Synopses & Reviews
Do you suffer from panic, anxiety, and fear in your day-to-day life? Do you often avoid social situations, activities like driving, or even going to the store because of a fear of being overwhelmed or triggering a panic attack? You might be interested to know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States.
In Anxiety and Avoidance, psychologist and anxiety disorder expert Michael Tompkins presents a universal protocol to help you cope with anxiety, panic, and fear, regardless of your particular mental health diagnosis. This universal protocol is based on David H. Barlow's "unified protocol," and is a cognitive behavioral approach. Tompkins also draws on mindfulness-based therapies such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) that have been used successfully in the treatment of anxiety disorders for years.
The book includes present-moment awareness (mindfulness) techniques, motivational tools for overcoming experiential avoidance, and cognitive tools for reframing anxiety and fear. In addition, you will learn how to use your personal values as a vehicle for lasting change. While most anxiety treatments have focused on symptom reduction, this book teaches you the skills needed to better handle the underlying emotional reactions that lead to anxiety and panic in the first place.
If you are ready to stop avoiding situations that cause you to panic and get back to living a full life, this book is a powerful resource that can help you make a lasting change using an innovative, transdiagnostic approach.
Review
"Tompkins has made a significant contribution to the anxiety self-help literature. His work integrates elements from several established cognitive and behavioral therapies and appropriately reflects the field's growing emphasis on producing a single, unified approach to all anxiety disorders. Most importantly, Tompkins has translated complex terms and concepts into a language that can be readily grasped by consumers. Individuals with a variety of disabling fears should benefit greatly from this user-friendly resource." C. Alec Pollard, PhD, director at the Center for OCD and Anxiety-Related Disorders, Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute, and professor of family and community medicine, Saint Louis University
Review
"Many of us have a tendency to avoid people and situations we find unpleasant and/or emotions and bodily sensations we find distressing. These habits of avoidance can inadvertently create many problems for us, contributing to negative vicious cycles, including escalations in anxiety and fluctuations in our mood. This incredible and most practical book helps us all to develop healthier habits and overcome avoidance, improve our motivation and more clearly identify our goals and values. By using the skills Tompkins provides, we can step out of the small box that many of us live in and enjoy living the biggest and fullest versions of our lives." Allison G. Harvey, PhD, professor of psychology and director of The Golden Bear Sleep and Mood Research Clinic, University of California
Review
"Anxiety and Avoidance is an excellent guide for anyone who is anxious. Filled with self-help forms and useful tools, readers can readily find relief by following this guide. Highly recommended." Robert L. Leahy, PhD, director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, New York, and distinguished founding fellow and diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy
Review
"In Anxiety and Avoidance, Tompkins describes tools and concepts for overcoming anxiety that are based on the latest scientific developments in the field, and on his many years of clinical experience working with adults, teens, and children suffering from anxiety's debilitating effects. Tompkins' deep understanding of anxiety and its effective treatment shines through on every page." Jacqueline B. Persons, PhD, director of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy and clinical professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley
About the Author
Michael A. Tompkins, PhD, is founding partner of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy, Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, and assistant clinical professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of five books, including OCD: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (New Harbinger, 2012) and Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring (with Tamara L. Hartl) (New Harbinger, 2009).