Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety: A Guide to Successful Stress Management

by Nick Dubin, Dr Valerie Gaus (Foreword)

Many people suffer from feelings of stress and anxiety in their everyday lives. For people with Asperger Syndrome (AS), this stress can be particularly difficult to manage. On a daily basis people with AS must fit into a world that seems totally foreign to them and this can increase feelings of alienation and anxiety, making life's challenges especially hard to cope with.The first book on anxiety written specifically for adults with Asperger Syndrome, this book offers practical advice on how individuals with AS can manage their anxiety more effectively. As a person with AS who has struggled with feelings of anxiety and learnt how to overcome them, Nick Dubin shares his own tried and tested solutions along with up-to-date research on stress management for individuals with AS, including a chapter on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Dubin explores the key problem areas that can lead to anxiety for people with AS such as lack of social skills, difficulties establishing romantic relationships and uncertainty about employment.Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety provides real solutions to a common problem and is essential reading for anyone with AS who has trouble managing stress. The book will also be of interest to family members, teachers and other professionals working with individuals with AS.(P)2017 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Genres: Psychology, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Aspergers

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2009

Reviews

[Particle_Person · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good ideas and a lot of religious New Age garbage. This author has an annoying tendency to quote people like Deepak Chopra who market pseudoscience for money. I also had major philosophical issues with his suggestion to throw out any core belief that fails a cost/benefit analysis, EVEN IF IT IS TRUE. Sometimes things that are true are also depressing and don't improve our state of mind, but that doesn't mean we should choose not to believe them!

[David Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could be about me! As someone who has spent most of my adult life trying to figure out why so many work and social situations that should be straightforward seem to utterly confound me I was keen to investigate the possibility that I may have a condition on the autistic spectrum or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The big advantage of this book is that the author, in addition to holding degrees in Learning Disabilities and Psychology, is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. Many of the examples in the book are his own first hand experiences of not getting it quite right in the workplace, socially and on the dating scene. There is a good section on the origins and causes of anxiety. There is little explanation of what causes aspergers syndrome, but this is reflective of the currently limited body of knowledge on what causes ASD's. There are chapters on Mindfulness and Congnitive Behavioural Therapy which are tailored towards the anxiety that comes with Asperger Syndrome and so build upon what I have read in more general books on these two subjects and there is also an intriguing chapter on Spirituality which by the author's own admission is less scientifically rigourous than the rest of the book; take it or leave it. All in all this is a warmly written book that encourages those of us who seem to come at the world from a slightly different angle to the average person on the street.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by/for folks with Aspergers. It’s full of useful insight into how much work neurodivergents do to just navigate day to day life. The audiobook book is done well, but for me this kind of content is better suited to a physical book that I can use like a textbook. I’m going to get a hard copy before I try the exercises.

But it had a lot of good insight and helpful ideas. Definitely worth a read.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book can be informative for those newly diagnosed with Asperger's (in the teen-adult range) and for those who want to get a more in-depth understanding of somebody close to them who has Asperger's and suffer from anxiety. If somebody is in want or need of help, with the use of CBT-training mentioned in the book, they can work it together. (Imagine learning first how to ride a bicycle, you have the standard training wheels but you also have someone by your side coaching you through the experience.)


Personally, I found that the chapters did not expand on the topics, they merely gave you an introduction. And a lot of the later chapters didn't apply to me (marriage, work/school, CBT-training and picking a psychiatrist) because I've already gone through the process or the method doesn't exist in my country.

However, I think the chapter on picking a psychiatrist is a vital reminder to anybody whether you're new or old in the game of therapy. I've had a slew of different helpers in my time and it's good to know that you don't have to settle with one that isn't helping you simply because they are a convenient choice. Sadly, I do realise that this isn't an easy option for everybody, so if you do not match, it is not your fault!


One thing I didn't much care for was how the author talked at-length about himself. Other people might like this, as it would give you a bonding experience, but I'm not a person who does.


Overall, it's a good read, good advice and gives you the knowledge that you're not alone.

[Aras · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very helpful. Sort of a cut-and-paste grab-bag of various trendy psychological theories better explained elsewhere. The author puts a heavy emphasis on being 'rational' and on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, but that's the sort of thing that only works for you if it works for you. A lot of the suggestions would probably make someone even more alienated and divorced from their emotional self.

[VJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reference.

[Is Jem · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this - it was much more interesting than I thought it’d be, even the parts about just anxiety. I feel like I learned quite a lot in terms of how and why the two intersect, and about the science of flight or fight in relation to anxiety. Really good to know how perfectionism and all or nothing thinking is something that many people on the spectrum experience.

In terms of the author’s style - I loved that ii is #ownvoices. I also appreciated how open and genuine he was.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent book. It's obvious he knows his stuff, but it doesn't feel technical or difficult to read. It also comes at the topic from a lot of different directions, so there are some interesting bits that I hadn't considered before. He really breaks it downs, addressing, of course, the Asperger population particularly, though I think it probably applies to most other people too. He helps clarify where anxiety comes from, and gives concrete techniques to help you gain control over it.

[Sortal · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and barely managed to finish it. It feels like a mish mash of other people's ideas, including a lot of basic psychology with some sketchy new age sources mixed in. Towards the end, Dubin refers directly to the reader, e.g. "You have experienced..." and makes some sweeping generalisations. Not every autistic has been mercilessly bullied and not every autistic will benefit from Dubin's way of thinking. I certainly didn't.

