongst other things. It has a great resource list and beautiful illustrations by Marcia Mihotich. This is a great journal which is essential for anyone suffering from anxiety.

 

While some forms of anxiety are natural, even helpful, anxiety disorders can lead you into a spiral of stress and worry, and interfere with your everyday life.

Practical, supportive and uplifting, this is a journal for anyone who struggles with anxiety, whether in the form of phobias, social anxiety, generalized anxiety (GAD) or day-to-day worrying. Beautifully illustrated by Marcia Mihotich, The Anxiety Journal by Corinne Sweet encourages you to use CBT techniques and mindfulness exercises to help you better understand your anxiety and help you to achieve peace and calm.

Whether you’re awake at 4am unable to turn off those racing thoughts, or struggling to get yourself together before a presentation, The Anxiety Journal will help to soothe stress and reduce worry, identify negative thought-cycles, and provide you with techniques to combat anxiety wherever you are.

 The Anxiety Journal is available here.

 

This Book Will Make You Calm, Confident, Happy, Sleep Book Reviews

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January is all about becoming a better person. Hope is high and a feeling of renewal is in the air. So this series of This Book Will Make You…books came at the right time to be reviewed. Let’s find out if they can make you Calm, Confident, Happy and Sleep.

This Book Will Make You Calm, happy, confident, sleep

This Book Will Make You Calm

We got sent a lot of books on becoming calm at Christmas time and I think we all know why! We are all becoming more stressed in life and becoming calm will improve your health and life in general. The book helps you tackle anxiety and stress, it has great relaxation techniques, helps you handle panic and maintain a work-life balance. I love the techniques, graphs and strategies. I learned a lot reading this book. It is easy to lose perspective in life and forget about looking after yourself: this book reminds you what to do, and gives you lots of great, new, information too.

This Book Will Make You Happy

Being happy. One of the greatest pursuits of human beings. We seem obsessed with happiness and trying to achieve it. Following on from the format of the other book- and all of the books- the book has strategies, tests and graphs. It focuses on CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) which has become trendy and mainstream, which is not to put it down in any way, I have heard amazing things about it and it works for a lot of people. The book helps you challenge negative thoughts, combat anxiety, manage your emotions and stop procrastinating.

There are positive mind maps and the three biggest crimes against happiness. A great book to bring you closer to happiness.

This Book Will Make You Confident

Everyone wants more confidence and everyone goes through wobbly periods This book promises the tools to build your self-belief and realise your full potential with practical exercises and the latest CBT research. Each book lets you know how it all works and what CBT is. They have great mind maps and techniques which I find very useful. This is a helpful book which helps you deal with insecurity, nature self-belief, challenge your inner critic and play to your strengths. Good book.

This Book Will Make You Sleep

I have been having trouble sleeping so was happy to review this book. Especially after finding myself cleaning the oven at 2am. That is when you know you have a problem. CBT, tips and exercises fill the book, sleep myths are dispersed, sleep facts are given and the book gives great advice. I find myself sleeping better after reading it. Recommended.

This Book Will Make You Calm, Confident, Happy, Sleep by Dr Jessamy Hibberd & Jo Usmar

Released 6 January 2014

This new series for busy, creative people will give you the tools to deal with common problems from anxiety and lack of confidence to sleeplessness and general wellbeing.

Psychologist Dr Jessamy Hibberd and lifestyle journalist Jo Usmar draw on the latest cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to show how to develop coping strategies and learn practical techniques to tackle a range of problems quickly and effectively. From reducing worry and boosting energy levels to breathing and mindfulness techniques, these accessible, handy-size books will make your life more serene, stress-free and fulfilled.

About the authors:

Dr Jessamy Hibberd is a clinical psychologist who worked for the NHS before setting up her own private practice. She is a chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and accredited with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

Jo Usmar is a freelance journalist and editor. She has contributed to a variety of national media, as well as writing a regular relationship column for Cosmopolitan. She has appeared on TV and radio commenting on lifestyle and relationship issues.

 

Are You Suffering From Depression?

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Most worrying fact of the day: Depression affects 1 in 6 people. Mental Health is now no longer something people have to be ashamed about. Even Glamour launched a Hey, It’s OK campaign and Frankie from The Saturdays talked openly about her depression.

According to Beth Murphy, of mental health charity, Mind, one in four people will suffer from a mental health issue at some point in their life. Depression occurs in 10% of the population at any one time.

Are you depressed?
Lack of confidence
Feeling tired, irritable and tearful.
Problems with sleeping and your memory.
Negative thoughts.
Feeling of guilt or worthlessness.
Changes in appetite.
No longer being interested in thing you once liked.
Being self-critical
Losing interest in people and things.

Every one gets down from time to time, it is when it is continuous that you should seek help.

How to help yourself.
The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) say that the diagnosis for mild depression is diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and a talking therapy. Anti depressants are a last resort and you don’t have to worry about a diagnosis of depression being on your medical records, this is private and confidential. Your doctor will not tell anyone else.
Tell someone you are depressed. Don’t keep it all in.
Talk. It’s a cliche but it does help to talk. Try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Get some fresh air.
Exercise. There is strong evidence that exercise improves mood. It also improves sleep, anxiety and stress.
Alternative remedies. Try St John’s Wort.
Antidepressants. If you are worried they are addictive, don’t. They are not.

For more help and advice
mind.org.uk
rethink.org
mentalhealth.org.uk
depressionalliance.org
bacp.co.uk
Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 (Hmm, the Samaritans is an 0845 number, not impressed) Samaritans.org