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Conquer Worry and Anxiety: The Secret to Mastering Your Mind
You can overcome worry and anxiety today. It is possible to feel better fast--and to make it last.
Many people, mental health professionals included, think therapy needs to be long, hard, and painful--a lifelong commitment. And while some people will need help longer than others, it is often possible for people to start feeling better right now. If you engage in the right behaviors and strategies, you'll optimize your brain health--and see the benefits in your everyday life.
In Conquer Worry and Anxiety, renowned psychiatrist Dr. Daniel G. Amen will guide you to lasting change, teaching you how to make decisions that serve your brain's health and set you on a path to a happier, healthier life. Each of us can make small changes that, over time, create amazing results.
Many people, mental health professionals included, think therapy needs to be long, hard, and painful--a lifelong commitment. And while some people will need help longer than others, it is often possible for people to start feeling better right now. If you engage in the right behaviors and strategies, you'll optimize your brain health--and see the benefits in your everyday life.
In Conquer Worry and Anxiety, renowned psychiatrist Dr. Daniel G. Amen will guide you to lasting change, teaching you how to make decisions that serve your brain's health and set you on a path to a happier, healthier life. Each of us can make small changes that, over time, create amazing results.
151 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2020
158 people are currently reading
721 people want to read
About the author
Daniel G. Amen
177 books1,492 followersThe Washington Post called Dr. Daniel Amen the most popular psychiatrist in America and Sharecare.com named him the web's most influential expert and advocate on mental health.
Daniel Amen is a life-long Christian and graduate of Oral Roberts University School of Medicine. He is a double board-certified psychiatrist and multiple NY Times bestselling author, with such blockbuster books as Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, Healing ADD, Change Your Brain, Change Your Body, and The Daniel Plan, co-authored by Pastor Rick Warren and Dr. Mark Hyman. In November 2016, he and his wife Tana published The Brain Warrior's Way.
Dr. Amen is the founder of Amen Clinics, which has 6 locations across the United States. Amen Clinics has the world's largest database of brain scans related to behavior, totaling more than 125,000 SPECT scans on patients from 111 countries.
Dr. Amen's research team has published more than 70 scientific articles on a wide variety of topics related to brain health. He is the lead researcher on the largest brain imaging study on active and retired NFL players and was a consultant on the movie Concussion starring Will Smith. In 2016, Discover Magazine named his brain imaging work for psychiatric diagnoses as one of the top 100 stories in all of science.
Dr. Amen has also hosted 11 national public television shows about the brain, which have aired more than 80,000 times across North America and raised more than 75 million dollars for stations.
You can connect with Dr. Amen on Facebook and Twitter
Daniel Amen is a life-long Christian and graduate of Oral Roberts University School of Medicine. He is a double board-certified psychiatrist and multiple NY Times bestselling author, with such blockbuster books as Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, Healing ADD, Change Your Brain, Change Your Body, and The Daniel Plan, co-authored by Pastor Rick Warren and Dr. Mark Hyman. In November 2016, he and his wife Tana published The Brain Warrior's Way.
Dr. Amen is the founder of Amen Clinics, which has 6 locations across the United States. Amen Clinics has the world's largest database of brain scans related to behavior, totaling more than 125,000 SPECT scans on patients from 111 countries.
Dr. Amen's research team has published more than 70 scientific articles on a wide variety of topics related to brain health. He is the lead researcher on the largest brain imaging study on active and retired NFL players and was a consultant on the movie Concussion starring Will Smith. In 2016, Discover Magazine named his brain imaging work for psychiatric diagnoses as one of the top 100 stories in all of science.
Dr. Amen has also hosted 11 national public television shows about the brain, which have aired more than 80,000 times across North America and raised more than 75 million dollars for stations.
You can connect with Dr. Amen on Facebook and Twitter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 19, 2020
A very short something on conquering something entirely else.
November 10, 2022
Instead of writing a review, I will be sharing all the things this Dr. told me to do that I probably should start doing:
- stop using bottles and containers made of plastic
- walk outside barefoot to release stress
- take Omega 3 and Vitamin D
- drink green tea over any other caffeine option
- build my immunity with onions, mushrooms, and garlic
- buy organic
- regulate your sleep schedule
- avoid the “Standard American diet”
- volunteer because other people make you happier than your phone
- always have a job that requires new learning
- cut the “victim mindset”
- choose a safe haven and go there often
- love
- stop using bottles and containers made of plastic
- walk outside barefoot to release stress
- take Omega 3 and Vitamin D
- drink green tea over any other caffeine option
- build my immunity with onions, mushrooms, and garlic
- buy organic
- regulate your sleep schedule
- avoid the “Standard American diet”
- volunteer because other people make you happier than your phone
- always have a job that requires new learning
- cut the “victim mindset”
- choose a safe haven and go there often
- love
January 8, 2023
Short, sweet, and to the point.
