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Get Out of Your Head: A Toolkit for Living with and Overcoming Anxiety
Stop letting anxiety run your life.
If you're like one of the millions of Americans who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks every year, you probably spend too much time in your own head. Though our minds are great places to solve complex problems, they’re borderline destructive when it comes to handling fear and anxiety.
The reason for this is as perplexing and terrifying as it may be, fear is but a feeling, and you cannot “solve” feelings. All you can do is choose to focus on them or let them be. Unfortunately, so many of us opt for the former route, overanalyzing fear endlessly, helplessly plunging ourselves into further spirals of darkness and anxiety. Not only is this no way to live, but it’s also no way to approach fear, for until we break out of such apprehensive thinking, it will only continue to drag us down further and further.
Thus, in order to alleviate anxiety, we must break free from these fear cycles. But how? That's exactly what you'll discover in this book. As you read this relatable self-help title, you'll Ready to get started? Then scroll up and hit the "buy now" button to grab your copy and move closer to making those fear cycles a thing of the past.
If you're like one of the millions of Americans who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks every year, you probably spend too much time in your own head. Though our minds are great places to solve complex problems, they’re borderline destructive when it comes to handling fear and anxiety.
The reason for this is as perplexing and terrifying as it may be, fear is but a feeling, and you cannot “solve” feelings. All you can do is choose to focus on them or let them be. Unfortunately, so many of us opt for the former route, overanalyzing fear endlessly, helplessly plunging ourselves into further spirals of darkness and anxiety. Not only is this no way to live, but it’s also no way to approach fear, for until we break out of such apprehensive thinking, it will only continue to drag us down further and further.
Thus, in order to alleviate anxiety, we must break free from these fear cycles. But how? That's exactly what you'll discover in this book. As you read this relatable self-help title, you'll Ready to get started? Then scroll up and hit the "buy now" button to grab your copy and move closer to making those fear cycles a thing of the past.
241 pages, Paperback
First published December 11, 2018
172 people are currently reading
2627 people want to read
About the author
Brian Sachetta
2 books66 followersBrian Sachetta is an author, blogger, and software developer from Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Boston College in 2012 with a degree in management and computer science.
After college, Brian put his CS background to use as both a consultant and a writer. His book series, "Get Out of Your Head," draws parallels between computer systems and the human mind and gives readers practical strategies for overcoming anxiety and depression.
Much of Brian's writing focuses on health, wellness, and personal development. He is passionate about using his skills to positively influence the lives of others.
After college, Brian put his CS background to use as both a consultant and a writer. His book series, "Get Out of Your Head," draws parallels between computer systems and the human mind and gives readers practical strategies for overcoming anxiety and depression.
Much of Brian's writing focuses on health, wellness, and personal development. He is passionate about using his skills to positively influence the lives of others.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 6, 2020
Most self-help books that I've read on the topic of anxiety are written by a doctor or some other sort of medical professional. While that training obviously gives a deep insight into the mechanics of what is going on, it can also sometimes cause the material to come off as a bit mechanical. Here, author Brian Sachetta is just a "normal guy" who has made it a life goal to conquer his anxiety, as a result producing a text here that is very relatable.
"Get Out of Your Head" is organized around two basic principles:
1. Don't try to "fight through" anxiety, as that only makes the process worse; and
2. Don't try to mentally think through your anxieties (harkening back to the title), as it will only lead to a further trip down the rabbit hole of worry.
I found Sachetta's musings on both of those topics to be interesting, relatable, and very helpful in my own anxiety battles. He combines humor, emotion, and strong writing in general (along with steps to actually implement his processes) to craft a fine self-help tome here.
Overall, what was refreshing about "Get Out of Your Head" is that it wasn't overly clinical, nor was it trying to sell the reader on any plan or program. It is, quite simply, the musings of a man who has struggled with anxiety and wants to impart his knowledge with others.
"Get Out of Your Head" is organized around two basic principles:
1. Don't try to "fight through" anxiety, as that only makes the process worse; and
2. Don't try to mentally think through your anxieties (harkening back to the title), as it will only lead to a further trip down the rabbit hole of worry.
I found Sachetta's musings on both of those topics to be interesting, relatable, and very helpful in my own anxiety battles. He combines humor, emotion, and strong writing in general (along with steps to actually implement his processes) to craft a fine self-help tome here.
Overall, what was refreshing about "Get Out of Your Head" is that it wasn't overly clinical, nor was it trying to sell the reader on any plan or program. It is, quite simply, the musings of a man who has struggled with anxiety and wants to impart his knowledge with others.
August 6, 2020
In a world where we need to embrace and handle change, the unknown or unfamiliar may affect us and make us feel anxious. And this is when the primitive "fight or flight" mechanisms of panic may set in.
According to the author, who has hard-won experience from his own life, if we know how to deal with anxiety, panic attacks, and O.C.D, an aspect of which is "ruminating" or "over-thinking," then we will arm ourselves with the knowledge to cope better and achieve better outcomes for ourselves.
This well-written book is a tool-kit, in other words, one size does not fit all.
I believe that it is a useful guide to dip into when you need it.
The author's ten-point plan is a handy abbreviated summary of the main strategies that will give you coping mechanisms to handle any situation that appears to be daunting, whether it is a first date, a job interview or making that first speech or presentation.
According to the author, who has hard-won experience from his own life, if we know how to deal with anxiety, panic attacks, and O.C.D, an aspect of which is "ruminating" or "over-thinking," then we will arm ourselves with the knowledge to cope better and achieve better outcomes for ourselves.
This well-written book is a tool-kit, in other words, one size does not fit all.
I believe that it is a useful guide to dip into when you need it.
The author's ten-point plan is a handy abbreviated summary of the main strategies that will give you coping mechanisms to handle any situation that appears to be daunting, whether it is a first date, a job interview or making that first speech or presentation.
May 27, 2020
Surprisingly Excellent Personal and Practical Book on Anxiety
I adore reading nonfiction, and unfortunately, much of what I read seems to look at the subject superficially, as if the author were trying to make a quick buck on a popular topic or trend. That's why I found this book a particular delight, despite its subject matter. This book results from the author’s 10-year deep-dive research looking into anxiety and panic attacks so he could relieve his own. He has analyzed and distilled his learning into ways that have worked for him to overcome anxiety when it happens in a particular situation as well as looking at ways to decrease it in the long term. The book is imbued with personal stories and well-referenced research. He also gives you specific steps and actions to take to help decrease your anxiety in the short and long terms. Sometimes books that are so grounded in the author's life experience can have an imbalance between the sharing of the author's story and the practical applications for the reader. The author has managed to walk that tightrope perfectly. I think this book would be helpful both for people who have occasional anxiety as well as those who suffer from clinical anxiety. Thanks, Mr. Sachetta, for turning your suffering into something that could help others!
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
I adore reading nonfiction, and unfortunately, much of what I read seems to look at the subject superficially, as if the author were trying to make a quick buck on a popular topic or trend. That's why I found this book a particular delight, despite its subject matter. This book results from the author’s 10-year deep-dive research looking into anxiety and panic attacks so he could relieve his own. He has analyzed and distilled his learning into ways that have worked for him to overcome anxiety when it happens in a particular situation as well as looking at ways to decrease it in the long term. The book is imbued with personal stories and well-referenced research. He also gives you specific steps and actions to take to help decrease your anxiety in the short and long terms. Sometimes books that are so grounded in the author's life experience can have an imbalance between the sharing of the author's story and the practical applications for the reader. The author has managed to walk that tightrope perfectly. I think this book would be helpful both for people who have occasional anxiety as well as those who suffer from clinical anxiety. Thanks, Mr. Sachetta, for turning your suffering into something that could help others!
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
June 30, 2020
Found this book in a Goodreads giveaway I didn't win. I had just been told by a doctor that I suffered from anxiety attacks, never realizing it myself. This is a great book by someone who experiences anxiety, not some medically educated person. This book has convinced me that the doctor who just told me I suffer from anxiety is correct! And, I've been suffering for many years, just didn't realize it. Like the author, I've worked thru difficult times and, unbeknownst to me, have grown each time. Thanks to Brian, I will continue to grow, learn and live with this.
May 6, 2020
Interesting to discovery there tenets of anxiety and explaining how they appear in the minds. The interaction between systems: autonomous nervous system (NPS), sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS).... are clear and well-defined "fight or flight" decision.
Almost people know or be known fear is one of tenet/source of anxiety, accepted this, and don't go to find another source. This book is very different in this book; like fear, the uncertainty establishes our anxiety.
10 steps to overcome anxiety are useful and some steps are similar to mindfulness and I recognize some 3 steps first are very similar to "Risk Management framework", and using state flow explaining the loop in mind is very clear. (maybe I study about computer too)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Almost people know or be known fear is one of tenet/source of anxiety, accepted this, and don't go to find another source. This book is very different in this book; like fear, the uncertainty establishes our anxiety.
10 steps to overcome anxiety are useful and some steps are similar to mindfulness and I recognize some 3 steps first are very similar to "Risk Management framework", and using state flow explaining the loop in mind is very clear. (maybe I study about computer too)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 3, 2019
As someone who has faced down the black dog of anxiety and suicidal depression, I recommend this book for Brian’s well thought out and presented treatise on how possible it actually is to get out of your head.
Thank you Brian
Thank you Brian
May 9, 2020
Well worth reading. Dealing with anxiety is never easy at the best of times. Learning techniques that will alter one's perspectives and perception of what is acceptable and what we can and can not cope with must be important. Methods that teach means of handling anxiety is the subject of this book. I was really impressed with the amount of practical information and advice I found and I think that at the present time, the pandemic will have a lasting legacy of fear, anxiety, isolation, loneliness, all facets of mental health issues which will need to be self-diagnosed and treated as hospitals are now practically closed for anything else other than Covid-19 infections. This book is a very useful aid in adopting a mindset that will equip the reader to help manage anxiety.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 21, 2020
Good starter Self Help Book
I received this book for free as part of a contest on Goodreads.
I could both relate and struggled to relate with the author’s experiences. Anxiety is an old, old friend but the author used his life as personal examples, and I don’t have a lot in common with the average young adult male. That said, the author offered some great strategies to cope with anxiety, and this book would be beneficial for a young man who is dealing with anxiety and lacking coping skills.
It is clear in the writing that the author put his heart and soul into sharing his personal life lessons and strategies, and I am sure that this book will be helpful to others struggling with anxiety.
I received this book for free as part of a contest on Goodreads.
I could both relate and struggled to relate with the author’s experiences. Anxiety is an old, old friend but the author used his life as personal examples, and I don’t have a lot in common with the average young adult male. That said, the author offered some great strategies to cope with anxiety, and this book would be beneficial for a young man who is dealing with anxiety and lacking coping skills.
It is clear in the writing that the author put his heart and soul into sharing his personal life lessons and strategies, and I am sure that this book will be helpful to others struggling with anxiety.
May 24, 2020
I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
This book was around 3.5 stars for me.
I appreciate how open and honest the author was with this struggles with anxiety. He shares anecdotes about his experiences and what has worked for him.
This toolkit it a sort of anxiety 101. I can see how it would help a lot of people but is not a one size fits all approach. There is helpful information in defining anxiety and talking about ways it pops up in peoples lives. There are also helpful tips on how to identify and manage it.
While the book isn't super in depth I don't think it needs to be. This is a book on what worked for the author and how it can be applied to your life.
This book was around 3.5 stars for me.
I appreciate how open and honest the author was with this struggles with anxiety. He shares anecdotes about his experiences and what has worked for him.
This toolkit it a sort of anxiety 101. I can see how it would help a lot of people but is not a one size fits all approach. There is helpful information in defining anxiety and talking about ways it pops up in peoples lives. There are also helpful tips on how to identify and manage it.
While the book isn't super in depth I don't think it needs to be. This is a book on what worked for the author and how it can be applied to your life.
May 10, 2021
I really appreciated how this book wasn’t full of just some simple “think positively. That’s it” mumbo jumbo. Sachetta really went in depth about his experience with anxiety attacks and thoroughly outlined a process for overcoming in the moment. It’s truly perfect. I didn’t feel judged for wanting help on understanding how to get out of my head. I’m so tired of people saying “just do it” like it’s simple. This was handled with so much compassion. I’m ready to try it out and see what works for me in my heady moments.
The only thing that annoyed me was the constant Tess references. Like OKAYYY I get it lol.
The only thing that annoyed me was the constant Tess references. Like OKAYYY I get it lol.
August 2, 2020
Helpful
This book is helpful for people trying to overcome anxiety. I believe that anxiety is ones worst enemy. It requires immediate attention, before it penetrates deep into ones inner-self and starts to control his/her life. This book lays out a good strategy to overcome stress and anxiety. Recommended!
This book is helpful for people trying to overcome anxiety. I believe that anxiety is ones worst enemy. It requires immediate attention, before it penetrates deep into ones inner-self and starts to control his/her life. This book lays out a good strategy to overcome stress and anxiety. Recommended!
December 2, 2021
My ex got this for me. I thought it was fine. I really think the authors 10 steps to getting out of your head list will be really helpful to me. The author mostly talked about situations that can cause anxiety like dates and skydiving. Which is fine but my anxiety is constant. It’s a constant sense of dread. So somewhat helpful but not quite what I needed.
June 3, 2020
Very good book on mental health.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews