Worry

by Edward M. Hallowell

From the co-author of the best-selling Driven to Distraction, here is the first book to focus on the many forms of worry (both destructive and productive), their underlying causes, and how these patterns of thought and behavior can be changed.

Worry consumes time and energy, too often isolates us from friends and family, and prevents us from solving the real problems that are behind the act of worrying.  Dr. Edward M. Hallowell makes clear the crucial distinctions among the various forms of worry, showing which are protective and productive, which handicap achievement and pleasure, and which seriously threaten physical health and mental balance.  He explains which forms of worry are rooted in inborn predispositions, which arise from misguided attempts to cope with the stresses of daily life, and which are symptomatic of other problems, such as depression or attention deficit disorder.  In each case he maps out the most effective strategies for change--psychotherapy, medication, innovative methods of retraining the brain--many of which the chronic worrier can pursue on his or her own.

Filled with illuminating case histories, anecdotes, and practical guidance, this is an invaluable aid to understanding and coping with one of the most common and debilitating but least understood states of mind.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help, Health, Science, Audiobook, Adhd

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Edward (Ned) Hallowell, M.D., is a child and adult psychiatrist, a NY Times bestselling author, a world-renowned speaker and a leading authority in the field of ADHD. He has authored twenty books including the 1994 ground-breaking New York Times best-seller on ADHD, Driven to Distraction. In aggregate, Dr. Hallowell's books have sold more than 2 million copies on various psychological topics including how to: raise children into happy adults, manage worry, develop focus, forgiveness, connecting on a deeper level and how to inspire the best from employees. His most recent book was his Memoir, Because I Come From A Crazy Family The Making Of A Psychiatrist. His next book, ADHD 2.0 releases on January 12, 2021. Pre-order your copy today.

He is the host of “Distraction,” a weekly podcast that offers insights, strategies and tactics for coping and thriving in this crazy-busy, 24/7 over-connected modern world.

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book a few months ago when my neighbor was moving. He put stuff out on the stoop; I scooped this up immediately as I was going through some tough times at that point.

Dr. Hallowell is a great writer. He offers insight, tips, anecdotes/case references from his own practice, and lots of scientific information--without the reader getting lost in medical jargon. I imagine it would be kind of hard for a professional to tone down jargon, especially when it comes to doctors. But Dr. Hallowell does a great job with his very inclusive, calming voice. He also depicts himself as human, using examples of himself when he's worried to make him more relatable, and trustworthy as an author.

There's a chapter for almost every kind of worrying I could think of, and even little quiz to find out what kind of worrier you are :)

[pri · Rating 4 out of 5]

the best book about anxiety i've read so far. compassionate writing and approach with simple guidelines and suggestions. not life altering - but very supportive.

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a waste of time and effort is worry. Dr. Hallowell's book does a great job of putting worry into perspective and also offers valuable tools to overcoming this wasteful habit.

[Laurie Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a therapist in my early 20s, after I experienced a series of panic attacks. I highly recommend.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful book. This author has never written anything but the best information.

[Rose Crawley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is an older educational, self-help book. I found this book in my dad’s book shelf a few months back and found out it was borrowed by him from my grandpa which both have read and enjoyed.
It’s writing is easy to understand & would be a great book for people who want an introduction in what life can be like for those who have a mental illness or want to learn about different conditions and methods of treatment. Dr. Halloway uses real stories about patients he has helped and you can tell he cares about his job as a psychologist. He makes sure the reader/ sufferer or not, knows that mental illness is not any persons fault, it is something that happens with brain chemistry. An elegant, easy to understand helpful book that I would recommend to anyone!

[Lora Shouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worry was a very good book about (wait for it) … Worry. There was, of course, some of the expected stuff I already knew about worry – how debilitating it can be in its worst forms and how common it is. But there were also some good strategies for dealing with worry, and some enlightening information about how worry is linked with other psychological problems which may make it worse or more difficult to deal with. As with many books dealing with psychological issues, there was information on when to seek psychiatric help, possibly including drug therapy, and when and how to work at reducing, or using your worry, on your own.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very long but for me it was fascinating because I was in the midst of a bit of a mental breakdown. It gave me great insight into what was going on in my brain and what I needed to do to get help. I was able to explain my symptoms more clearly to the doctor also because of what I learned in this book and it gave me fantastic strategies for getting back on solid ground and staying there.

[Maryann Moffit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy I read this.

I am a chronic worrier, particularly enjoyed the section on GAD. GIVES me some hope for the future. Definitely want to read more.

[Celia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish it had more information about GAD.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book helpful, even if it depressed me along the way (I knew I worried a lot, but I was surprised that I identified with every kind of worry in the book except paranoia). This book helped me realize that stuff I consider "crazy" about myself (like the fact that I often tell myself out loud, "Lisa, you're doing fine") might just be coping strategies for handling so much worry. Worriers need lots of reassurance, and since I spend so much time alone, it makes sense that I'd feel the need to reassure myself.

Yay for a book that makes me feel a tiny bit less crazy!

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It gives great examples of worry and scenarios. It made me feel less alone in what I think of as my paranoid worries, but actually are more common then previously thought. It also has lots of practical advice. Including a how much of a worrier are you test, which is interesting. As a actual doctor, he also goes over all the clinical worry disorders with lots of examples and plans to overcome them.

[Aubrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for some new or different ideas about controlling worry/anxiety in this book, but it was mostly reminders of all the stuff I already know, but am terrible at implementing day by day in my life.

However, he did have some good reminders of the importance of faith in God and daily/constant prayer AND good analogies to help me remember what I can and can't control in my life and how to notice when I'm starting to stress over what I can't control.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written for the most part, though his patient conversation scenes were awkward and contrived. The info contained is likely a bit dated, as the book is 15+ years old, but the overall point that worry is a medically treatable condition is still valid.

[Elyse P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but not life-changing. An easy read. Some of the client case stories were interesting, and the section at the end containing tips was helpful. I already knew a lot of the information he presented, but it was a nice reinforcement.

[Betsy Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helped me through my first month of a challenging new job. Left me with techniques to get me through the next five years!

[Jenna Costin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed parts of this book and learned more about ways to worry productively vs. unproductively. It was a little dry and dated though, so it took me a while to complete reading it.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

He writes well and I've read many of his books. I find that they are full of examples that don't apply to me so I really don't gain anything, though.

[Wendy Grover Rebmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis of productive versus unproductive worry.

[J. B. Rainsberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offered some useful, practical advice, and I particularly like the positive portrayal of medication as a part of dealing with worry. I would have preferred a little less religious faith content, but I could always replace that with a more secular notion of letting go and trusting in myself.

I noticed some overlap between this and _Lost Connections_, and so would recommend reading them both close together.