Below is a list of books on anxiety. we’ve included books that use various techniques that apply to a variety of mental health conditions, people, and ages.
best for worksheets and quizzes – keep calm
this book is written by a licensed clinical psychologist: jill p. Weber, Ph.D. the methods within this book are derived from cbt.
You are reading: Best books on anxiety and panic attacks
is a guide that includes anxiety education, encouragement, and research-based methods to reduce anxiety symptoms.
Has an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, based on over 1,000 reviews.
pros and cons
Reviews indicate that this book uses several techniques that can help with anxiety, such as worksheets and quizzes. furthermore, reviewers state that the techniques are easy to understand and apply in everyday situations.
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Other benefits include:
- written by a licensed psychologist
- organized into specific situations, such as emotional and physical symptoms
- includes prompts for journaling
However, others report that they did not find the book helpful, as it focused heavily on breathing techniques, rather than why people get anxious. other reviewers claim that the examples in this book are unrelated.
be calm by jill p weber, phd costs $14.29 in paperback. It’s also available on Kindle for $8.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited.
Best For Those With Phobias: The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook
Therapists reportedly recommend this workbook-style guide. uses various techniques, including:
- meditation
- mindfulness
- exercise tips
- nutrition tips
- breathing techniques
- exposure therapy
- relapse prevention
the author, edmund j. Bourne, PhD, has 30 years of experience treating anxiety disorders. The book also aims to address mental health conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS).
Has an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, based on over 4,600 reviews.
pros and cons
Reviewers state that they find this book makes them feel less isolated and more able to deal with the challenges that phobias bring. in addition, others affirm that the book provides a clear guide on the steps to follow at their own pace.
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Other benefits include:
- written by a CBT expert
- addresses a wide range of anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions
- includes updated information on some medications and research
However, some reviewers did not find the techniques helpful, and others found the digital form of the book difficult to use as a workbook. others noted that he did not use language that included people who were not in a relationship.
anxiety & the phobia workbook is $20.99 in paperback and $14.99 on kindle.
Best for Changing Thought Patterns: Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks
This CBT book is a 7-week course that aims to help people manage anxiety and depression by teaching them practical CBT techniques. each week builds on the approaches an individual learned the previous week and aims to change a person’s thought patterns over time.
the author, seth j. gillihan, is a psychologist who treats many people with his tcc methods.
The book has an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, based on over 6,000 reviews.
pros and cons
Reviews are mostly positive, with readers saying the book is beginner-friendly and contains practical methods to reduce anxiety.
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Other benefits include:
- written by a psychologist
- can be used whenever symptoms of anxiety are present
- makes CBT more financially affordable
However, some readers noted that it is not suitable for people who are already familiar with CBT, as it is aimed at beginners in the technique. Also, other readers found his conflation of advice for anxiety and depression useless, as the two conditions don’t always occur at the same time.
Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks is $10.29 for paperback and $6.99 for kindle.
Best for Boosting Self-Confidence: Essential Strategies for Social Anxiety
This book is specifically for people with social anxiety.
Its goal is to educate and offer techniques from various disciplines, including CBT, Mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). also shares real life stories to show how these methods can help.
The author is a cognitive behavioral therapist and trainer.
on amazon, this book has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on 179 reviews.
pros and cons
Reviews are mostly positive for this book. readers say that it is an ideal book for beginners as it is easy to understand and follow. others say it describes and details practical ways to address a person’s fears.
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Other benefits include:
- Written by a certified psychotherapist and CBT therapist
- It is based on a variety of anxiety management techniques
- Includes exercises to try
However, it may not be suitable for those with conditions other than social anxiety, as it tends to address social anxiety-specific strategies. In addition, it has a relatively low number of reviews on Amazon compared to other books in this article.
Essential Strategies for Social Anxiety costs $11.69 in paperback or $9.99 on kindle. it’s free with kindle unlimited.
Better for Teens: Feeling Better: CBT Workbook for Teens
This book is for teens experiencing anxiety. It primarily uses CBT techniques and features interactive exercises that target negative thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.
also introduces some mindfulness and act therapy approaches.
the author, rachel l. Hutt, PhD, works with children, adolescents, and parents who use CBT.
This book has an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, based on over 860 reviews.
pros and cons
Reviewers say the book provides a solid and useful guide to help teens cope with anxiety. others say the worksheets help teens work through and recognize personal triggers that can lead to anxiety.
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Other benefits include:
- written by a licensed clinical psychologist
- specifically geared to youth concerns
- uses CBT, act and mindfulness techniques
- includes self-assessments to help teens understand their feelings
however, some reviewers report that the exercises were not deep enough for their needs.
feel better: tcc workbook for teens is available in paperback for $11.99 or $9.99 on kindle. it’s free with kindle unlimited.
best for parents and caregivers: freeing your child from anxiety
This book is for parents and caregivers of young children and adolescents. shares exercises they can do with their children that could help them reduce anxiety and control their fears. it also covers how to handle the pressure that can come with tests and exams.
Tamar Chansky, the author, has written many books on anxiety related to children and is the founder of the Children’s and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety.
The book has an average customer rating of 4.7 stars out of 5, based on over 630 reviews.
pros and cons
Reviewers say this book has helped them understand and see their anxious children’s thoughts and feelings in a new light. In addition, the book uses helpful strategies to help parents or caregivers reduce the child’s negative emotions and turn them into positive ones.
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Other benefits include:
- written by a psychologist and child anxiety expert
- focuses on the unique challenges young children and adolescents may face
- empowers parents and caregivers to understanding and managing childhood anxiety
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However, it’s a long read at 480 pages. some reviewers write that it does not provide enough guidance on anxiety in adolescents. others point out that it does not use gender-inclusive language.
Freeing Your Child From Anxiety by Tamar Chansky, Phd, is $15.99 in paperback and $12.99 on kindle.
best for humor: extreme self help: f**k anxiety
A slightly different approach to self-help, this book is for people who find self-help books difficult to read and prefer to delve into something lighter.
The author, Robert Duff, PhD, is a psychologist whose goal is to break down mental health issues into plain language so the information is easily accessible.
As the title indicates, the book contains a lot of swearing and humor throughout its 74 pages. There are many tips and practices a person can implement to address her anxiety based on duff’s professional and lived experiences.
Has an average rating of 4.4 stars out of a possible 5, based on over 1,900 reviews.
pros and cons
Readers report that this book is very enjoyable to read and that the techniques are very easy to implement.
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Other benefits include:
- the kindle version is very affordable
- offers a light-hearted discussion of mental health issues
- a 74-page speed read
- may not be suitable for younger readers due to adult language
However, some readers found the book too simplified and others felt the curse level was too high. furthermore, it is not the most recently published book on this list, as it was released in 2015.
hardcore self help: f**k anxiety is available for $9.99 in paperback or $2.99 on kindle. it’s free with kindle unlimited.
best for illustrations: don’t feed the monkey mind
This book uses illustrations along with mindfulness, cbt and act techniques to address anxious thoughts. states that a person should stop feeding their “monkey mind,” which refers to negative thoughts, instead of getting rid of them altogether.
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The author, Jennifer Shannon, is a psychologist with over 30 years of experience in CBT and treating anxiety.
The book has an average customer rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 on amazon based on over 780 reviews.
pros and cons
Reviewers say this book is well-written and relatable, with some reporting long-term benefits after using the strategies in the book.
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Other benefits include:
- written by a psychotherapist
- uses CBT, act and mindfulness techniques
However, some reviewers noted that it may not be suitable for people with gad, as it focuses on situational anxiety. also, some readers had problems with the structure of the book.
Don’t Feed the Monkey Mind: How to Stop the Cycle of Anxiety, Fear, and Worry is $14.69 in paperback and $11.49 on kindle.
best for lgbtqia+ people: queer mental health workbook
This book addresses the mental health challenges that lgbtqia+ people may face. uses a variety of therapeutic approaches, techniques, and activities that the reader can delve into at their own pace. These include CBT, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). the book aims to make the reader feel empowered and able to face challenges.
Split into two sections, the first explores identity, psychological well-being, and mental health challenges. aims to contextualize the techniques explored in the second section, which explores topics such as:
- anxiety
- embarrassment
- low self-esteem
- eating disorders
- self-harm
- suicidal thoughts
- substance use disorder
The author, Dr. Brendan Dunlop, is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Professor of Clinical Psychology. dunlop’s research focuses on minority mental health, in particular the mental health of those who are lgbtqia+.
The book has an average customer rating of 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, based on 16 reviews.
pros and cons
all reviews on amazon are positive. however, there are a very limited number of online reviews for this book as it was published in March 2022. readers say the book is comprehensive and can be useful not only to those who are lgbtqia+, but also to their friends and other health professionals.
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Other benefits include:
- focused on the unique challenges facing people in the lgbtqia+ community
- includes advice on a wide range of experiences and challenges
however, some people in lgbtqia+ find the term “queer”, which is used regularly in this book, offensive. it’s also the most expensive book on this list, which may make it unsuitable for some on smaller budgets.
The Queer Mental Health Workbook: A Creative Self-Help Guide is $24.95 in paperback and $13.19 on kindle.
Best for Autistic People: Overcoming Anxiety and Depression on the Autism Spectrum
This book uses CBT to address the interpersonal difficulties, anxiety, and depression that autistic people may experience. may be suitable for people with the full spectrum of autism and those who have not been diagnosed by a health professional.
The author, Lee Wilkinson, is an applied researcher, educational psychologist, and board-certified cognitive-behavioral therapist. Her research and writing focus on behavioral consultation and therapy in autism.
This book has an average customer rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, based on 104 reviews.
pros and cons
Some reviewers claim that this book explains the principles of CBT and helps change negative thought habits to more positive ones. furthermore, readers have written that the quizzes and worksheets frame autistic traits in a positive way.
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Other benefits include:
- can be helpful for autistic people as well as friends and family
- does not exclude people without a formal diagnosis
however, others report that the book is more suitable for people with autism with low support needs. In addition, it is not recently published, having been marketed since 2015.
Overcoming anxiety and depression on the autism spectrum costs $16.48 in paperback and $13.17 on kindle.
best for learning how the brain creates anxiety: rewire your anxious brain
This book teaches readers about the amygdala and the cortex, areas of the brain that are responsible for fear and worry. By understanding how anxiety begins in the brain, this book aims to provide readers with the foundation to develop effective coping strategies for its symptoms.
This book is written by two authors, Catherine Pittman and Elizabeth Karle. Catherine Pittman is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of brain injuries and anxiety disorders. Elizabeth Karle has personal experience with anxiety disorders and has contributed research to this book.
This book has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 on amazon based on over 2,800 reviews.
pros and cons
Reviews are mostly positive, and readers say the book is easy to read. Other readers say that the book has helped them better understand anxiety and has helped them implement strategies for anxiety.
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Other benefits include:
- written by a licensed psychologist and author with personal experience with anxiety
- recommended by therapists
However, some reviewers did not find its focus on relaxation, sleep, nutrition, and exercise helpful. furthermore, some found that it did not include any new information on anxiety. Since the book was published in 2015, this increases the chances that the information in the book is out of date.
Rewire Your Anxious Brain is $13.40 in paperback and $9.99 on kindle.
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