Almost Anxious - (Almost Effect) by Luana Marques (Paperback)

About the Book

It is only human to worry about problems in our lives - but for some, obsessing for weeks and months, avoiding social events and situations due to feelings of panic can become a regular part of our lives. If any of these describe you or a loved one, then you or they may be almost anxious. Those of us who are almost anxious may never address the issue because we don't fully meet the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. In "Almost Anxious, " Luana Marques, Ph.D., describes the spectrum of almost anxiety symptoms, from normal situational anxiety on one end to a full-blown diagnosable anxiety disorder on the other. Drawing on case studies and the latest research, she gives you the tools to: Assess whether your or a loved one's worry is a problem Gain insight on how to intervene with a loved one Discover proven strategies to change unhealthy feelings of distress Gage the physical, psychological, and social impact of your anxiety symptoms Determine when and how to get professional help when needed

Luana Marques, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and a licensed clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. At MGH she also directs Psychotherapy Research and Training as well as the Hispanic and Clinical Research Programs at the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders.

Eric Metcalf, MPH, is an Indianapolis-based medical writer, editor, and health educator. He has authored or contributed to dozens of books on health and fitness, including the best-selling Doctor's Book of Home Remedies line and other popular book franchises. He has also contributed to several magazines, including Prevention and Better Homes and Gardens, and health websites, such as Health.com. He has a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master's in public health.

Book Synopsis

Recognize obsessive thoughts that can cause worry and panic, and gain the skills to change unhealthy feelings of distress in everyday life.

It is only human to worry about problems in our lives--but for some, obsessing for weeks and months, avoiding social events and situations due to feelings of panic can become a regular part of our lives. If any of these describe you or a loved one, then you or they may be almost anxious.

Those of us who are almost anxious may never address the issue because we don't fully meet the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. In Almost Anxious, Luana Marques, PhD, describes the spectrum of almost anxiety symptoms, from normal situational anxiety on one end to a full-blown diagnosable anxiety disorder on the other.

Drawing on case studies and the latest research, she gives you the tools to: assess whether your or a loved one's worry is a problem; gain insight on how to intervene with a loved one; discover proven strategies to change unhealthy feelings of distress; gauge the physical, psychological, and social impact of your anxiety symptoms; and determine when and how to get professional help when needed.

From the Back Cover

It s only human to worry about problems in our lives but for some of us, obsessing for weeks and months, or avoiding social situations due to feelings of panic, can become regular habits. If any of these describe you or a loved one, it could be almost anxiety.
Those of us who are almost anxious may never address the issue because we don t fully meet the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. In Almost Anxious, Luana Marques, PhD, describes the spectrum of these symptoms, from normal situational anxiety on one end to a full-blown diagnosable anxiety disorder on the other. Drawing on case studies and the latest research, she gives you the tools to

assess whether your or a loved one s worry is a problem

gain insight on how to intervene with a loved one

discover proven strategies to change unhealthy feelings of distress

gauge the physical, psychological, and social impact of your anxiety symptoms

determine when and how to get professional help if needed
"