Anxiety and worry are things that I struggle with a lot. I want to be kinder to my brain and will start taking better care of it! Highly recommend!
Anxiety and worry are things that I struggle with a lot. I want to be kinder to my brain and will start taking better care of it! Highly recommend!
October 8, 2023
Very quick read. Pretty shallow as far as the teachings are concerned but still some insightful knowledge contained within. I appreciate the insights on the relationship between physical health and mental health. It did give me some white jesus, venti frappucino worshipper, drive my tesla to church vibes though. I would honestly recommend a handful of “self help” or anxiety related books before this one. 2.5 stars.
December 30, 2025
Definitely a book I will continue to reference
December 21, 2022
A great, quick read where Dr. Amen shares many thought strategies, patterns, and practices on how to overcome anxiety and worry. He preaches that medicine is just a band-aid for your anxiety. It is your daily practices that resolve the anxious thought patterns. A very helpful read!
January 8, 2022
Just a terrible book. The tone is condescending and it’s peppered with a bunch of Christian stuff, which is fine. I just wish I would have known that before I started reading it.
February 5, 2025
So fantastic that I finished it in under a week. Never thought that possible. I consider myself to be a calm and even-tempered guy who by the grace of God really does not struggle with anxiety, but what this showed me is how much potential I still may be leaving on the table (and the importance of optimizing brain health early in life). Only ended up being 125ish real pages of content. Highlighted my way through it too, which I’ve found to be my favorite way to read (also did it with Never Finished by David Goggins). I think my next book is going to be Atomic Habits - it seems like a fitting and powerful next step building directly off the effectiveness of this book.
September 26, 2024
Nice self help book, found certain parts of it extremely interesting. Definitely more CBT heavy and I understand that works for some and not others. I have implemented a lot of it into my life and I do feel a lot better for it which is always nice. I would recommend it as sometimes you need something written down by someone else to recognise that you’re doing those behaviours.
February 14, 2023
Woohoo anxiety conquered! It was a p decent read with some good advice
January 17, 2025
Very practical advice, which is a bit different from most "self-help books". It didn't blow me away with cool new insights, but was interesting nonetheless. And easy to read
August 9, 2024
Conquer Worry and Anxiety by Daniel G. Amen is a practical guide to understanding and managing anxiety and worry. The book draws on Amen’s extensive experience in brain health and psychology, offering readers a comprehensive approach to tackling these common mental health challenges.
The strength of this book lies in its holistic approach, addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of anxiety. Amen provides a range of tools and techniques, from dietary recommendations to cognitive-behavioral strategies, to help readers manage their anxiety more effectively.
However, while the content is informative, I found that some of the advice felt a bit general, lacking the specificity needed to address more severe cases of anxiety. Additionally, the book’s broad scope means that it doesn’t delve as deeply into any one area as I would have liked. Still, it’s a useful resource for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of their anxiety and take steps toward managing it.
The strength of this book lies in its holistic approach, addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of anxiety. Amen provides a range of tools and techniques, from dietary recommendations to cognitive-behavioral strategies, to help readers manage their anxiety more effectively.
However, while the content is informative, I found that some of the advice felt a bit general, lacking the specificity needed to address more severe cases of anxiety. Additionally, the book’s broad scope means that it doesn’t delve as deeply into any one area as I would have liked. Still, it’s a useful resource for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of their anxiety and take steps toward managing it.
December 20, 2024
Took a while to read but it was a goal to finish reading it and as one of the first mental health books I’ve read it’s a solid read. I’m atheist and I still read through all the Bible verses, not my cup of tea but it was still pretty inspirational along with the techniques to direct your thoughts somewhere else. I think it’s a good read and does the job of getting started on self help reads. My favorite part was when he described certain thoughts and how they occurred. Least favorite was when I saw stuff that didn’t apply to me as a teenager and some if not most advice just was not something that I felt could also resonate with the average person. Like sometimes you just can’t do certain things, buy more organics, drink a bunch of vitamins. Idk I’m editing my review cus I didn’t think this book was that controversial but some people disagree and they are valid. I’m not writing all that but this is just my opinion ✋😭
January 9, 2022
I normally don’t read self-help books but I came upon this one while browsing Amazon. The title alone intrigued me because i myself was a worry wort and had got worked up about this things that had simple solutions or weren’t a big deal to most.
