Overcoming Paralyzing Doubt and Indecision - by David A Clark (Paperback)

About the Book

Everyone has their doubts now and then, but extreme doubt--the kind that leaves you paralyzed and unable to move forward in your life--can cause intense emotional distress, and even lead to (or worsen) several mental health conditions, such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Written by anxiety and OCD expert David A. Clark, this evidence-based workbook offers essential skills grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help readers overcome toxic doubt, make peace with uncertainty, and improve their lives.

Book Synopsis

Get unstuck from paralyzing doubt and indecision with this evidence-based workbook--from anxiety and OCD expert David A. Clark.

Do you have trouble making decisions? Does the unknown fill you with existential dread? Do you struggle with an intense fear of commitment that sabotages your personal relationships? Everyone has their doubts now and then, but extreme doubt--the kind that leaves you paralyzed and unable to live your life--can cause immense emotional distress, and even lead to (or worsen) several mental health conditions, such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). So, how can you get unstuck from doubt, trust yourself, and start living the life you were meant to live?

This evidence-based workbook offers essential skills grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you overcome toxic doubt, make peace with uncertainty, and improve your life. You'll learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy doubt, how to break free from the "indecision trap," and how to overcome fear of commitment, crisis of belief, and extreme risk-aversion. You'll also find skills to help you move beyond self-critical thoughts, unrealistic expectations, and unhealthy ways of coping.

With this powerful workbook, you will:

• Understand and dismantle doubt
• Learn to live with uncertainty
• Build self-trust and act decisively
• Get unstuck and move forward

Doubt can be healthy--it protects you from false beliefs, baseless claims, and overconfidence. But if doubt is standing in the way of reaching your goals or living your life, it's time to make a change. This step-by-step workbook can help you get started today.

Review Quotes

"David has written an astoundingly clear book that places perfectionism and the quest for certainty at the heart of doubt. Doubt is a neglected construct in the literature, yet it is everywhere in daily life. Finally, we have a road map that helps us navigate and manage the traps that maintain doubt."
--Sunil Bhar, PhD, professor of psychology at Swinburne University, and coeditor of The Self in Understanding and Treating Psychological Disorders

--Sunil Bhar, PhD

"David A. Clark offers a compassionate and practical road map for breaking free from chronic doubt. Readers will feel understood, empowered, and ready to move forward."
--Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD, professor of clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and author of Getting Over OCD

--Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD

"In accessible language, David A. Clark demonstrates how to make decisions and take actions when doubt is present. Seeking safety or certainty will usually backfire.There are relevant distinctions between opinion, belief, and conviction; between self-doubt and low risk tolerance; and between healthy and unhealthy doubt in relationships. Self-tests and personalized exercises assist the reader to identify specific thinking mistakes and beliefs to illuminate the path forward. I highly recommend this book."
--Sally Winston, PsyD, coauthor of Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts, Needing to Know for Sure, and Overcoming Anticipatory Anxiety

--Sally Winston, PsyD

"In this world, nothing is certain but death, taxes, and that this book is an antidote to doubt. Crisp, clear analysis of the doubting cycle and how to break out of it from an esteemed authority who has dedicated his career to helping people overcome stuck thinking patterns. Full of useful hints and creative strategies to redirect your mind from doubt to freedom."
--Christine Purdon, PhD, CPsych, professor of psychology at the University of Waterloo

--Christine Purdon, PhD, CPsych

"This fantastic resource offers accessible tools to identify and understand paralyzing doubt, indecision, uncertainty, and perfectionism; to shift away from the strategies that keep you stuck; and to implement flexible, evidence-based approaches to deal more effectively with doubt and its associated challenges."
--Jed Siev, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Swarthmore College

--Jed Siev, PhD

"Uncertainty is the essence of life.;Our past, our present, and the future we can't yet see are wrapped in distressful doubts. It's fine for most of us, but not for all, not always. This workbook, the result of David A. Clark's considerable clinical and research work, offers clear intervention strategies and compassionate guidance--and helps us make friends with uncertainty and debilitating, unhealthy, unhelpful, uncontrollable, and mind-polluting doubts and indecisiveness."
--Gregoris Simos, MD, PhD, professor of psychopathology at the University of Macedonia, and member of the Beck Institute International Advisory Committee

--Gregoris Simos, MD, PhD

"Written by one of the world's leading experts in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), this helpful workbook thoughtfully describes doubt and indecisiveness, and how to put science-driven tools to work to overcome what can often be incredibly debilitating--the struggle with not being sure. The book contains examples, worksheets, tips, and strategies, and is likely to be most useful to those seeking relief from their own doubts across a range of domains."
--Adam S. Radomsky, PhD, professor of psychology at Concordia University, director of the Anxiety and OCD Laboratory, and founding president of the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies

--Adam S. Radomsky, PhD

About the Author

David A. Clark, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, and professor emeritus at the University of New Brunswick in Canada. He is author of several books on depression and anxiety, including Overcoming Obsessive Thoughts, The Anxiety and Worry Workbook, The Anxious Thoughts Workbook, The Negative Thoughts Workbook, and his most recent publication, This Is What Anxiety Looks Like. He has coauthored several books with the pioneer of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Aaron T. Beck, including Cognitive Therapy for Anxiety Disorders.

Foreword writer Robert L. Leahy, PhD, is author or editor of several books, including If Only...: Finding Freedom from Regret, The Worry Cure, and The Jealousy Cure. He is director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy in New York, NY, and clinical professor of psychology at Weill Cornell Medical College.