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The Gift of Anxiety: Harnessing the EASE Method to Turn Stuck Anxiety into Your Greatest Ally
Your anxiety has an important message for you. Are you listening?
The mistake most people make with anxiety is trying everything in their power to get rid of it. They may try meditation and breathwork, medication or therapy. The aim is almost always the to get rid of anxiety because “anxiety is the problem.”
But anxiety is not the problem.
In fact, anxiety is a necessary and useful emotional response that has played a critical role in our survival for millions of years. Unfortunately, most of us have not been taught what to do with anxiety when it becomes loud and intrusive. So we become afraid of it and view anxiety as a problem we want to solve once and for all.
But getting rid of anxiety is impossible because it’s a natural emotional response. And trying to get rid of it only causes more anxiety because the more we fear anxiety, the more we feel it, until we become anxious about being anxious.
Anxiety comes to use when it has an important message. It is our internal alarm system for potential threats in life. It is designed to keep you safe and alert you to areas of your life that need attention. But when you treat anxiety like it is the problem without paying attention to its message for you, the deeper problems remain, and anxiety only gets louder.
In The Gift of Anxiety, clinical psychologist Diante Fuchs offers a new way to respond to anxiety. Sharing the unique EASE Method for working with anxiety, the book offers a powerful, calm approach that has helped hundreds of people transform their relationship with anxiety and with themselves. With this step-by-step guidance anyone can learn to how to stop fighting anxiety, listen to it, and use it as the gift it truly is.
This book is specifically designed to help those suffering from anxiety find peace one simple step at a time.
In this book you will
The difference between ordinary anxiety and stuck anxietyWhy some people struggle with stuck anxiety and others don’tHow anxiety becomes stuck and how to get yourself unstuckThe messages anxiety has for you and how to listen to themHow to respond to anxiety in a way that calms it downHow anxiety can be a gift that serves you in creating a happier, healthier, more peaceful life
The mistake most people make with anxiety is trying everything in their power to get rid of it. They may try meditation and breathwork, medication or therapy. The aim is almost always the to get rid of anxiety because “anxiety is the problem.”
But anxiety is not the problem.
In fact, anxiety is a necessary and useful emotional response that has played a critical role in our survival for millions of years. Unfortunately, most of us have not been taught what to do with anxiety when it becomes loud and intrusive. So we become afraid of it and view anxiety as a problem we want to solve once and for all.
But getting rid of anxiety is impossible because it’s a natural emotional response. And trying to get rid of it only causes more anxiety because the more we fear anxiety, the more we feel it, until we become anxious about being anxious.
Anxiety comes to use when it has an important message. It is our internal alarm system for potential threats in life. It is designed to keep you safe and alert you to areas of your life that need attention. But when you treat anxiety like it is the problem without paying attention to its message for you, the deeper problems remain, and anxiety only gets louder.
In The Gift of Anxiety, clinical psychologist Diante Fuchs offers a new way to respond to anxiety. Sharing the unique EASE Method for working with anxiety, the book offers a powerful, calm approach that has helped hundreds of people transform their relationship with anxiety and with themselves. With this step-by-step guidance anyone can learn to how to stop fighting anxiety, listen to it, and use it as the gift it truly is.
This book is specifically designed to help those suffering from anxiety find peace one simple step at a time.
In this book you will
The difference between ordinary anxiety and stuck anxietyWhy some people struggle with stuck anxiety and others don’tHow anxiety becomes stuck and how to get yourself unstuckThe messages anxiety has for you and how to listen to themHow to respond to anxiety in a way that calms it downHow anxiety can be a gift that serves you in creating a happier, healthier, more peaceful life
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2024
20 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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July 24, 2024
The author opines that some of the conditions labeled mental illness would be better referred to as stuck emotions, affecting “anyone who has not been able to fully feel their feelings or process their emotional experiences.” Fuchs discusses the four phases of stuck anxiety: fear and overwhelm, rejecting anxiety, hypervigilance, and avoidance. She recommends the E.A.S.E. approach to anxiety (empower, accept, shift, engage). Maybe this has helped her clients in person, but unfortunately I found the writing style disappointingly dull and wordy and the examples difficult to relate to. I received an advance copy for Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2024
An incredibly helpful resource for learning to think about and manage anxiety in a completely new way. Recommended!
August 26, 2024
I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
When I saw this one on Netgalley the title caught my eye and I admit to being pretty skeptical. I definitely do not see anxiety as a gift, but that skepticism was also what made me curious. I had to know why the author thought anxiety was a gift and figured if nothing else it would have some new information about anxiety and ideas on how to handle it.
Knowing I am neurodivergent meant I couldn't relate to all of it, but I figured I could make adjustments myself for the bits that didn't work. And that turned to be the case indeed, but it did help me identify which types of anxiety this book was talking about and what came more from me being neurodivergent or sensory dread.
I ended up being really glad I picked this one up. It was a great read with lots of information about anxiety. And most important for me, it got me thinking about anxiety and dealing with it in a different way. I really like the way the author advocates for feeling our emotions and how emotions have a role. The way she talked about anxiety having a goal, namely to keep you safe and how anxiety could stem from different sources gave me a new way of thinking about my anxiety. I was able to identify where some of my anxiety came from as well as understand it better and what it was trying to make me hear.
I can definitely recommend this book for those who struggle with anxiety. It is a different approach than what I've read and heard of before, although there are also parts that overlap with things I already knew like the mindfulness techniques like the body scan for example. This book really resonated with me and fit into my current state of mind where I am trying to be more accepting of my emotions and gave me more tools and information on how to do this. This is definitely a book I plan to re-read.
To summarize: I picked this book up with some skepticism and curious why the author thinks anxiety is a gift and ended up being really happy I picked this one up. This book helped me think about anxiety in a different way and it was very helpful and informative. I like the way the author talks about emotions. There is some great information about anxiety and how to accept it and listen to it. All in all I can definitely recommend this one. It might not resonate with everyone, but it certainly resonated with me and I am glad I read it.
When I saw this one on Netgalley the title caught my eye and I admit to being pretty skeptical. I definitely do not see anxiety as a gift, but that skepticism was also what made me curious. I had to know why the author thought anxiety was a gift and figured if nothing else it would have some new information about anxiety and ideas on how to handle it.
Knowing I am neurodivergent meant I couldn't relate to all of it, but I figured I could make adjustments myself for the bits that didn't work. And that turned to be the case indeed, but it did help me identify which types of anxiety this book was talking about and what came more from me being neurodivergent or sensory dread.
I ended up being really glad I picked this one up. It was a great read with lots of information about anxiety. And most important for me, it got me thinking about anxiety and dealing with it in a different way. I really like the way the author advocates for feeling our emotions and how emotions have a role. The way she talked about anxiety having a goal, namely to keep you safe and how anxiety could stem from different sources gave me a new way of thinking about my anxiety. I was able to identify where some of my anxiety came from as well as understand it better and what it was trying to make me hear.
I can definitely recommend this book for those who struggle with anxiety. It is a different approach than what I've read and heard of before, although there are also parts that overlap with things I already knew like the mindfulness techniques like the body scan for example. This book really resonated with me and fit into my current state of mind where I am trying to be more accepting of my emotions and gave me more tools and information on how to do this. This is definitely a book I plan to re-read.
To summarize: I picked this book up with some skepticism and curious why the author thinks anxiety is a gift and ended up being really happy I picked this one up. This book helped me think about anxiety in a different way and it was very helpful and informative. I like the way the author talks about emotions. There is some great information about anxiety and how to accept it and listen to it. All in all I can definitely recommend this one. It might not resonate with everyone, but it certainly resonated with me and I am glad I read it.
September 9, 2024
Diante Fuchs' *The Gift of Anxiety* challenges the common perception that anxiety is an enemy to be eliminated. Rather than treating anxiety as a problem, Fuchs reframes it as a natural and necessary response that holds profound wisdom if we are willing to listen. With a compassionate and informed voice, she offers readers an empowering alternative to the traditional approach of resisting and suppressing anxiety.
One of the key takeaways from the book is the distinction between "ordinary anxiety" and "stuck anxiety." Fuchs explores why some people get trapped in chronic anxiety while others do not. This understanding is essential because it helps us recognize that anxiety, when it becomes overwhelming or persistent, is not something to be feared, but rather a sign that there are deeper issues in need of attention. It’s a novel perspective that pushes back against the cultural narrative that anxiety must be eradicated.
The heart of Fuchs' message lies in her *EASE Method*, a practical approach to managing anxiety. This method doesn't promise to eliminate anxiety but teaches how to work with it, reduce its intensity, and transform one’s relationship with it. By following this step-by-step process, Fuchs suggests that readers can learn to stop fighting anxiety and instead embrace it as a guide that reveals unmet needs and unresolved issues. Through this lens, anxiety becomes a messenger, not a threat.
