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Hijacked by Your Brain: How to Free Yourself When Stress Takes Over
From an expert in traumatic stress disorders, HIJACKED BY YOUR BRAIN reveals a groundbreaking way to help our brains deal with the stress of life. Filing a gap on shelf, this book explains what's happening in the brain when the emotions take over, and it shows how a simple, practical approach to focusing the mind can provide the solution when all the coping skills in the world don't help. We can adjust the part of the brain that triggers an alarm state so that it reacts the way we want it to. We can't stop stress, but we can control the effect stress has on us.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
143 people are currently reading
828 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 28, 2014
This book contains VERY GOOD information about how to deal with stress, and tips on how to lead a well regulated life. The author thought the information was good too... enough so that it was stated three times. Hence the three star rating. The information is worth five stars. Then I deducted a star for the second time he repeated the information. The next star was deducted when he nuanced his repeat to give us a third go-round.
I think Dr. Ford faced two obstacles in his cycle of repetition. One, while the information is really good, it wasn't enough to fill out a book and have it marketed at book prices, so some content padding was needed. Second, Dr. Ford got really excited about the acronym F.R.E.E.D.O.M. - where each letter starts the beginning of a stage you need to go through in order to be stress free. Well, in order to get it to work, he really had to stretch his vocabulary, and basically repeated the same information/step a second time with a slightly altered word meaning, in order to fill out the acronym (and in the process give those extra chapters to the book).
Was it worth the time to read? Very much so. I am taking away some good pointers that will improve my life. Could you have read all the pertinent data in half the time without all the added filler? Pretty close -
I think Dr. Ford faced two obstacles in his cycle of repetition. One, while the information is really good, it wasn't enough to fill out a book and have it marketed at book prices, so some content padding was needed. Second, Dr. Ford got really excited about the acronym F.R.E.E.D.O.M. - where each letter starts the beginning of a stage you need to go through in order to be stress free. Well, in order to get it to work, he really had to stretch his vocabulary, and basically repeated the same information/step a second time with a slightly altered word meaning, in order to fill out the acronym (and in the process give those extra chapters to the book).
Was it worth the time to read? Very much so. I am taking away some good pointers that will improve my life. Could you have read all the pertinent data in half the time without all the added filler? Pretty close -
October 6, 2013
Excellent book for self study, though for those who have deep scars and trauma,and very difficult situations, professional counseling would help get you started in the right direction and connect with a person in a safe environment, then this book would help those able to go to the next level based on the latest brain science.It was very interesting and easy to understand the brain complexities.
October 12, 2013
As a sufferer from multiple anxiety disorders myself, when I first came across this book, I thought it was exactly what I needed. Of course I would quickly find myself to be wrong. This book presents some decent ideas, certainly at the beginning, but it reads like an oversize pamphlet you would pick up at a therapist's office. The whole book seems to be almost an advertisement for a new way of thinking that ends up translating to a drawn-out explanation for asinine acronyms with names such as "FREEDOM" and "SOS." What could have easily been accomplished in the space of a self-help pamphlet is here dragged out to over 200 pages. I do think this book was written with a pure goal in mind to help people who suffer from paralyzing & debilitating anxiety. However the advice given herein isn't even very helpful; certainly not worth the time it takes to slog through this very condescending & boring text.
August 15, 2013
When I first started reading this book I fell asleep, then about a week later I had a very high stress day. I grabbed the book perusing it hoping I could find something that would help me steady myself. I did and the book helped a lot. I have since read the parts previously missed and made some notes to reference when needed in the future. There is solid and useful information in this book.
November 19, 2018
I consider myself lucky to be able to meet this book in small library out of nowhere. I was just picking books and I stumbled with this gem!
Now this book wasn’t new nor popular (as far as I am aware of), but this is the best book I have ever read about mindset and stress management!
There are two kinds of books. One that is easy to digest but usually had no substantial content. While the other end is one that is full of information yet can’t be digested due to difficult language and explanations. This book? It took the best of both worlds. Well accomplished!
It started with this main idea: Alarms and Learning Center. The first is the cause of our stress yet it is not bad: it’s an important part of our brain that keep us alive! But when it gone awry (which most likely it will), it became a disadvantage to us. This where the Learning Center takes the center (it should ideally). The learning center enables us to focus and therefore we could feel personal control.
But then the main goal wouldn’t be replacing alarm with learning center. Instead to make a partnership out it! It is called the optimal brain. The idea is we need to balance the need for survival (alarm) and our need for meaningful life (learning center). Only when we achieved this do our life feel satisfying.
This books full with simple and continuous method of how to get there. To be exact: to be in the journey. Since happiness is the journey not the end itself. One of them are FREEDOM (which is an acronym for things that will be explained in the book) and also SOS.
