Written by Hilary I. Lebow
We polled experts on their favorite books for managing anxiety, from the classics to more unorthodox approaches. Here’s what they said.
When it comes to anxiety, the more tools in your toolkit, the better. There can be enormous comfort in knowing that a single book contains decades of research and wisdom, delivered in a practical, easy-to-access format.
Whether you flip to a random page or go chapter by chapter, books can be an excellent way to learn more about anxiety, develop life-changing coping skills, and help you navigate those tough moments — no matter where you are.
A quick look at the 12 best books for anxiety
- Best overall: Unwinding Anxiety
- Best workbook: The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook
- Best for social anxiety: Essential Strategies for Social Anxiety
- Best-selling: Unf*ck Your Brain
- Best for meditation: Practicing Mindfulness
- Best therapist-recommended: Mind Over Mood
- Best for hard times: When Things Fall Apart
- Best for children: What To Do When You Worry Too Much
- Best for teens: Conquer Anxiety Workbook for Teens
- Best for creatives: Big Magic
- Best for parents of young kids: The Opposite of Worry
- Best for parents of teens: Helping Your Anxious Teen
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is the most common mental health concern in America. It affects at least 18% of U.S. adults, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA).
There’s a difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder, although some symptoms can overlap. Some common anxiety disorders include:
Plus, some conditions used to be categorized as anxiety disorders but are now considered separate conditions, including:
When to see a doctor about your anxiety
Anxiety exists on a spectrum. While the books in this list are excellent, some people may find that they need additional support to manage symptoms.
If anxiety is significantly affecting your quality of life, consider reaching out to a professional you trust to co-create the best treatment plan for you.
Criteria we used to pick
The book options on anxiety appear to be endless. With so many titles floating around the self-help space, we tailored our list based on a few key factors:
- price
- user reviews
- author qualifications
- science-backed strategies
- therapist recommendations
Plus, all products have been vetted to ensure that they meet Psych Central’s medical, editorial, and business standards.
A note on price
General price ranges with dollar signs ($ to $$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is lower-priced, whereas two dollar signs indicate a higher price range.
Prices for the physical format, most commonly paperback, were used for the price comparison. Most of the books also have Kindle and audio editions, which may slightly increase or decrease the price.
Pricing guide:
- $ = under or at $20
- $$ = over $20
Our picks of the best anxiety books
Best overall
Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind
- Price: $
- Format: hardcover, Kindle, audiobook
If it’s written by a neuroscientist, you know it ought to be good.
With mindfulness at the core of the message, this book breaks down 20 years of research into a practical format, so you can truly understand why your brain does what it does.
From there, empirically based practices can help you “unwind” your anxiety and unlearn any unhelpful habits you may have picked up to cope with stress (hey, it happens to the best of us).
Why we chose it
The author, Judson Brewer, MD, PhD not only impresses with his credentials and academic background, he also knows what it’s like to live with anxiety. This book offers a relatable mix of personal anecdotes, step-by-step guidance, and success stories from his lab.
What we like
- easy-to-absorb language
- based on the latest research
- incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Click Here To Read More https://psychcentral.com/reviews/best-books-about-anxiety#our-picks
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