The strength of *The Gift of Anxiety* is its accessibility. Fuchs’ writing is clear and direct, making complex psychological ideas easy to grasp. Her tone is empathetic, which makes the book especially appealing for those who feel misunderstood or trapped in their own anxious thoughts. The reader is not only educated about the science behind anxiety but is also guided through actionable strategies to manage it. This balance of theory and practice makes the book both insightful and useful.
In particular, the book shines when it discusses how resisting anxiety only amplifies it. Fuchs explains that trying to get rid of anxiety can lead to a vicious cycle where we become anxious about feeling anxious, which only worsens the experience. Her approach, in contrast, is calming and encourages mindfulness—teaching readers how to listen to anxiety’s messages without panic.
This book is a valuable resource for anyone who struggles with anxiety and feels stuck in their efforts to control or diminish it. The idea that anxiety can actually be a gift, one that helps lead to greater emotional awareness and a more peaceful life, is not only refreshing but transformative. Fuchs' approach gives hope to those who have tried various methods—such as meditation, therapy, or medication—without success, by shifting the focus from elimination to understanding and growth.
In conclusion, *The Gift of Anxiety* is more than just a self-help book; it’s a guide to self-acceptance and a deeper understanding of one’s emotional landscape. Fuchs offers a unique perspective that turns a seemingly negative emotion into an opportunity for healing and self-discovery. By learning to work with anxiety rather than against it, readers may find the peace they’ve been seeking all along.
One of the key takeaways from the book is the distinction between "ordinary anxiety" and "stuck anxiety." Fuchs explores why some people get trapped in chronic anxiety while others do not. This understanding is essential because it helps us recognize that anxiety, when it becomes overwhelming or persistent, is not something to be feared, but rather a sign that there are deeper issues in need of attention. It’s a novel perspective that pushes back against the cultural narrative that anxiety must be eradicated.
The heart of Fuchs' message lies in her *EASE Method*, a practical approach to managing anxiety. This method doesn't promise to eliminate anxiety but teaches how to work with it, reduce its intensity, and transform one’s relationship with it. By following this step-by-step process, Fuchs suggests that readers can learn to stop fighting anxiety and instead embrace it as a guide that reveals unmet needs and unresolved issues. Through this lens, anxiety becomes a messenger, not a threat.
The strength of *The Gift of Anxiety* is its accessibility. Fuchs’ writing is clear and direct, making complex psychological ideas easy to grasp. Her tone is empathetic, which makes the book especially appealing for those who feel misunderstood or trapped in their own anxious thoughts. The reader is not only educated about the science behind anxiety but is also guided through actionable strategies to manage it. This balance of theory and practice makes the book both insightful and useful.
In particular, the book shines when it discusses how resisting anxiety only amplifies it. Fuchs explains that trying to get rid of anxiety can lead to a vicious cycle where we become anxious about feeling anxious, which only worsens the experience. Her approach, in contrast, is calming and encourages mindfulness—teaching readers how to listen to anxiety’s messages without panic.
This book is a valuable resource for anyone who struggles with anxiety and feels stuck in their efforts to control or diminish it. The idea that anxiety can actually be a gift, one that helps lead to greater emotional awareness and a more peaceful life, is not only refreshing but transformative. Fuchs' approach gives hope to those who have tried various methods—such as meditation, therapy, or medication—without success, by shifting the focus from elimination to understanding and growth.
In conclusion, *The Gift of Anxiety* is more than just a self-help book; it’s a guide to self-acceptance and a deeper understanding of one’s emotional landscape. Fuchs offers a unique perspective that turns a seemingly negative emotion into an opportunity for healing and self-discovery. By learning to work with anxiety rather than against it, readers may find the peace they’ve been seeking all along.
August 9, 2024
The biggest, most positive takeaway I received from this book was a simple reframing of my relationship with anxiety, and for that I am forever grateful.
I am someone who has "struggled" with anxiety since my teens. It has waxed and waned throughout the years, sometimes giving me a break for a string of months on end. But recently, I've dealt with two forms of "stuck" anxiety as the author likes to call it: anxiety ABOUT anxiety and medical/ health anxiety. Super fun, totally recommend.
Most recently, my anxiety about anxiety has revolved around my inability to sleep. So this book really couldn't have come at a better time. Anxiety is a really tricky thing to deal with, something no one genuinely enjoys feeling, and it's hard to know what to do, think, or how to act when it knocks on the door of your brain.
Which is why I really appreciated the reframing of anxiety by the authors as an emotion whose job it is to get you to pay attention and to warn you of potential threats. This alone has helped me to be much more compassionate towards not only anxiety whenever it materializes, but also with myself and how I greet anxiety at the proverbial doorway. It is no longer an enemy I feel the need to vanquish, but a crying toddler who is desperately seeking validation that a monster might be lurking under the bed, and wouldn't I please check?
I also really appreciated the E.A.S.E Approach, although, I couldn't for the life of me remember what each letter stood for, except A which I believe is Acceptance (but don't quote me on that). What I do remember are the smattering of steps one can take when anxiety appears. I started using them even before I finished the book, and have continued to build on them after putting the book away. I think of all the steps I've tried, my favorite has been simply breathing, but not in the normal, prescriptive way of bringing your thoughts to your breath (which definitely helps). The author instead recommends breathing deeply and imaging that your breath is opening up space for you and your anxiety to co-exist without crushing one another. For some reason, this really resonated with me, and I have found it the most helpful piece of advice.
Oh! And there was an entire section dedicated to Core Beliefs that I thoroughly enjoyed. It actually took me about a week after finishing the book and inviting my anxiety in with curiosity instead of fear for me to realize that a false core belief I held (along with some medical news) combined to trigger my latest bout of insomnia followed by anxiety ABOUT anxiety ABOUT falling asleep every night. Again, super fun stuff. BUT, what I learned from reading this book helped me to work through that stuck anxiety, and now I'm on restful-night's-sleeping streak. So, silver lining.
Overall, I felt like this was an informative read and even if not everything struck a chord with me, enough did that I would absolutely recommend this to a fellow anxiety-sufferer.
I am someone who has "struggled" with anxiety since my teens. It has waxed and waned throughout the years, sometimes giving me a break for a string of months on end. But recently, I've dealt with two forms of "stuck" anxiety as the author likes to call it: anxiety ABOUT anxiety and medical/ health anxiety. Super fun, totally recommend.
Most recently, my anxiety about anxiety has revolved around my inability to sleep. So this book really couldn't have come at a better time. Anxiety is a really tricky thing to deal with, something no one genuinely enjoys feeling, and it's hard to know what to do, think, or how to act when it knocks on the door of your brain.
Which is why I really appreciated the reframing of anxiety by the authors as an emotion whose job it is to get you to pay attention and to warn you of potential threats. This alone has helped me to be much more compassionate towards not only anxiety whenever it materializes, but also with myself and how I greet anxiety at the proverbial doorway. It is no longer an enemy I feel the need to vanquish, but a crying toddler who is desperately seeking validation that a monster might be lurking under the bed, and wouldn't I please check?
I also really appreciated the E.A.S.E Approach, although, I couldn't for the life of me remember what each letter stood for, except A which I believe is Acceptance (but don't quote me on that). What I do remember are the smattering of steps one can take when anxiety appears. I started using them even before I finished the book, and have continued to build on them after putting the book away. I think of all the steps I've tried, my favorite has been simply breathing, but not in the normal, prescriptive way of bringing your thoughts to your breath (which definitely helps). The author instead recommends breathing deeply and imaging that your breath is opening up space for you and your anxiety to co-exist without crushing one another. For some reason, this really resonated with me, and I have found it the most helpful piece of advice.
Oh! And there was an entire section dedicated to Core Beliefs that I thoroughly enjoyed. It actually took me about a week after finishing the book and inviting my anxiety in with curiosity instead of fear for me to realize that a false core belief I held (along with some medical news) combined to trigger my latest bout of insomnia followed by anxiety ABOUT anxiety ABOUT falling asleep every night. Again, super fun stuff. BUT, what I learned from reading this book helped me to work through that stuck anxiety, and now I'm on restful-night's-sleeping streak. So, silver lining.
Overall, I felt like this was an informative read and even if not everything struck a chord with me, enough did that I would absolutely recommend this to a fellow anxiety-sufferer.
September 5, 2024
I picked up this book partly to see if my skepticism was justified and partly with a small glimmer of reckless hope that it might contain the magic formula to better manage my anxiety (now my constant companion). The result was somewhat disappointing, especially since at one point, I found myself feeling genuinely hopeful about the content of these pages.
The book presents psychological concepts related to anxiety and attempts to explain them just enough to offer advice on how to avoid behaviors that exacerbate this feeling rather than help control it. Every piece of advice, particularly the EASE method, tries to provide helpful insights for certain types of people but completely lacks the scientific grounding that many of us seek in order to consider the steps it outlines reliable and truly useful. Although the author seems to have tried the method on certain groups of people who reported benefits, in my case, it was a complete disaster, which I'm sure was influenced by a certain superficiality in the explanations and the scientific evidence presented.
While I believe the intentions were good and that the text itself is fairly interesting—although, at times, excessively wordy, unable to avoid seeming boring and slow—the lack of proven and well-documented case studies from which to draw a more complete scientific analysis is frustrating for a book that presents itself as a source of help for its readers. The idea of harnessing anxiety as a source of energy and strength is a good one, though rather overused at this point, but still appealing if accompanied by rhetoric and evidence that can truly provide a comprehensive picture of the benefits. In this case, I think it’s a mediocre read in some respects but could serve as a springboard for a more serious and scientifically proven exploration of the topic.
The book presents psychological concepts related to anxiety and attempts to explain them just enough to offer advice on how to avoid behaviors that exacerbate this feeling rather than help control it. Every piece of advice, particularly the EASE method, tries to provide helpful insights for certain types of people but completely lacks the scientific grounding that many of us seek in order to consider the steps it outlines reliable and truly useful. Although the author seems to have tried the method on certain groups of people who reported benefits, in my case, it was a complete disaster, which I'm sure was influenced by a certain superficiality in the explanations and the scientific evidence presented.
While I believe the intentions were good and that the text itself is fairly interesting—although, at times, excessively wordy, unable to avoid seeming boring and slow—the lack of proven and well-documented case studies from which to draw a more complete scientific analysis is frustrating for a book that presents itself as a source of help for its readers. The idea of harnessing anxiety as a source of energy and strength is a good one, though rather overused at this point, but still appealing if accompanied by rhetoric and evidence that can truly provide a comprehensive picture of the benefits. In this case, I think it’s a mediocre read in some respects but could serve as a springboard for a more serious and scientifically proven exploration of the topic.
November 8, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ l learn more from this book rather than from years of therapy and dealing with anxiety myself.
The author shares great knowledge and examples to help you understand the potential in anxiety.
A concept that is being reinforced throughout all the book is that anxiety is not the enemy, it’s actually there to help you by pointing out a need that needs to be met.
What a revolutionary way of thinking about anxiety!
Reading this book helped me so much to better understand anxiety and how to use its potential. I wished I read this book sooner.
I also really appreciated the summary at the end of every chapters and the exercises/journal prompts.
However, I found it hard to read sometimes due to the density of information shared. It was also a bit too repetitive in my opinion. I understand the author was trying to reinforce certain concepts, but the repetitions slowed down the reading flow.
Moreover, I believe the E.A.S.E method should be a main topic in the book (it’s mentioned several times), but it’s only finally explained halfway through the book, for only 36 pages in total. Considering the importance of the Method, I wish there were more pages dedicated to it.
Finally, I had the feeling the author was trying to promote her website a bit too much. She shared the link multiple times where she provides with material to further help the journaling process, which is nice, but I found it a bit too much.
Overall, it was an interesting read, which I am sure it will help a lot of other people to better understand their anxiety and how to make the most out of it.
Thank you NetGalley and TCK Publishing for the e-arc.
The author shares great knowledge and examples to help you understand the potential in anxiety.
A concept that is being reinforced throughout all the book is that anxiety is not the enemy, it’s actually there to help you by pointing out a need that needs to be met.
What a revolutionary way of thinking about anxiety!
Reading this book helped me so much to better understand anxiety and how to use its potential. I wished I read this book sooner.
I also really appreciated the summary at the end of every chapters and the exercises/journal prompts.
However, I found it hard to read sometimes due to the density of information shared. It was also a bit too repetitive in my opinion. I understand the author was trying to reinforce certain concepts, but the repetitions slowed down the reading flow.
Moreover, I believe the E.A.S.E method should be a main topic in the book (it’s mentioned several times), but it’s only finally explained halfway through the book, for only 36 pages in total. Considering the importance of the Method, I wish there were more pages dedicated to it.
Finally, I had the feeling the author was trying to promote her website a bit too much. She shared the link multiple times where she provides with material to further help the journaling process, which is nice, but I found it a bit too much.
Overall, it was an interesting read, which I am sure it will help a lot of other people to better understand their anxiety and how to make the most out of it.
Thank you NetGalley and TCK Publishing for the e-arc.
August 5, 2024
The Gift of Anxiety by Diante Fuchs is about harnessing the E.A.S.E. method to turn stuck anxiety into your greatest ally.
I have been experiencing anxiety for several months due to several unexpected life events. I picked up this book to help me determine if I was stuck in my anxiety, how I could understand what I was feeling, and how I could walk through the feelings.
As the author states, it's best to work through the steps of this method in chronological order, as each step creates a foundation for the next step to take place.
The author discusses some root causes of anxiety as either a past trauma has been triggered, trying to avoid something, a person's system is stressed, or a core belief has been triggered.
Each chapter ends with a summary and has a Time To Take Action section with further prompts and links. The author discusses the four phases of stuck anxiety, which include fear and overwhelm, rejecting anxiety, hypervigilance, and avoidance and recommends the E.A.S.E. approach (empower, accept, shift, engage).
I thought some of the information was interesting and reaffirming, but I did have a difficult time actually putting some of the concepts into place. Plus, I don't journal that much, and that was hard. I did like getting more information about anxiety in general and how it affects our minds and bodies.
Overall, The Gift of Anxiety is a good read and one that may help other people understand the message of anxiety and how to un-stuck yourself. I would rate this a 3.75 out of 5 stars (rounded to 4).
#TheGiftofAnxiety #NetGalley @ibpa
I have been experiencing anxiety for several months due to several unexpected life events. I picked up this book to help me determine if I was stuck in my anxiety, how I could understand what I was feeling, and how I could walk through the feelings.
As the author states, it's best to work through the steps of this method in chronological order, as each step creates a foundation for the next step to take place.
The author discusses some root causes of anxiety as either a past trauma has been triggered, trying to avoid something, a person's system is stressed, or a core belief has been triggered.
Each chapter ends with a summary and has a Time To Take Action section with further prompts and links. The author discusses the four phases of stuck anxiety, which include fear and overwhelm, rejecting anxiety, hypervigilance, and avoidance and recommends the E.A.S.E. approach (empower, accept, shift, engage).
I thought some of the information was interesting and reaffirming, but I did have a difficult time actually putting some of the concepts into place. Plus, I don't journal that much, and that was hard. I did like getting more information about anxiety in general and how it affects our minds and bodies.
Overall, The Gift of Anxiety is a good read and one that may help other people understand the message of anxiety and how to un-stuck yourself. I would rate this a 3.75 out of 5 stars (rounded to 4).
#TheGiftofAnxiety #NetGalley @ibpa
July 21, 2025
When I requested a copy of this book from the publisher I thought it would be a book to give me insight into the subject so that I could help my friends and family who were suffering from Anxiety. But as I read the book I realized I, too, was dealing and had dealt, sometime poorly, with a multitude of issues covered in the book under the general rubric Anxiety. So, by the end of the book, I realized the book is really for me. I might share it with others, but I am the one in need. Thank you, Diante.
Diante has a great writing style. It is easy and engaging to read. What otherwise might be a difficult conversation she covers with great explanations and examples which bring the various issues to life.
Maybe the biggest insight is that Anxiety (or the numerous other emotions we often categorize as negative) is not the enemy. It is a warning sign. It is a call to action and will not go away until we deal with the underlying cause. Once we begin to see anxiety as a friend who is trying to help us out, we begin to see it from a different perspective.
Obviously, I highly recommend this book to everyone, not just those who see themselves dealing with anxiety. Who knows, you may be like me and discover some hidden gem which will begin to make sense of many of the issues you have been dealing with all your life.
Upon request, the publisher, with no preset conditions, sent me a copy of the book to review.
Diante has a great writing style. It is easy and engaging to read. What otherwise might be a difficult conversation she covers with great explanations and examples which bring the various issues to life.
Maybe the biggest insight is that Anxiety (or the numerous other emotions we often categorize as negative) is not the enemy. It is a warning sign. It is a call to action and will not go away until we deal with the underlying cause. Once we begin to see anxiety as a friend who is trying to help us out, we begin to see it from a different perspective.
Obviously, I highly recommend this book to everyone, not just those who see themselves dealing with anxiety. Who knows, you may be like me and discover some hidden gem which will begin to make sense of many of the issues you have been dealing with all your life.
Upon request, the publisher, with no preset conditions, sent me a copy of the book to review.
September 30, 2024
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of The Gift if Anxiety from Net Galley in exchange for a fair review.
I just finished reading The Gift of Anxiety by Diante Fuchs. I chose this title to review because I suffer from Generalized Anxiety, and I am always eager to learn more ways to cope. I found this very helpful and wish it had been available years ago when I started having panic attacks.
The author is a clinical psychologist but has also dealt with her own anxiety and that of her husband’s. I think we all have anxiety on some level depending on the situation, but we need to make sure it doesn’t stop us from living our lives.
I found many of the tips and exercises in this book to be very helpful. I also like the author’s way of viewing anxiety as a gift instead of a curse. Most people, myself included want to find aa way to push it away instead of looking into the root causes of it. It is our body’s way of telling us something is not right, so we need to acknowledge it. Plus, when you try not to think of something, it makes you want to think of it more. I highly recommend this for anyone who has ever had to deal with anxiety, especially to the point it makes you avoid things.
I just finished reading The Gift of Anxiety by Diante Fuchs. I chose this title to review because I suffer from Generalized Anxiety, and I am always eager to learn more ways to cope. I found this very helpful and wish it had been available years ago when I started having panic attacks.
The author is a clinical psychologist but has also dealt with her own anxiety and that of her husband’s. I think we all have anxiety on some level depending on the situation, but we need to make sure it doesn’t stop us from living our lives.
I found many of the tips and exercises in this book to be very helpful. I also like the author’s way of viewing anxiety as a gift instead of a curse. Most people, myself included want to find aa way to push it away instead of looking into the root causes of it. It is our body’s way of telling us something is not right, so we need to acknowledge it. Plus, when you try not to think of something, it makes you want to think of it more. I highly recommend this for anyone who has ever had to deal with anxiety, especially to the point it makes you avoid things.
December 8, 2024
In "The Gift of Anxiety," Diante Fuchs presents a refreshing perspective on our relationship with anxiety. Instead of viewing it as an enemy, the author encourages readers to listen to its messages and embrace it as a vital part of our emotional landscape. The EASE Method offers practical steps to transform stuck anxiety into a powerful ally. Fuchs' compassionate approach is both insightful and empowering, making it suitable for anyone struggling with anxiety. While the concepts are revolutionary, I was hoping for a few more in-depth examples. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for harnessing anxiety to foster personal growth and peace.
Thank you, #NetGalley, #DianteFuchs, and #TCKPublishing, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #TheGiftofAnxiety.
Thank you, #NetGalley, #DianteFuchs, and #TCKPublishing, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of #TheGiftofAnxiety.
November 14, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book makes us look at anxiety in a whole new light. It was good to have the disclaimer at the beginning. I liked how the book starts off explaining anxiety and when we may feel it before jumping into changing how we respond to it so I had a good foundation on what types of anxiety the author is talking about. The chapters start with anecdotes then go into facts which is great as it helps show the author has experience of what they’re talking about. I also liked how each step of E.A.S.E has its own chapter and enough detail can be provided.
August 26, 2024
Thank you net galley for the advanced read copy! The gift of anxiety is a book that everyone should read if they have anxiety. It redirects your thought process and allows you to look at anxiety in a whole new direction. There are so many resources, and things you will need to write down. Be prepared with a journal, because you will do some self reflection. The book allows you to take control of your anxiety instead of it controlling you. It so mind blowing, how much I missed when dealing with my anxiety. It totally worth the investment.
September 2, 2024
This book is a must-read for those struggling with crippling anxiety. It helps you discover a new relationship with anxiety and teaches you to work with it rather than to fear it. Diante is a great communicator and takes you step by step through the process of healing stuck anxiety so that we can embrace the natural emotion and sensations of anxiety for the gift that it truly is. It has helped me in my own journey with anxiety and will continue to be a useful resource for when I get stuck. I cannot recommend it enough!!
September 30, 2024
As an anxiety sufferer I found that this book is written in easy to understand and everyday terms. Anxiety is explained clearly in terms of an emotion and how the sufferer can come to accept it. In a step-by-step explanation and examples, the author teaches the reader how to respond and consequently overcome their anxiety.
With practical exercises and worksheets (journalling) Diante assists one in achieving the E.A.S.E. method so that you can learn to embrace your anxiety and use it in a positive way.
With practical exercises and worksheets (journalling) Diante assists one in achieving the E.A.S.E. method so that you can learn to embrace your anxiety and use it in a positive way.
July 25, 2024
Diante Fuchs does a great job of making the topic about anxiety easy to relate to, providing useful exercises and reflections at the end of each chapter. These help you put the ideas into practice. However, I find some points are repeated too often, and a few chapter titles can feel like clickbait. Sometimes, instead of clear answers, I get more questions or repeated explanations insted.
September 10, 2024
Cripling anxiety can keep people from living full and fulfilling lives, but good anxiety can drive a person to great heights. Anxiety is a part of every human being's emotional makeup, but it doesn't have to keep you cowering in the corner. Fuchs labels the good anxiety from the bad, and that makes all the difference. It's likely you or someone you know needs to read the book.
November 8, 2024
Very informative book that has helped changed my perspective on anxiety. A lot of what the author discussed about anxiety resonated with me and the journals really helped me reflect on how anxiety appears in my life. This book will stick with me forever.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing the ARC!
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing the ARC!
November 10, 2024
Not a big fan of this genre, but this book can really help people experiencing and suffering from anxiety.
It helps you rewire your brain into a positive cycle of acceptance and self-recovery.
Simple, smart and helpful book
4,5
It helps you rewire your brain into a positive cycle of acceptance and self-recovery.
Simple, smart and helpful book
4,5
September 17, 2024
Title: The Gift of Anxiety: Harnessing the EASE Method to Turn Stuck Anxiety into Your Greatest Ally
By: Diante Fuchs
Pub. Date: September 2, 2024
Genre: Nonfiction
Favorite Quotes:
“Anxiety is an emotional response to get us to pay attention to a need for our safety. This means that anxiety only pops up when something is happening that leaves us feeling unsafe. Remember that it is an emotional response and it cannot harm you.”
“Avoidance can only provide temporary relief! And this temporary relief can become an addiction.”
“The experience of being validated and given permission to feel our feelings in all their complexity is a huge portion of mental health and healing.”
Summary/Review:
I picked up this book because I was intrigued by the preface.
Wait, Anxiety isn’t a problem... is it an emotion?
The title of the book made me take a second look. Since when has anxiety ever been described as a gift. This book opened my eyes to the power we as humans, hold on our internal emotions and anxiety. Though I was skeptical, I did find the writing to be informative, and thought provoking. The author describes the difference between ‘stuck anxiety’ vs ‘original anxiety’.
Fuchs uses her knowledge to form a unique method called E.A.S.E to assist others and help them gain control over their anxiety. This recognition is critical! The author’s method doesn’t cure people of their anxiety, but rather, I consider it a coping strategy or method of supporting ourselves or those with anxiety. I love that Fuchs wants humanity to embrace the emotion behind anxiety! This novel is a wonderful resource for those who struggle with anxiety.
Thank you Diante Fuchs, TCK Publishing, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
#TheGiftofAnxiety
#Diante Fuchs
#TCLPublishing
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#netgalley
By: Diante Fuchs
Pub. Date: September 2, 2024
Genre: Nonfiction
Favorite Quotes:
“Anxiety is an emotional response to get us to pay attention to a need for our safety. This means that anxiety only pops up when something is happening that leaves us feeling unsafe. Remember that it is an emotional response and it cannot harm you.”
“Avoidance can only provide temporary relief! And this temporary relief can become an addiction.”
“The experience of being validated and given permission to feel our feelings in all their complexity is a huge portion of mental health and healing.”
Summary/Review:
I picked up this book because I was intrigued by the preface.
Wait, Anxiety isn’t a problem... is it an emotion?
The title of the book made me take a second look. Since when has anxiety ever been described as a gift. This book opened my eyes to the power we as humans, hold on our internal emotions and anxiety. Though I was skeptical, I did find the writing to be informative, and thought provoking. The author describes the difference between ‘stuck anxiety’ vs ‘original anxiety’.
Fuchs uses her knowledge to form a unique method called E.A.S.E to assist others and help them gain control over their anxiety. This recognition is critical! The author’s method doesn’t cure people of their anxiety, but rather, I consider it a coping strategy or method of supporting ourselves or those with anxiety. I love that Fuchs wants humanity to embrace the emotion behind anxiety! This novel is a wonderful resource for those who struggle with anxiety.
Thank you Diante Fuchs, TCK Publishing, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
#TheGiftofAnxiety
#Diante Fuchs
#TCLPublishing
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#netgalley
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