Review Quotes

"This long overdue book will be invaluable to people who are 'almost anxious' and their loved ones. It presents many effective methods for dealing with anxiety. Very practical and vibrant read! Bravo!"
--Sabine Wilhelm, PhD, Professor, Harvard Medical School
"This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who has ever wondered if they are 'a bit too anxious' and if there is anything they can do to feel more at peace. The text offers clear, scientifically-based information about adaptive levels of anxiety, anxiety disorders, and that 'almost anxious' space in between. The use of diagrams, self-assessment tests, and self-help treatment forms guide the reader in a search to gain understanding of his or her symptoms, and the means to lessen their severity and impact. The best thing about this book, however, is Dr. Marques' voice, energy, and engaging personality. You never feel as though you are stuck in an advanced psychology seminar. Rather, reading this book is like sitting with Dr. Marques in her beautiful office, overlooking the Boston skyline, and having a lovely, personal chat."
--Risa B. Weisberg, PhD, Associate Professor (Research) Brown University
"This is simply a great book. It brings together so much information about anxiety and worry, even if it is 'just' almost, and it does so in a way that is easy to understand and apply to one's own life. The techniques presented for coping with anxiety and worry are practical, pragmatic, easily applied, and likely to be very helpful. This is an important book for persons troubled by anxiety and worry."
--Richard G. Heimberg, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Distinguished Faculty Fellow, and Director of the Adult Anxiety Clinic of Temple University
"Whether you are almost anxious or suffer from a full-blown anxiety disorder, this book provides concrete and proven cognitive and behavioral strategies for effectively dealing with the debilitating problems of anxiety. Dr. Marques, an expert clinician, wrote a masterful book that provides the reader with the knowledge and skills to turn the scary anxiety monster into a harmless pet. It is a must-read for any consumer."
--Stefan G. Hofmann, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Boston University, and author, An Introduction to Modern CBT (Wiley, 2012)
"One of the main goals of effective therapy for individuals with anxiety disorders is to 'give away' as much of the treatment as possible--to have the patient themselves take over the role of therapist. In Almost Anxious, Dr Luana Marques, herself a master clinician and researcher, provides patients and their family members with critical insights and important tools that they can use to more effectively help themselves on the road to better health."
--Mark H. Pollack, MD, The Grainger Professor and Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center
"Almost Anxious is an engaging, informative, and evidence-based book. Accessible to the general reader, it provides an abundance of useful tips for people struggling to cope with symptoms of anxiety."
--Richard J. McNally, PhD, Professor, Harvard University author, "What is Mental Illness?"

This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who has ever wondered if they are "a bit too anxious" and if there is anything they can do to feel more at peace. The text offers clear, scientifically-based information about adaptive levels of anxiety, anxiety disorders, and that "almost anxious" space in between. The use of diagrams, self-assessment tests, and self-help treatment forms guide the reader in a search to gain understanding of his or her symptoms, and the means to lessen their severity and impact. The best thing about this book, however, is Dr. Marques' voice, energy, and engaging personality. You never feel as though you are stuck in an advanced psychology seminar. Rather, reading this book is like sitting with Dr. Marques in her beautiful office, overlooking the Boston skyline, and having a lovely, personal chat."
- Risa B. Weisberg, Ph.D. Associate Professor (Research) Brown University
This is simply a great book. It brings together so much information about anxiety and worry, even if it is "just" almost, and it does so in a way that is easy to understand and apply to one's own life. The techniques presented for coping with anxiety and worry are practical, pragmatic, easily applied, and likely to be very helpful. This is an important book for persons troubled by anxiety and worry.
-Richard G. Heimberg, PhD., Professor of Psychology, Distinguished Faculty Fellow, and Director of the Adult Anxiety Clinic of Temple University:
Whether you are almost anxious or suffer from a full-blown anxiety disorder, this book provides concrete and proven cognitive and behavioral strategies for effectively dealing with the debilitating problems of anxiety. Dr. Marques, an expert clinician, wrote a masterful book that provides the reader with the knowledge and skills to turn the scary anxiety monster into a harmless pet. It is a must-read for any consumer.
- Stefan G. Hofmann, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Boston University, and Author, "An Introd

About the Author

Luana Marques, PhD, is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and a licensed clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. At MGH she also directs Psychotherapy Research and Training as well as the Hispanic and Clinical Research Programs at the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders. Marques lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Eric Metcalf, MPH, is an Indianapolis-based medical writer, editor, and health educator. He has authored or contributed to dozens of books on health and fitness, including the best-selling Doctor's Book of Home Remedies line and other popular book franchises. He has also contributed to several magazines, including Prevention and Better Homes and Gardens, and health websites, such as Health.com. He has a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master's in public health. Metcalf lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.