Synopses & Reviews
Dealing with an anxiety disorder is hard, but loving someone with an anxiety disorder can be equally as difficult. If your partner suffers from extreme anxiety, they may have panic attacks, constantly be voicing their worried thoughts, or may not be able to participate in social events because of a fear of social settings. No matter how compassionate you are, you may sometimes feel frustrated, unable to help, and even find your own life restricted—all of which can lead to conflict, resentment, miscommunication, and ultimately, an end to the relationship altogether.
Loving Someone with Anxiety is one of the few books written specifically for the partners of people with anxiety disorders. The book is designed not only to aid you in helping your partner cope with anxiety and worry, but also to help you take care of your own needs. Inside, you’ll learn the importance of setting healthy boundaries, limiting codependent behaviors, and why taking over roles that make your partner anxious—such as answering the phone, driving, or doing the grocery shopping because your partner feels too anxious to be in public—can be extremely damaging for the both of you.
Codependency in relationships with an anxious partner can lead to resentment, anger, and a sense of helplessness on your side. This book will help you and your partner overcome these negative behaviors, build better communication and a stronger personal connection.
Written by a licensed professional counselor who specializes in helping the partners of those with mental illnesses, this book is the resource that you have been looking for to help you understand your anxious partner and keep anxiety from sabotaging your relationship.
Review
For the person whose loved one has anxiety, or for the person with anxiety himself or herself, Kate N. Thieda's book is practical and solution-oriented. Especially reassuring is that the author blames no one, nor does she claim to teach the reader how to fix anyone. She offers both understanding of the anxious behavior and tools to change one's response to it.”
Kristi Webb, PsyD, licensed psychologist, DBT therapist, and a specialist in depression, anxiety, and trauma
Review
As an anxiety disorder specialist, I frequently see my clients loved ones at their wits' endnot knowing what to do, how to help, or how to cope. If your loved one suffers from anxiety, I strongly encourage you to read this book.”
Julie Pike, PhD, licensed psychologist and expert in the treatment of anxiety disorders
Review
This is a very easy-to-read book that provides a clear understanding of the ways that anxiety affects relationships. As Kate N. Thieda points out, good communication is critical in any successful relationshipand especially one that is hampered by anxiety. This book presents readers with important information on how to use effective communication strategies and other techniques for improving relationships impacted by these problems.”
Jonathan S. Abramowitz, PhD, ABPP, professor and associate chair of psychology at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, director of the UNC Anxiety and Stress Disorders Clinic
Review
Countless clients with anxiety ask about a book that will teach their partners about anxiety and offer suggestions for how to help. At last, this is that book! With compassion and practicality, the author offers an understanding of how anxiety impacts a relationship, as well as excellent strategies for how to tackle anxiety and stay strong as a couple. This is a must-get book for anyone loving someone with anxiety.”
Annette R. Perot, PhD, licensed psychologist specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders
Review
A must-read for partners living with a love one experiencing any form of anxiety! Through both partners eyes, Thieda provides robust and engaging content on the common thought patterns, reactions, and behaviors creating anxiety, along with reflective questions, exercises, interpersonal tools, and strategies for supporting loved ones. She skillfully incorporates mindfulness strategies (including affirmation and self-care) as enhancing practices for living in the present moment, dissolving anxiety, and promoting inner calmness. Kates book is chock-full of helpful examples, insights, and resources for both partners!”
Judith C. Holder, PhD, director at Duke Occupational Mental Health Programs, leadership and life coach-consultant, and author of Mastering Lifes Adventures: On the Beam
Review
"Resources for individuals with bipolar disorder are few and far between, but those for the people who care for them are even scarcer. Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston have put together a valuable resource for families and caregivers of people with bipolar disorder. Taking a holistic perspective, these authors offer advice that will help readers help their loved ones with bipolar disorder. More importantly, this book encourages and helps readers to take good care of themselves and their relationships."
—Sheri Van Dijk, MSW, RSW, psychotherapist and author of The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder, The Bipolar Workbook for Teens, and other books
"Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston have put together an impressive second-edition guide for couples struggling with the reality of bipolar disorder. They strive to decouple the diagnosis from the individual living with it. This premise lays the groundwork for their discussion of compassionate, non-blaming communication combined with effective couples-based solutions for those striving to work through the interpersonal complexities of a relationship impacted by bipolar disorder. Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder really is a must-read for anyone who does."
—Russ Federman, PhD, ABPP, director of counseling and psychological services at the University of Virginia and author of Facing Bipolar
Review
"I am truly impressed with this wonderful book. I will have it in my office and recommend it to patients’ partners as a matter of course as they go through the journey with this illness."
—Steven Juergens, MD
Review
"More than an education about bipolar disorder, this is a welcome to the journey, in the kindest language you will find in any such book. Open to any page and you will notice the tone and wisdom of people who’ve obviously been there. It’s a challenge to maintain a relationship with someone who has this illness. You’d do well to have a guide, and you will not find any better than Julie A. Fast and John D. Preston. Nor will you find any clearer advice than that which the authors have laid out. Their book is remarkably emotionally intelligent and a privilege to read."
—James Phelps, MD, mood disorders specialist at Samaritan Mental Health in Corvallis, OR, and author of Why Am I Still Depressed?
Review
"This book will help the loved ones of people living with bipolar disorder to better understand its challenges. It provides clear, concrete ways of giving the support needed to keep their loved ones healthy and get them through the rough spots."
—Ruth White, PhD, MPH, MSW, associate professor of social work at Seattle University and author of Bipolar 101
Synopsis
Loving Someone with Anxiety offers solutions for the partners of people with anxiety issues such as constant worry, health anxiety, social anxiety, generalized panic disorder (GAD), and panic disorder. In this book, readers will learn how to help their partner feel safe, develop and maintain a strong relationship, and meet their own self-care needs.
Synopsis
Written to the partner of a bipolar individual, this book will help readers mend strained relationships, control episodic crises, learn which coping approaches work, and create loving, healthy relationships. Readers also learn how to recognize a bipolar conversation and survive the financial turbulence manic spending may cause.
Synopsis
Maintaining a relationship is hard enough without the added challenges of your partners bipolar disorder symptoms. Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder offers information and step-by-step advice for helping your partner manage mood swings and impulsive actions, allowing you to finally focus on enjoying your relationship while also taking time for yourself. This book explains the symptoms of your partners disorder and offers strategies for preventing them and responding to these symptoms when they do occur.
This updated edition includes a new section about the medications your partner may be taking so that you can understand the side effects and help monitor his or her bipolar treatment. As a supportive partner, you deserve support yourself. This book will help you create a more balanced, fulfilling relationship.
Improve your relationship by learning how to:
- Identify your partners symptom triggers so you can prevent episodes
- Improve communication by stopping irrational bipolar conversations”
- Handle your partners emotional ups and downs
- Foster closeness and connection with your partner
About the Author
John D. Preston, PsyD, ABPP, is professor emeritus at Alliant International University in Sacramento, CA, and has also served on the faculty of the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine and the Professional School of Psychology, San Francisco. He has authored twenty-one books in the areas of psychotherapy, neurobiology, and psychopharmacology, and coauthored Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Ridiculously Simple, Consumer's Guide to Psychiatric Drugs, and Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists. Preston is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and has lectured internationally.