[Steve.W · Rating 4 out of 5]

worth most aspies to read. some concept to get such people be aware of the very important thing to cause indivisual's anxiety, cbt trully helps somehow even to NT people.

[Jarrod · Rating 2 out of 5]

Isn't really helpful just tells you what you already know

[Chuck Moreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed my life.

[Barrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to Asperger Syndrome. Highly recommended for anyone who has recently been diagnosed with it, or any parents whose child has been diagnosed with it.

[Doran Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in the last year. My
wife and I suspected she had this condition for a while, but it took a few
visits to a psychiatrist before she was officially diagnosed. Upon the
diagnosis, we started looking for more information. In looking online at
various sites and discussion forums, I found several people -- mainly
aspies, others who were also afflicted with AS -- endorsing a book titled
Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety: A Guide to Successful Stress Management by Nick Dubin. So, I ordered it.

The more we have learned about AS, the more we've begun to believe that I
also have the condition. Knowing that I may have Asperger's Syndrome seems
to be of limited usefulness to me now in my adulthood, but as I learn more,
it definitely resonates with many of my experiences.

Nick Dubin is an aspie who has studied psychology and learning
disabilities. Realizing that anxiety was a major component for many who
live with Asperger's Syndrome, he wrote this book as a self-help tool and
an entry point for those learning to better understand their unique
condition and how it relates to anxiety and stress management.

I am fortunate that I was exposed to a few different good stress management
techniques in my youth, but stress and anxiety still play a big role in my
life. Considering that I am probably living with Asperger's Syndrome, many
of my anxieties make more sense. For example, multitasking. I am easily
overwhelmed by long lists of tasks to be completed. In many cases,
overwhelmed to the point of giving up altogether.

Of course, the first step in making changes to improve your life or to
overcome any challenge is admitting its existence. So, there's one step
down!

Dubin's book is very good and for someone who is trying to make sense of a
fresh diagnosis of AS, this book is valuable. We bought the book with hopes
it could help our daughter with understanding her condition, but it's
definitely targeted at adults or, at least, high school age young adults.
It may come in handy for our daughter in a few years, but in the meantime,
we'll use it as background support for her.

The portion of this book that had the biggest impact on me was Dubin's
in-depth discussion of cognitive distortions and false schemas, how they
affect many with Asperger's Syndrome, and how "mindfulness" can play an
important role in identifying and coping with them.

[Barak · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK, in the sense that some people may get help or motivation from it, and some others may come to relate to people with Asperger Syndrome more civilly.

In the final analysis, though, it is a self-help/motivational book, and unfortunately my tolerance for these is not too high. I cannot claim they will not motivate people to help themselves, but for a sceptic like myself they are no help at all.

Complement it with the fact that there are ~4 linguistic errors I encountered (in an extremely tired and non-rigorous form of reading) in each chapter and that the last two chapters comprise of mainly esoteric mumbo-jumbo, the second star here is purely given for the intentions, potential, and last but not least for my feeling that it contributed to my wife having higher tolerance for some of my somewhat idiosyncratic behaviour.

[Sonia Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read this all the way through.

I like the fact that it's written by someone with Asperger's Syndrome. As someone with the condition myself, I always enjoy reading of others experiences and what advice they have.

Some parts of the book are more useful than others, but overall a decent read.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am learning "what" drives me, my frustrations, and my anxiety....now, as I delve further into the book, I hope to discover how to turn off those problems when dealing with others, especailly with my wife.

The book not only speaks "TO" us, but AS one of us. It is excellent so far.

[Tobey Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book was a good overview of anxiety in the autistic mind, and explains why more anxiety exists without going into useful management techniques; instead relying on the 'knowing the cause is the cure' bit. It did not give me any useful information at all regarding management of anxiety.

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I already knew most of the information in this book, but it would be good for someone less knowledgeable about either autism or anxiety.

[Patricia]

Picked up this book after taking a couple of online assessments to see if I was borderline Asperger's and scored very high on both of them. Hmmm...

[Hollybrimholly · Rating 1 out of 5]

snOOOzer!

[Bob Hanks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a great help

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked that this was actually written by a person with AS. It was a book I ended up making some notes while reading because of the information it contained.

[D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful and concise. We need more autistic people writing for the autistic community.

[Freder · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an adult who only recently discovered that I have AS, I found this very helpful and eye-opening.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most helpful anxiety book I have, and surely will revisit. Aspie or not, it's well organized and has a good tone. I appreciate the way the last chapter was tackled.

[Sharon Wickiewicz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whenever I read an AS book I always have very high hopes and so far have always then been disappointed. Same with this one.

[Markpererin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were elements that offered a lot of insight and I highlighted a lot so that I can go back and review the significant sections. Some parts were simply not relevant to my needs.

[DW Rowlands · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to admit that there were some things about this book I appreciated, in particular the relatively detailed walk-through of cognitive behavioral therapy. That said, the second half of the book seemed like an increasingly New-Age pile of nonsense, which made it hard for me to take the first-half seriously.

Also, Dubin seems to be quite fond of including lots of hypothetical example stories about fictional people, something that I always find quite annoying for some reason.

[Nick Alden · Rating 5 out of 5]

An invaluable guide for people on the spectrum. I can't recommend this book enough.