I would commend the authors of the book for putting such valuable informations into this short book (considered short for the impact that it imparted for my life) and in such lovely language (no high-heavens terms that you could not understand). I could feel the sincerity and love of the authors for people suffers from depression just from reading this book.
I couldn’t say thank you enough for the kindness.
Totally recommend this book.
Now this book wasn’t new nor popular (as far as I am aware of), but this is the best book I have ever read about mindset and stress management!
There are two kinds of books. One that is easy to digest but usually had no substantial content. While the other end is one that is full of information yet can’t be digested due to difficult language and explanations. This book? It took the best of both worlds. Well accomplished!
It started with this main idea: Alarms and Learning Center. The first is the cause of our stress yet it is not bad: it’s an important part of our brain that keep us alive! But when it gone awry (which most likely it will), it became a disadvantage to us. This where the Learning Center takes the center (it should ideally). The learning center enables us to focus and therefore we could feel personal control.
But then the main goal wouldn’t be replacing alarm with learning center. Instead to make a partnership out it! It is called the optimal brain. The idea is we need to balance the need for survival (alarm) and our need for meaningful life (learning center). Only when we achieved this do our life feel satisfying.
This books full with simple and continuous method of how to get there. To be exact: to be in the journey. Since happiness is the journey not the end itself. One of them are FREEDOM (which is an acronym for things that will be explained in the book) and also SOS.
I would commend the authors of the book for putting such valuable informations into this short book (considered short for the impact that it imparted for my life) and in such lovely language (no high-heavens terms that you could not understand). I could feel the sincerity and love of the authors for people suffers from depression just from reading this book.
I couldn’t say thank you enough for the kindness.
Totally recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2023
Well interestingly enough this book hijacked my brain. Ok, not really but it was like while I was reading it, my mind would wander. Not sure if while figuring out ways to be less stressed that I would then be triggered or something. As much as I tried to focus on what the author was saying, it was just hard to connect w/ it. Every author has their own style of writing so maybe this was not one I could really understand. Some may find this book helpful & that's great, just didn't really resonate w/ me though.
April 29, 2018
Very useful and easy read
The tips and strategies in this book are extremely useful in any professional and personal situation. The strategies are very easy to put into practice right away, since our alarms get triggered in ways and in situations we may not realize the information in this book helps one recognize these for what they are and proactively (rather than reactively) manage them. Most of all these strategies really work!
The tips and strategies in this book are extremely useful in any professional and personal situation. The strategies are very easy to put into practice right away, since our alarms get triggered in ways and in situations we may not realize the information in this book helps one recognize these for what they are and proactively (rather than reactively) manage them. Most of all these strategies really work!
January 27, 2019
Hands down one of the best books I’ve ever read. This book filled me with the answers and knowledge I’ve been searching for, wondering what in the world is going on in my brain. I feel less crazy, a lot more normal, and a lot more in control of my feelings and emotions. This book is a true life saver.
June 19, 2017
Excellant book
I loved the examples they gave. How they walked you thru exercise where you could see and feel that it works. I took notes so I could quickly find the important parts.
I loved the examples they gave. How they walked you thru exercise where you could see and feel that it works. I took notes so I could quickly find the important parts.
December 28, 2019
Practical Tools
I liked the use of examples both modern and historic to show what alarms do to the brain. The tips for addressing triggers are really helpful. Any human living in our modern world would benefit from these techniques.
I liked the use of examples both modern and historic to show what alarms do to the brain. The tips for addressing triggers are really helpful. Any human living in our modern world would benefit from these techniques.
August 22, 2025
These guys seem well-meaning and I imagine their book might help some people, but I found it repetitive, poorly written, and overly stuffed with anecdotes. This should have been an article, but then people wouldn't have bought it.
September 27, 2017
Simplistic and undermined by a ridiculous need to try to shoe-horn public figures experiences into their theory (even when they don’t fit at all), yet it had some useful and usable information.
December 1, 2017
We need to be in control of our thoughts rather than the other way around. We can de-stress by stepping back from a problem and thinking clearly.
May 28, 2019
Life changing. Such a great resource in self management.
January 10, 2020
Meh. Pretty basic information. Nothing different from many other books, articles, etc. Feel like it doesn’t address people with anxiety disorders, just more day to day stress.
February 1, 2020
Good advice
I intend too read this again. The information is good and practical. I c.f.see how following this advice would make my life better.
I intend too read this again. The information is good and practical. I c.f.see how following this advice would make my life better.
January 12, 2021
I really enjoyed the information. It was very helpful and I am looking forward to applying it with the help of my clients.
April 14, 2021
Really good information presented in an accessible way. A bit repetitive at times but overall very helpful
April 6, 2013
Initial reaction: Valuable guide, but quite a bit of information to wade through to get to the better bits here. I think the authors were insightful, and provided some interesting combinations of personal experiences from everyday people, celebrities, athletes, and others who have been in many different levels of stressful situations, but at the same time, when it came down to the mental walks that they would ask the reader to take, some of them were awkward and not as applicable as they could've been.
Full review:
I read a lot of self-help, self-awareness, psychological, and fitness/wellness guides for reference. Picking up "Hijacked by Your Brain" was something I looked forward to not only for noting the scientific aspects of the brain's chemistry, but also for dealing with natural reactions of stress and how to trick your brain into working the best for your needs.
The advice, for the most part, is sound throughout this guide. They explore some of the inner workings of the brain and what goes into what happens to the human body when it's under duress. It explains "fight or flight" responses, stress as it applies when we mentally freeze up and can't function, among other things. Yet, I'll admit after a certain point I found myself struggling to maintain interest in certain turns of the work because it was trying to give too many examples and dictate to the reader how to approach recognizing responses to certain stressors. This guide probably would've been better to consolidate information and incorporate quizzes or lists for self assessment versus trying to ask the reader "Imagine if you were in a CAR ACCIDENT, what would you rate your stress level to be? This is what the scenario is. You would think..." Nah. It's a far more constructive thing for people to be able to come up with examples of their own in terms of everyday stressors and note how they react to them, not be dictated the scenario. The interaction component of this guide was sadly lacking, and I think it could've been better presented than what it was.
Another thing I thought made this book somewhat bloated were some of the odd examples they would give. I appreciated hearing the individual accounts of some everyday people in situations where their stress would occur and how they would deal with them. I also appreciated hearing about the extraordinary stressors from athletes and people who climbed Mount Everest. But then I questioned why this would include the whole Kanye West/Taylor Swift debacle as a practical example and I thought it was a bit strange for this kind of guide. I suppose it's a valid mention for someone having to step back and see something they did to be wrong, but it was still weird.
I did like the insight the guide gave on stepping back and evaluating the body's reactions and how to look for and address them. The two systems: the F.R.E.E.D.O.M and S.O.S approaches were both well noted and precise guides to aid in the mental walkthrough of what to do when stress becomes a problem in specific situations. Because positive thinking won't necessarily, by itself, help address stress reactions, addressing what causes those reactions and the need expressed in those reactions does.
Overall, I think it's worth the read for supplementary material on this topic, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a primary guide. There are others that handle the information a little better, and for those who crave a little more interaction/self-exploration rather than dictation, it would be better to look elsewhere.
Overall: 2.5/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Sourcebooks.
Full review:
I read a lot of self-help, self-awareness, psychological, and fitness/wellness guides for reference. Picking up "Hijacked by Your Brain" was something I looked forward to not only for noting the scientific aspects of the brain's chemistry, but also for dealing with natural reactions of stress and how to trick your brain into working the best for your needs.
The advice, for the most part, is sound throughout this guide. They explore some of the inner workings of the brain and what goes into what happens to the human body when it's under duress. It explains "fight or flight" responses, stress as it applies when we mentally freeze up and can't function, among other things. Yet, I'll admit after a certain point I found myself struggling to maintain interest in certain turns of the work because it was trying to give too many examples and dictate to the reader how to approach recognizing responses to certain stressors. This guide probably would've been better to consolidate information and incorporate quizzes or lists for self assessment versus trying to ask the reader "Imagine if you were in a CAR ACCIDENT, what would you rate your stress level to be? This is what the scenario is. You would think..." Nah. It's a far more constructive thing for people to be able to come up with examples of their own in terms of everyday stressors and note how they react to them, not be dictated the scenario. The interaction component of this guide was sadly lacking, and I think it could've been better presented than what it was.
Another thing I thought made this book somewhat bloated were some of the odd examples they would give. I appreciated hearing the individual accounts of some everyday people in situations where their stress would occur and how they would deal with them. I also appreciated hearing about the extraordinary stressors from athletes and people who climbed Mount Everest. But then I questioned why this would include the whole Kanye West/Taylor Swift debacle as a practical example and I thought it was a bit strange for this kind of guide. I suppose it's a valid mention for someone having to step back and see something they did to be wrong, but it was still weird.
I did like the insight the guide gave on stepping back and evaluating the body's reactions and how to look for and address them. The two systems: the F.R.E.E.D.O.M and S.O.S approaches were both well noted and precise guides to aid in the mental walkthrough of what to do when stress becomes a problem in specific situations. Because positive thinking won't necessarily, by itself, help address stress reactions, addressing what causes those reactions and the need expressed in those reactions does.
Overall, I think it's worth the read for supplementary material on this topic, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as a primary guide. There are others that handle the information a little better, and for those who crave a little more interaction/self-exploration rather than dictation, it would be better to look elsewhere.
Overall: 2.5/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Sourcebooks.
December 24, 2012
It is possible to prepare your brain to truly manage stress. And the result is well worth the effort: discovering a sense of calm and confidence that makes life ultimately worthwhile.
Strong words for an introduction and ones that will certainly grab a lot of readers. In today’s world of chaos and unpredictability our brain’s alarm center is firing at DEFCON 1 all the time. Anyone promising help in that area will get attention, which is exactly what Dr. Julian Ford and Jon Wortmann do in Hijacked by Your Brain: How to Free Yourself When Stress Takes Over. Dr. Ford is a clinical psychologist who has been studying the effects of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) on the brain’s response to stress and has now created a practice that can help the rest of us as well.
The alarm center in our brain that manages stress, the amygdala, is reactive only and, after decades of low level stress, tends to overreact to all situations. Telling yourself not to worry or to ‘get over it’ doesn’t work because the brain’s alarm system has the cognitive capabilities of a two-year-old. Empty promises only inflame the situation. The solution is to find ways to redirect and quiet the brain’s alarm which can be done by engaging its thinking center, found in the prefrontal cortex. The steps Ford and Wortmann have designed are called SOS for: Step Back, Orient, Self Check. These steps are not only preventative but also act as intervention and have been scientifically validated.
Read more of this review at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2013/0...
Strong words for an introduction and ones that will certainly grab a lot of readers. In today’s world of chaos and unpredictability our brain’s alarm center is firing at DEFCON 1 all the time. Anyone promising help in that area will get attention, which is exactly what Dr. Julian Ford and Jon Wortmann do in Hijacked by Your Brain: How to Free Yourself When Stress Takes Over. Dr. Ford is a clinical psychologist who has been studying the effects of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) on the brain’s response to stress and has now created a practice that can help the rest of us as well.
The alarm center in our brain that manages stress, the amygdala, is reactive only and, after decades of low level stress, tends to overreact to all situations. Telling yourself not to worry or to ‘get over it’ doesn’t work because the brain’s alarm system has the cognitive capabilities of a two-year-old. Empty promises only inflame the situation. The solution is to find ways to redirect and quiet the brain’s alarm which can be done by engaging its thinking center, found in the prefrontal cortex. The steps Ford and Wortmann have designed are called SOS for: Step Back, Orient, Self Check. These steps are not only preventative but also act as intervention and have been scientifically validated.
Read more of this review at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2013/0...
July 31, 2014
Excellent strategies for coping with anxiety and stress, two of my major saboteurs in living an upbeat, productive, fulfilling life. SOS :clearing the mind, orienting back to what's important, and shelf-check. Good stuff. The book gave examples of individuals using the techniques, and explained how to identify triggers and work at acknowledging them in order to overcome them. It works!
June 19, 2016
Great read to learn to reset
It's all too easy to get entwined in everyone else's stress as well as your own. This book is very helpful and practical to help you step back and learn to control the thinking part of your mind so that you don't stress as quickly and can step back to assess if there is a threat and why as perceived by your brain.
It's all too easy to get entwined in everyone else's stress as well as your own. This book is very helpful and practical to help you step back and learn to control the thinking part of your mind so that you don't stress as quickly and can step back to assess if there is a threat and why as perceived by your brain.
January 3, 2018
Nonfiction. Some good tips on how to handle stress. Stress can take us over all too easily. The author has tips on how to turn off the alarm. He has some helpful imagery in managing stress by focusing on one thing.
May 17, 2015
A great book. I am more conscious of my trigger alarm. Good to know that the alarm is my body natural survival mechanism to protect me from danger. When ever I feel anxious I know it is just my body trying to protect me.
November 29, 2012
Really found great ways to free our mind and body free from stress I found this book on www.scribd.com..loved to read
June 5, 2013
It was really good. Not excellent, but very useful. The book gives interesting ideas for managing stress. Some case studies can be found, they are useful too.
September 27, 2015
Food for thought.
May 7, 2016
This book was really tough for me to get through! I had a hard time maintaining interest in this book, and it felt drawn-out. However, it did have some good information and things to think about.
November 22, 2018
I enjoyed this book and think it has lots of great information.
I basically use similar strategies that are suggested without knowing the exact science behind it so this was enlightening. That said, my life is pretty stress free so I'm not sure how this would work with someone with high stress. How practical it is at the moment (no matter how much you practice) to make a difference.
Lots of repetition, which may be good to reinforce previous information - or may not be good if you don't care do an SOS check on your stress level every few chapters.
I basically use similar strategies that are suggested without knowing the exact science behind it so this was enlightening. That said, my life is pretty stress free so I'm not sure how this would work with someone with high stress. How practical it is at the moment (no matter how much you practice) to make a difference.
Lots of repetition, which may be good to reinforce previous information - or may not be good if you don't care do an SOS check on your stress level every few chapters.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews