At Last a Life and Beyond

by Paul David

At Last a Life and Beyond is the sequel to my best selling book 'At Last a Life'. This latest title is packed with information on how to overcome anxiety and what keeps people in the loop. The book will cut out all the jargon and give you a clear perspective on how to overcome all of your anxiety and panic issues. In this book you won’t find a list of techniques, rules or methods, as you don’t need them. I am sure you have tried enough of these and still found little relief. Techniques, rules and methods usually take effort and are mostly built on suppression of feelings, which is the complete wrong approach. Anxiety is your mind and body’s way of telling you that you are already overdoing it with effort, both mentally and physically, so the last thing you want is to add more effort. If you want to free yourself from the prison you currently find yourself in and rediscover the true you, then this book will finally give you all the answers you need. Chapter 1: You are not broken 12 Chapter 2: Letting go of crutches 23 Chapter 3: Anxiety backpack 29 Chapter 4: What is the need for fear and anxiety 41 Chapter 5: Struggling with thoughts 48 Chapter 6: The inner critic 61 Chapter 7: Overworking the mind 67 Chapter 8: Avoiding anxiety 78 Chapter 9: Resistance only increases suffering 83 Chapter 10: Our obsession with worry 88 Chapter 10: Setbacks 92 Chapter 11: Other people’s success stories 98 Chapter 12: Q & A section 126 Chapter 11: Social anxiety 138 Chapter 12: Anxiety loop 143 Chapter 13: Living without stress 148 Chapter 14: Summing up 151

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Health

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 20, 2015

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more articulate and better-edited than David's original book, this one also provides crucial details about important concepts that were missing from the first, such as the importance of not triaging your own thoughts and deciding which to let in and which to reject. I had fallen into a trap of thinking that I had to push away anxious thoughts because I felt that by thinking them at all, I was strengthening their neural pathways and making them more ingrained. Paul David explains that trying to stop thoughts is like trying to control your own heartbeat and that the only way to recover from anxiety is to relinquish all control. It seemed insane but once I grasped it I never looked back, and I can attest to the fact that once you honestly just let your brain go completely mental, it actually does wind itself down. It is so counter-intuitive but so fantastic.

It took me a few weeks to implement the methods in this book (not through applying techniques, which David stresses are a no-no, but by letting go of behaviours and crutches) and my goodness I feel so much better. It has taken me about six months altogether to work through the concepts in David's two books, but I can't even describe how different my life is now compared to the middle of the year. After 6 years of near-crippling anxiety I truly feel I've actually regained my life.

I feel evangelical about this book actually; the rest of the literature on anxiety now seems like some kind of conspiracy designed to keep everyone incredibly anxious forever. David's approach of radical acceptance makes such perfect sense and moreover it actually leads to recovery.

[Lucas Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of this book, I recovered from social phobia, panic attacks, extreme anxiety, and awkward/unreality feelings also known as depersonalization, if you have one of those symptoms, check out this book!

[Jim Johnsrud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read lots of books on the subject in my desperation to get better. Just about all of those books were written by psychiatrist that listed symptoms and different kinds of anxiety, but none of them actually helped. This one changed that. It was written by someone that actually understood what they were talking about, and best of all, they had a cure! It wasn't done in a day but I could feel it working and it basically saved my life (I know this sounds dramatic, but it's true. I couldn't leave the apartment for many years and was getting worse each day. This book taught me to stop being afraid of my own thoughts).

[Yasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul’s books about anxiety deserve nothing less than 5 stars. 5 stars is nowhere near enough. The information that Paul provides about anxiety is priceless and has given many people their life back, including me. These books should be recommended in every doctor’s surgery, therapy, taught in schools etc. They provide the explanation behind anxiety that everyone who has anxiety so desperately desires. If listened to, this information provides one with the understanding that then allows them the time and space for their mind and body to heal and become healthy again. I know this because I am one of those people who is just around the corner from fully recovering from chronic, debilitating anxiety that I have suffered with for over 10 years with every symptom under the sun, at times housebound, and often hopeless.

If you’re a person that suffers with anxiety, I urge you to read Paul’s books. I would recommend reading his first one first (At Last a Life) and then this one. These aren’t a technique, mantra, or anything else that requires your already tired mind to work for to recover, but in fact the opposite. Paul himself is a person that also suffered with chronic anxiety and in these books the information he gained to allow him to recover and he passes this on in his books.

For anyone that is suffering, again I urge you to read these and say to you that you CAN recover x

[Ryan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been about a week since I finished Paul's first book and the attitude I have adopted to better understand anxiety is slowly solidifying each day. I am still frequently tempted to entertain my irrational and anxious thoughts from time to time but I know that the feeling will pass.

The most impactful lesson I took away from this book was to pursue hobbies that are healthier for my overall well being. Even though distracting myself with social media, video games, and substances is fun in moderation, it might not be the best way for my body to release uncomfortable energy. I understand that through a more mindful way of living, I will find more moments of peace.

I'd definitely recommend this book if someone wants to deepen their understanding of anxiety and if they're still feeling a little "stuck". But in all honesty, Paul gives you all of the tools you need in the first book.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this 3 1/2 stars if that was possible on here.
I think this is quite sweet, it's one idea just expanded on over a whole book. And in fact it's very similar to the Dare response.
Dare however is more thorough and grounded in research and I think offers more structure, also a great app that I use daily.
My issue with this and also with Dare to an extent, is its not trauma informed. There are people who need mental health support, and need medications.
I'm glad people get better reading this book, and I do think it's a very useful reflection.
but the author did also completely change his lifestyle, taking on a lot of the usual advice to help with anxiety..

[Robert Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read every word here

I've read many books and articles on anxiety. This book feels personal and I can see how and why it is structured in this way. Things that are most helpful are reiterated and you experience increasing clarity as you read.

[Mike Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended if you suffer from anxiety

[Muna Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational and relatable. Helped me find my way out of the anxiety cycle. I found it comforting knowing I’m not alone.

[Fay · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you’re making a cup of tea and you’re overwhelmed by dread and despair, then carry on making that tea regardless“

I’ve been learning, reading, and analyzing my state for quite some time, tried a number of techniques and read so many advice, all to overcome this dread and overwhelming sense of doom that washes over me every morning for 3 years now, my thoughts always being flat and one dimensional, normal situations being either black or white, and that nauseousness from it all. the simple idea that I didn’t have control over the next panic state and crippling anxiety was so impossible for me to accept making me stuck in this cycle of self analysis and attempts to resist what is, but being in that state for quite some time is what made me realize i must be doing something wrong

…reading paul david’s approach has made perfect sense to me upon finishing his first book “at last a life” because it was against everything i’ve been doing, it is by no means a cure or a solution, he is simply telling us to quit the battle we put ourselves through, and to experience the dread as it is, yes simply give in, no techniques or methods required which he stresses a lot, just going about life and taking that hellish feeling along… at first that wasn’t what i wanted to read or hear I wanted a solution and a fix, for these symptoms to be gone at once, but then I remembered the countless attempts of pretty much “fixing” and fighting back… how giving in would be just one more attempt i haven’t tried. And man did it click

In this book paul truly wraps it all together, he talks about it much more directly and includes insights and stories of people who makes you feel less alone, he concludes his teachings, with the main points which are very helpful to remember

I’m still on the quest of learning to apply everything he says and forgetting old habits, but I’m already identifying less with my anxious mind and normalizing when I’m in a setback.

Thank you paul david i owe you my life

[Ave FENIX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Los 9€ mejor gastados de mi vida

Después de años de intentar de todo (decenas de psicologos, suplementos, dietas, decenas de libros, buscar en foros, buscar en redes sociales...) encuentro en este libro la solución a la ansiedad que realmente funciona de alguien que se nota que ha tenido el problema y ha encontrado la solucion.

Deberian demandar a los psicologos que no utilizan este sistema (99%) porque en mi experiencia solo empeoran el problema al hacer lo contrario a lo que propone este libro, aparte de que son carisimos y el proceso es demasiado lento (en algunos tipos de psicologia incluso años).

No te vas a curar solo por entender lo que propone porque igual que no se puede aprender a nadar o conducir solo leyendo un libro necesitas poner en practica lo que dice, pero si te va a vender muy bien el proceso y lo vas a entender.

Aunque no se ingles lo he traducido gracias a la app de Amazon Kindle que además tiene un boton para que te lo lea traducido.

Ojala alguien lo tradujera al español para que se conozca esta joya.

[Christophe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my search to cope with and heal from chronic stress, generalized social anxiety and episodes of derealization, I came across this book. I can absolutely confirm the many positive reviews. While reading it, something just clicked, giving me an instant understanding of why I feel and think the way I do. I was moved by the stories of others mentioned in the book and they brought me comfort knowing that many people were in similar situations and were able to fully heal. Highly recommended.

[ben mcinerney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely changed my perspective on my suffering (anxiety/PTSD) and allowed me to regain a life slowly but surely. Simply put, this is the most impactful and helpful book I have ever read. It transformed my life for the better through acceptance and perseverance.

[Radioactive Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than his last book.
The greatest book ever written on anxiety and the fear cycle.
Without this I would probably not be alive today! Thank you Paul!

[Danielle Bellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as amazing as the first book! A GREAT read for anyone suffering from anxiety.

[C HOWIE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

Best book I've read. And I have read loads. Paul explains so well. I've read both of his books the first one has given me my life back. Thanks Paul so much xx