This was an incredible book. It provided many techniques that can be helpful to those who suffer from anxiety and stress. I recommend everyone read this book especially nowadays with COVID, a nation that is politically charged, and a nation that seems to be divided.
This was an incredible book. It provided many techniques that can be helpful to those who suffer from anxiety and stress. I recommend everyone read this book especially nowadays with COVID, a nation that is politically charged, and a nation that seems to be divided.
June 20, 2021
I appreciate this book, however I do think you can get most of this content in any of his other books, on his social media, or as free resources on the website. He’s a smart guy and has great info, just not necessary to purchase the book.
June 20, 2025
🌟🌟
“Well-meaning but ultimately shallow—a brain-based approach that misses the heart of the issue.”
I picked up Conquer Worry and Anxiety by Dr. Daniel Amen hoping for a concise, practical approach to managing anxiety. At 73 pages (with the rest mostly appendices), I knew it would be short—but I wasn’t prepared for how light it would be on substance and misguided it would be on ultimate hope.
From a medical or cognitive-behavioral standpoint, Amen offers some familiar tools: breathing exercises, brain scans, reframing thoughts, nutritional suggestions, and supplements. He clearly wants to help people. But from a Reformed Christian perspective, the book is problematic—not because it talks about the brain, but because it treats the brain as the sole battlefield.
Anxiety, according to Scripture, is not just about faulty neural patterns or toxic thoughts. It’s a spiritual issue at the core—a disordered fear, often rooted in a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty, goodness, and nearness. Amen never goes there. There is no mention of sin, no acknowledgment of the soul, no vision of the peace that comes only from Christ. His solutions are mechanical and man-centered. You can feel better, he says, by fixing your brain. But we don’t need just better brains—we need transformed hearts.
📌 What I struggled with:
No spiritual depth. For something dealing with the soul-level reality of anxiety, this book never once acknowledges the Creator of the mind.
Overemphasis on brain scans and supplements. It borders on self-help marketing.
A reductionistic view of humans. We are more than chemicals and thoughts—we are image-bearers with eternal souls.
Oversimplification. Complex, soul-deep anxiety isn’t “conquered” in a few quick steps.
📌 What I appreciated (briefly):
The writing is clear and easy to follow.
Some techniques (like identifying “ANTs”—automatic negative thoughts) can be helpful as tools, if grounded in truth.
📌 Favorite takeaway (if I had to pick one):
“The brain is involved in everything you do.” True—but it’s not everything you are.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a quick fix or a few brain hacks, this might feel helpful on the surface. But if you want lasting peace, biblical clarity, and a true remedy for anxious hearts, this isn’t it. Conquer Worry and Anxiety treats anxiety like a hardware issue, but the real problem is spiritual—and only the gospel offers a real cure.
I would not recommend this as a Christian resource. For believers, tools like this may complement—but can never replace—the deep, lasting peace that comes from resting in Christ and His Word (Philippians 4:6–7).
“Well-meaning but ultimately shallow—a brain-based approach that misses the heart of the issue.”
I picked up Conquer Worry and Anxiety by Dr. Daniel Amen hoping for a concise, practical approach to managing anxiety. At 73 pages (with the rest mostly appendices), I knew it would be short—but I wasn’t prepared for how light it would be on substance and misguided it would be on ultimate hope.
From a medical or cognitive-behavioral standpoint, Amen offers some familiar tools: breathing exercises, brain scans, reframing thoughts, nutritional suggestions, and supplements. He clearly wants to help people. But from a Reformed Christian perspective, the book is problematic—not because it talks about the brain, but because it treats the brain as the sole battlefield.
Anxiety, according to Scripture, is not just about faulty neural patterns or toxic thoughts. It’s a spiritual issue at the core—a disordered fear, often rooted in a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty, goodness, and nearness. Amen never goes there. There is no mention of sin, no acknowledgment of the soul, no vision of the peace that comes only from Christ. His solutions are mechanical and man-centered. You can feel better, he says, by fixing your brain. But we don’t need just better brains—we need transformed hearts.
📌 What I struggled with:
No spiritual depth. For something dealing with the soul-level reality of anxiety, this book never once acknowledges the Creator of the mind.
Overemphasis on brain scans and supplements. It borders on self-help marketing.
A reductionistic view of humans. We are more than chemicals and thoughts—we are image-bearers with eternal souls.
Oversimplification. Complex, soul-deep anxiety isn’t “conquered” in a few quick steps.
📌 What I appreciated (briefly):
The writing is clear and easy to follow.
Some techniques (like identifying “ANTs”—automatic negative thoughts) can be helpful as tools, if grounded in truth.
📌 Favorite takeaway (if I had to pick one):
“The brain is involved in everything you do.” True—but it’s not everything you are.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a quick fix or a few brain hacks, this might feel helpful on the surface. But if you want lasting peace, biblical clarity, and a true remedy for anxious hearts, this isn’t it. Conquer Worry and Anxiety treats anxiety like a hardware issue, but the real problem is spiritual—and only the gospel offers a real cure.
I would not recommend this as a Christian resource. For believers, tools like this may complement—but can never replace—the deep, lasting peace that comes from resting in Christ and His Word (Philippians 4:6–7).
February 27, 2025
This is what you can call an "airport" book. One of those at the bookstores in airports that can catch your attention while waiting for your next departure or other. It reads fast and offers insights that one may not have thought about in a while or are brand new to the reader (eg bible verses that pertain to this.
Anyone out there will will either themselves, a family member, friend or coworker who is just too anxious sometimes. And the way things are going with instant info, social media, it will probably get worse than better for the next 10 years. However this book is practical, quick reads about what you can do to offer someone in need. The "aww dont worry about it approach" that most have used is generally not the best remedy for someone. Instead offer some more of the specific techniques here: breathing exercises, physical exersises, meditative journaling and suggestive counseling are all talked about in this book.
Anyone out there will will either themselves, a family member, friend or coworker who is just too anxious sometimes. And the way things are going with instant info, social media, it will probably get worse than better for the next 10 years. However this book is practical, quick reads about what you can do to offer someone in need. The "aww dont worry about it approach" that most have used is generally not the best remedy for someone. Instead offer some more of the specific techniques here: breathing exercises, physical exersises, meditative journaling and suggestive counseling are all talked about in this book.
April 10, 2025
I found this book just walking through Walmart. I saw that the publisher was Tyndale so I decided to give it a chance. it has a lot of good tangible tools to help calm your thoughts and your body in the moment. it also has a lot of insight on long-term care for your body and your brain when you're dealing with anxiety. I would say this book would be helpful for those with clinical anxiety and those who just deal with what could be called normal life anxiety. It would also be helpful for family members of those who struggle with mental illness.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved it. Couldn't put it down. I will read it again. I have a copy in my library. I save this rating for my absolute favorite books.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Enjoyed it. really good information, I found it helpful.
⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Glad I read it, but won't read again.
⭐⭐: Finished it, just ok.
⭐: I didn't like it, don't recommend it. Probably didn't finish it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved it. Couldn't put it down. I will read it again. I have a copy in my library. I save this rating for my absolute favorite books.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Enjoyed it. really good information, I found it helpful.
⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Glad I read it, but won't read again.
⭐⭐: Finished it, just ok.
⭐: I didn't like it, don't recommend it. Probably didn't finish it.
September 21, 2022
This a really good book that I have been reading with a client who struggles with anxiety. It has some wonderful ideas about how to take care of your brain and manage stress or anxiety.
I felt uneasy reading the author’s comments about medication. I whole heartedly agree that often we need to change our habits and our environment, and deal with past traumas, in order to take better care of our brains. I do however know many people, including counsellors, who do make a conscious effort to care for their brains and still require medication. If you are taking medication to help you with your mental health and you are worried about it, I recommend that you speak to your doctor about your concerns before you make any changes.
I felt uneasy reading the author’s comments about medication. I whole heartedly agree that often we need to change our habits and our environment, and deal with past traumas, in order to take better care of our brains. I do however know many people, including counsellors, who do make a conscious effort to care for their brains and still require medication. If you are taking medication to help you with your mental health and you are worried about it, I recommend that you speak to your doctor about your concerns before you make any changes.
November 12, 2024
Nice book on strategies to manage anxiety and worry. Dr. Amen draws on scripture, his extensive research on the brain and psychology to provide practical and helpful tips for how to manage stress. Sometimes I felt it was a little general, but I still appreciated everything he wrote and learned some new things too.
Really liked the section on viewing situations through the ABC method as well as the importance of optimism but not being “blindly optimistic.” Confronting ANTs and learning about all the different species was great too. And who knew going outside barefoot decreases anxiety, how fun.
So if you want a short and sweet read to help you live your best life, this book is for you! Highly recommend!
Really liked the section on viewing situations through the ABC method as well as the importance of optimism but not being “blindly optimistic.” Confronting ANTs and learning about all the different species was great too. And who knew going outside barefoot decreases anxiety, how fun.
So if you want a short and sweet read to help you live your best life, this book is for you! Highly recommend!
December 23, 2024
I picked this book up while waiting in the airport looking to kill some time. It’s a short and simple read (I finished it during my 2.5 hour flight home)
The principles and actions steps in this book are clear and well articulated. I’ll be putting many of the lessons learned to use immediately. This is a highly actionable self help book.
Dr. Amen reminds us in this book that some of the simplest actions and behaviors can make the biggest difference in our wellbeing. I’m glad that I came across this book - it left me feeling more hopeful for the future and excited to put some of the action steps to work.
The principles and actions steps in this book are clear and well articulated. I’ll be putting many of the lessons learned to use immediately. This is a highly actionable self help book.
Dr. Amen reminds us in this book that some of the simplest actions and behaviors can make the biggest difference in our wellbeing. I’m glad that I came across this book - it left me feeling more hopeful for the future and excited to put some of the action steps to work.
January 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It was very helpful. A lot of the tools he teaches you, I’ve learned in therapy (I have cPTSD, anxiety, & depression). It’s a very good starting point, if you haven’t been to therapy and/or can’t afford it. His unique take on similar coping strategies left me with a new perspective as to how I can better use what I’ve learned in therapy to feel more calm (especially useful during flashbacks that I previously couldn’t bring myself back from very well). There was very little that I skipped/didn’t care for in the book. I didn’t read the last chapter on prayers, because I’m not religious. More so, spiritual? Overall, though, it’s a great short read!
July 22, 2023
This book has some information that i found to be very helpful. There are plenty of small things to do that this book taught me. As someone who struggles with mental health i find myself now regularly practicing the things I learned from this book.
I must say that it has a decent handful of religious mentions. Personally i’m not ver religious and truthfully found myself skipping over those parts and still found a lot of helpful information from this book.
I must say that it has a decent handful of religious mentions. Personally i’m not ver religious and truthfully found myself skipping over those parts and still found a lot of helpful information from this book.
July 15, 2024
A book with such joy, logic and facts, something truly special for anyone who suffers from anxiety and panic disorders. I found each chapter leaving me with more knowledge than the last. Acronims used and analogies too is truly something for you. As said if you suffer and are looking for new thought patterns and techniques you will most certainly find that here!
September 25, 2024
We are safe and secure
We are healthy and strong
We are happy and purposeful
We are at peace
Finished this book in about a day. I feel like I learned some worthwhile techniques that will contribute to my overall wellbeing. I will have to leave an update if I notice any changes after implementing some of these techniques into my daily routine.
We are healthy and strong
We are happy and purposeful
We are at peace
Finished this book in about a day. I feel like I learned some worthwhile techniques that will contribute to my overall wellbeing. I will have to leave an update if I notice any changes after implementing some of these techniques into my daily routine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2021
This is a short book that explains the causes of worry and anxiety and gives tips on how to control your brain for the better. This is all backed up with scientific studies and scriptures mixed in. I think this book offers a good start to overcome anxiety.
January 3, 2021
Best self help book?
I really enjoyed this book. I would totally recommend it to anyone, even if you don’t have anxiety. It talks about ways to manage and prevent anxiety. So if you go book shopping and see this book, grab it please you will not regret it.
I really enjoyed this book. I would totally recommend it to anyone, even if you don’t have anxiety. It talks about ways to manage and prevent anxiety. So if you go book shopping and see this book, grab it please you will not regret it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2023
Lately I find anxiety is the worst hindrance to living a free and truly contented life. This was a great read to remind myself to, well, just not worry so much and have fun and is that EVER so hard to practice, much easier to say!
August 29, 2020
I didn't care for the Bible verses throughout the book, but the science and the techniques are excellent!
September 1, 2021
A great book of techniques and coaching to ease anxiety attacks
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews