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The Anxiety Audit: Seven Sneaky Ways Anxiety Takes Hold and How to Escape Them
Anxiety expert Lynn Lyons, whose advice appears regularly in Psychology Today and the New York Times, offers an eye-opening look at the 7 sneaky ways that anxiety and worry weave their way into our families, our friendships, and our jobs, and provides actionable steps to reverse the cycle and reclaim our emotional well-being.
Ask people to describe anxiety and they’ll start with the familiar physical symptoms: racing heart, sweaty palms, difficulty breathing. Anxiety, they might add, is “freaking out,” a panic attack, or a frightening loss of control. But anxiety isn’t always what we think it is, especially now. Anxiety has become the new normal, constant and simmering, disguising itself in patterns and responses we don’t even recognize as anxiety. These patterns include:
· Ruminating and worrying (and mistaking it for problem solving)
· Going global, or seeing the world through an overwhelming, all-or-nothing lens
· Isolating and disconnecting, all too common in our "new normal"
· Creating chaos and “busy-ness”, for example, over-scheduling and multitasking
· Embracing your irritability
· Confusing self-medication with self-care
The Anxiety Audit is a guide for us all: with no overly scientific or diagnostic language--just real talk and time-tested tactics from a respected therapist--it is a relatable and practical guide to untangling yourself from the grips of worry and fear.
Using stories, real-world examples, and helpful dialogues to retrain the way you think and react, trusted anxiety expert Lynn Lyons helps you recognize the sneaky ways these anxious patterns and cycles of worry take hold in your life. By making small and consistent adjustments, you can reverse their negative impacts and move forward with renewed clarity and confidence.
Ask people to describe anxiety and they’ll start with the familiar physical symptoms: racing heart, sweaty palms, difficulty breathing. Anxiety, they might add, is “freaking out,” a panic attack, or a frightening loss of control. But anxiety isn’t always what we think it is, especially now. Anxiety has become the new normal, constant and simmering, disguising itself in patterns and responses we don’t even recognize as anxiety. These patterns include:
· Ruminating and worrying (and mistaking it for problem solving)
· Going global, or seeing the world through an overwhelming, all-or-nothing lens
· Isolating and disconnecting, all too common in our "new normal"
· Creating chaos and “busy-ness”, for example, over-scheduling and multitasking
· Embracing your irritability
· Confusing self-medication with self-care
The Anxiety Audit is a guide for us all: with no overly scientific or diagnostic language--just real talk and time-tested tactics from a respected therapist--it is a relatable and practical guide to untangling yourself from the grips of worry and fear.
Using stories, real-world examples, and helpful dialogues to retrain the way you think and react, trusted anxiety expert Lynn Lyons helps you recognize the sneaky ways these anxious patterns and cycles of worry take hold in your life. By making small and consistent adjustments, you can reverse their negative impacts and move forward with renewed clarity and confidence.
224 pages, Paperback
Published October 18, 2022
111 people are currently reading
3129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 3, 2023
Tackle the source to decrease your irritability. Where do you need to say no? Where do you need to set boundaries? Are you creating a narrative in your head that's making life feel scary or anxiety provoking?
I was diagnosed with anxiety when I was a teen, but I initially resisted accepting it. Over time, I learned to manage it to some extent, but there were still moments when the pressure would overwhelm me, causing me to forget even simple things like my passcode. It's as if that information would be wiped from my mind and never return. It was during one of these challenging times that my mentor recommended "The Anxiety Audit" by Lynn Lyons. While it may not possess magical powers, this book proved to be a concise yet impactful resource.
The book begins by addressing the concept of repetitive negative thinking (RNT), which helped me recognize that I too was a partial RNT. From there, it skillfully guided me through an exploration of my own behaviors and their underlying causes. The author is a psychiatrist specializing in families, so she explains these concepts in a way that is relevant to both children and parents.
Beyond its focus on family dynamics, "The Anxiety Audit" provides a safe space for readers to explore their own behaviors. While it is unrealistic to expect a book to completely cure anxiety, it raises awareness and offers gradual steps towards breaking free from its grip. This was an invaluable aspect of the book.
In conclusion, Lynn Lyons' "The Anxiety Audit" is a brief yet powerful book. It enabled me to understand and address my anxiety by delving into my behaviors and their origins. While it may not offer a cure, it serves as an essential tool for becoming more self-aware and gradually overcoming anxiety.
Human beings are regulated by potent and primitive interactions between our eyes and our brains, light and darkness. We are ruled by our circadian rhythms because it's literally how the world works: the movement between day and night.
A study done in 2021 looked at phone use before bed and found that the blue light didn't help - but it was not the only factor delaying sleep onset. "While there is a lot of evidence suggesting that blue light increases alertness and makes it more difficult to fall asleep, it is important to think about what portion of that stimulation is light emission versus other cognitive and psychological stimulations".
I was diagnosed with anxiety when I was a teen, but I initially resisted accepting it. Over time, I learned to manage it to some extent, but there were still moments when the pressure would overwhelm me, causing me to forget even simple things like my passcode. It's as if that information would be wiped from my mind and never return. It was during one of these challenging times that my mentor recommended "The Anxiety Audit" by Lynn Lyons. While it may not possess magical powers, this book proved to be a concise yet impactful resource.
The book begins by addressing the concept of repetitive negative thinking (RNT), which helped me recognize that I too was a partial RNT. From there, it skillfully guided me through an exploration of my own behaviors and their underlying causes. The author is a psychiatrist specializing in families, so she explains these concepts in a way that is relevant to both children and parents.
Beyond its focus on family dynamics, "The Anxiety Audit" provides a safe space for readers to explore their own behaviors. While it is unrealistic to expect a book to completely cure anxiety, it raises awareness and offers gradual steps towards breaking free from its grip. This was an invaluable aspect of the book.
In conclusion, Lynn Lyons' "The Anxiety Audit" is a brief yet powerful book. It enabled me to understand and address my anxiety by delving into my behaviors and their origins. While it may not offer a cure, it serves as an essential tool for becoming more self-aware and gradually overcoming anxiety.
Human beings are regulated by potent and primitive interactions between our eyes and our brains, light and darkness. We are ruled by our circadian rhythms because it's literally how the world works: the movement between day and night.
A study done in 2021 looked at phone use before bed and found that the blue light didn't help - but it was not the only factor delaying sleep onset. "While there is a lot of evidence suggesting that blue light increases alertness and makes it more difficult to fall asleep, it is important to think about what portion of that stimulation is light emission versus other cognitive and psychological stimulations".
February 15, 2023
This book was exactly what I needed to read as a therapist, a mother, and someone who struggles with anxiety. It’s like she was speaking directly to me! If I could, I’d buy this book for most of my clients. Excited to put these ideas into practice.
October 31, 2023
Some good ideas in here, but a bit bland, maybe even a bit moralizing at times
November 12, 2023
The Anxiety Audit: Seven Sneaky Ways Anxiety Takes Hold and How to Escape Them by Lynn Lyons, LICSW
6h 14m narrated by the author, 224 pages
Genre: Self-Help, Anxiety > Emotions, Treatments; Self-Improvement, Psychology
Featuring: Disclaimer, Forward, Introduction, Stories, Psychotherapist, Epigraphs, Ruminators, Worriers, Sticky Brain, Negative Thinkers, Catastrophizers, Anxiety Sensitivity, Global Views, Executive Functioning, Sequencing, Perfectionism, Cutting Corners, Questions For Pondering & Journaling, Quotes, Irritability, Highjacked Self-Care, The Brain Has No Off Switch, Catastrophes Await, Going Global, Inner Isolation and Disconnection, Creating Chaos and the Lure of Busyness
Rating as a movie: PG-13
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟😰
My thoughts: 📱20% 1:14:17 Ch. 2: Catastrophes Await - A lot of gems here. I totally see this as a 3-5 day read. The chapters are long and there's a lot to absorb.
📱50% 3:06:57 Ch. 4: Inner Isolation and Disconnection - This is a great book. I think it has the same approach as John Delony's books with more clinical explanations. I could be done tomorrow and it will feel too soon, there is something comforting about this information.
This was a great read. I think this is the perfect book to read for self-reflection.
Recommend to others: Yes! I highly recommend this book and it's not limited to people with clinical anxiety, it's for everyone.
6h 14m narrated by the author, 224 pages
Genre: Self-Help, Anxiety > Emotions, Treatments; Self-Improvement, Psychology
Featuring: Disclaimer, Forward, Introduction, Stories, Psychotherapist, Epigraphs, Ruminators, Worriers, Sticky Brain, Negative Thinkers, Catastrophizers, Anxiety Sensitivity, Global Views, Executive Functioning, Sequencing, Perfectionism, Cutting Corners, Questions For Pondering & Journaling, Quotes, Irritability, Highjacked Self-Care, The Brain Has No Off Switch, Catastrophes Await, Going Global, Inner Isolation and Disconnection, Creating Chaos and the Lure of Busyness
Rating as a movie: PG-13
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟😰
My thoughts: 📱20% 1:14:17 Ch. 2: Catastrophes Await - A lot of gems here. I totally see this as a 3-5 day read. The chapters are long and there's a lot to absorb.
📱50% 3:06:57 Ch. 4: Inner Isolation and Disconnection - This is a great book. I think it has the same approach as John Delony's books with more clinical explanations. I could be done tomorrow and it will feel too soon, there is something comforting about this information.
This was a great read. I think this is the perfect book to read for self-reflection.
Recommend to others: Yes! I highly recommend this book and it's not limited to people with clinical anxiety, it's for everyone.
November 23, 2023
Probably the only "self-help" book I've opened that uses research and sourced data for her claims.
Actually presents the problem, gives an example or two, shows how this affects one's life, and then provides options to improve the situation.
This book raked my ass over coals. Thank you.
Actually presents the problem, gives an example or two, shows how this affects one's life, and then provides options to improve the situation.
This book raked my ass over coals. Thank you.
February 7, 2023
See my review on Audible!
A must- read for those with anxiety -- and also those too- busy, have to have things "just so" rigid people who don't even realize that they have anxiety!
A must- read for those with anxiety -- and also those too- busy, have to have things "just so" rigid people who don't even realize that they have anxiety!
January 24, 2024
HIGHLY recommend! She provides lots of information, research, and questions to ponder.
December 29, 2023
This book was so useful and compassionate actually.
April 28, 2024
Pretty interesting and the author did a good job making the book fun and easy to read. Still prefer fiction tho so it wasn’t my favorite book. 🤷🏼♀️
February 4, 2024
meh, better takeaways from the first half than from the second. well written and researched though, and definitely a good “baby’s first anxiety book” for anyone looking for an intro text.
September 29, 2023
Really useful info and helped me self reflect. I liked the questions at the end of each chapter and I’ve thought of some personal slogans to keep me more aware/check myself in times of anxious states. I think anyone would benefit from this read!!
October 3, 2024
This is a great book for anyone who struggles with anxiety. It has some useful tools and helps you think about your anxiety in a different way.
June 21, 2022
As someone who struggles with anxiety I knew I had to read The Anxiety Audit. This is a deep dive into the causes of anxiety and it is very informative. It is good to know that I’m not alone, and I found myself nodding throughout the book. It is obvious that Ms. Lyons knows her stuff, and she provides very useful and practical tips that can be easily used by anyone. I’ve starting applying some of her tips in my own life and have already started seeing some improvements. I plan on rereading this one again and again as needed. This book will be life changing for anyone struggling with anxiety.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
December 7, 2022
One of the best books on anxiety. Solid insights, research, and tools. I’ve been recommending this book to clients who struggle with anxious patterns.
May 28, 2024
Jesus Christ, I hate self help books… this one was mostly fine though.
November 18, 2023
I liked this book, but it was not clear to me who exactly the author thought she was writing the book for. I personally know people who fit the description of the anxious people described in this book. They are middle class, educated, professional, white women, with conventionally successful lives, living in leafy, American suburbs, married, sending their children to good schools and trying to ensure that their children go to good colleges and then are launched into successful lives like themselves. There definitely are lots of people who experience anxiety as described in this book who could probably benefit from reading this book. But I wasn't sure if everything in here was generalizable to people from different backgrounds or even to men.
I liked chapter five about the concept of being "busy." I have spent my whole life hearing people say they are "busy" in answer to the question "How are you?", and I have often wondered what that means.
My wondering was along these lines:
"Some people genuinely are busy. For example, a single parent with small children who works two jobs who also does volunteer work is busy. There are some people who do wake up in the morning and do stuff all day until they go to sleep at night. But curiously, these are often not the people who make it a point to say they’re busy. What does it mean most of the time when most people say they’re busy? It is true that everyone does something whenever they are awake, like getting food and drinks at a drive-through window, driving a car, talking on the telephone, working at a job, cleaning, cooking, watching television, reading a book or surfing the internet. But if you spend a few hours every day doing things that you’ve chosen to do, as opposed to things that you must do to survive, what exactly does it mean to say you’re “busy”? A lot of the time when people say they’re “busy,” this may simply mean that there are other things they’d rather be doing than interacting with you. People who are “busy” never seem to be too busy to do the things that they want to do. They’re only too busy to do the things they don’t want to do. In some cases, it’s just one of those polite lies that people tell. On the other hand, a lot of people genuinely believe that they are “busy.” Sometimes it is a lie people tell themselves. Some people just feel better about themselves if they think of themselves as busy. “I’ve been so busy” sounds better than “Yesterday I had nothing to do for two hours, so I read a book that was moderately interesting, and I watched a boring television program.” I think some people are bragging about how full their lives are when they say they are busy. Some people are busy because they’re inefficient. Maybe being busy doesn’t mean anything. It’s just something that people say when they don’t know what else to say."
After reading this book, I have a much better understanding of how "busyness" can be a manifestation of anxiety. I do know people who have spent their lives being anxiously busy. On the other hand, there are also people who seem to be very happily busy, so I would be hesitant to pathologize business, especially when people are busy doing productive things.
The last chapter was about taking drugs for anxiety, prescription drugs and also non-prescription drugs like alcohol and cannabis. Since this book was focused on anxiety, this chapter was mostly about whether drugs and alcohol make people less anxious or more anxious. I also think it's possible that drugs and/or alcohol could make a person less anxious but could impair the person in other ways unrelated to anxiety.
I liked chapter five about the concept of being "busy." I have spent my whole life hearing people say they are "busy" in answer to the question "How are you?", and I have often wondered what that means.
My wondering was along these lines:
"Some people genuinely are busy. For example, a single parent with small children who works two jobs who also does volunteer work is busy. There are some people who do wake up in the morning and do stuff all day until they go to sleep at night. But curiously, these are often not the people who make it a point to say they’re busy. What does it mean most of the time when most people say they’re busy? It is true that everyone does something whenever they are awake, like getting food and drinks at a drive-through window, driving a car, talking on the telephone, working at a job, cleaning, cooking, watching television, reading a book or surfing the internet. But if you spend a few hours every day doing things that you’ve chosen to do, as opposed to things that you must do to survive, what exactly does it mean to say you’re “busy”? A lot of the time when people say they’re “busy,” this may simply mean that there are other things they’d rather be doing than interacting with you. People who are “busy” never seem to be too busy to do the things that they want to do. They’re only too busy to do the things they don’t want to do. In some cases, it’s just one of those polite lies that people tell. On the other hand, a lot of people genuinely believe that they are “busy.” Sometimes it is a lie people tell themselves. Some people just feel better about themselves if they think of themselves as busy. “I’ve been so busy” sounds better than “Yesterday I had nothing to do for two hours, so I read a book that was moderately interesting, and I watched a boring television program.” I think some people are bragging about how full their lives are when they say they are busy. Some people are busy because they’re inefficient. Maybe being busy doesn’t mean anything. It’s just something that people say when they don’t know what else to say."
After reading this book, I have a much better understanding of how "busyness" can be a manifestation of anxiety. I do know people who have spent their lives being anxiously busy. On the other hand, there are also people who seem to be very happily busy, so I would be hesitant to pathologize business, especially when people are busy doing productive things.
The last chapter was about taking drugs for anxiety, prescription drugs and also non-prescription drugs like alcohol and cannabis. Since this book was focused on anxiety, this chapter was mostly about whether drugs and alcohol make people less anxious or more anxious. I also think it's possible that drugs and/or alcohol could make a person less anxious but could impair the person in other ways unrelated to anxiety.
September 21, 2023
Wow, what a great, helpful read! Chapters:
* The Brain Has No Off Switch
* Catastrophes Await
* Going Global
* Inner Isolation and Desolation
* Creating Chaos and The Lure of Busyness
* Irritability Plays the Blame Game
* How Self-Care Goes Awry
From my favorite, "The Lure of Busyness: Sneaky Pattern: How Being Busy and Overscheduled Both Add to and Masquerade Our Anxiety and Stress." "The Lure of More, The Myth of Multi-tasking." "Busyness Is The New In-ground Swimming Pool." "Busyness and Over-responsibility: The Curse of the People Pleaser." "Busyness Is Avoidance." "Busy or Still? Don't Go Global."
What to do?
* Ask the Hard Questions (and Listen to the Answers)
* Learn How to Say No and When to Say Yes
* Pay Attention to Multi-tasking
* Come Up With a Mantra and Keep it Short, Sweet, and Easy
Questions for Pondering and Journaling:
* What obligations would you like to let go of?
* What activities do you truly enjoy doing, and which are sheer obligational drudgery?
* Who will judge you the harshest for changing your pattern of busyness? Who won't?
* What can you predict you will notice first when you start to move out of this pattern?
* What will be a more long-term benefit that will appear over time?
* The Brain Has No Off Switch
* Catastrophes Await
* Going Global
* Inner Isolation and Desolation
* Creating Chaos and The Lure of Busyness
* Irritability Plays the Blame Game
* How Self-Care Goes Awry
From my favorite, "The Lure of Busyness: Sneaky Pattern: How Being Busy and Overscheduled Both Add to and Masquerade Our Anxiety and Stress." "The Lure of More, The Myth of Multi-tasking." "Busyness Is The New In-ground Swimming Pool." "Busyness and Over-responsibility: The Curse of the People Pleaser." "Busyness Is Avoidance." "Busy or Still? Don't Go Global."
What to do?
* Ask the Hard Questions (and Listen to the Answers)
* Learn How to Say No and When to Say Yes
* Pay Attention to Multi-tasking
* Come Up With a Mantra and Keep it Short, Sweet, and Easy
Questions for Pondering and Journaling:
* What obligations would you like to let go of?
* What activities do you truly enjoy doing, and which are sheer obligational drudgery?
* Who will judge you the harshest for changing your pattern of busyness? Who won't?
* What can you predict you will notice first when you start to move out of this pattern?
* What will be a more long-term benefit that will appear over time?
January 14, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Lynn Lyons’ work is a highly readable, entertaining, and well-researched self-help book about anxiety that maintains a focus on cognitive behavioural therapy combined with encouraging a gentle nudge to increased self-awareness and a better understanding of what self-care really is.
In particular the last two chapters (chapter 6 on irritability and chapter 7 on self-care) resonated with me the most:
“We are most often irritable when, day after day, we are trapped in the internal anxious patterns that exhaust and disconnect us , and at the same time need to manage the ongoing life obstacles [] that wear us down”. Pg 152-153
“If your ‘self-care’ is really a way to compensate for an actual lack of self-care, it’s not self-care”. Pg 169
The author’s method for tackling anxiety is simple and starts by recognizing repetitive negative thinking (RNT). She counsels the following, but assures the reader it requires plenty of practice.
- focus on the process not the content of the RNT
- externalize the RNT
- unhook and find something different on which to focus
Upon finishing Anxiety Audit I felt uplifted and encouraged that I don’t have to live my label.
Lynn Lyons’ work is a highly readable, entertaining, and well-researched self-help book about anxiety that maintains a focus on cognitive behavioural therapy combined with encouraging a gentle nudge to increased self-awareness and a better understanding of what self-care really is.
In particular the last two chapters (chapter 6 on irritability and chapter 7 on self-care) resonated with me the most:
“We are most often irritable when, day after day, we are trapped in the internal anxious patterns that exhaust and disconnect us , and at the same time need to manage the ongoing life obstacles [] that wear us down”. Pg 152-153
“If your ‘self-care’ is really a way to compensate for an actual lack of self-care, it’s not self-care”. Pg 169
The author’s method for tackling anxiety is simple and starts by recognizing repetitive negative thinking (RNT). She counsels the following, but assures the reader it requires plenty of practice.
- focus on the process not the content of the RNT
- externalize the RNT
- unhook and find something different on which to focus
Upon finishing Anxiety Audit I felt uplifted and encouraged that I don’t have to live my label.
January 14, 2023
READ IT
I picked this up at the library in the new non-fiction section during a visit to print some documents. I will admit to judging the book by its cover. "Huh, I'll pick this up but frankly I feel cool as a cucumber and probably won't learn anything."
Well actually the 7 sneaky ways that anxiety takes hold were all too familiar and perhaps more part of my life than I would have even known to admit. It's an easy and humorous read for anyone who is curious about anxiety or would like some more insight into managing their anxiety.
SPOILER ALERT: Here are the topics
1. Repetitive Negative Thinking ("problem solving" but really just consuming yourself with cyclic thoughts)
2. Catastrophizing (imagining, then mentally living through awful shit)
3. Global Thinking (all or nothing!!!)
4. Isolation (self-induced, social anxiety-driven isolation!)
5. Busyness as a lifestyle (do i need to explain this one?)
6. Irritability as a symptom of the anxious issues
7. Self care and self medication (everything from alcohol to prescription meds to exercise)
I picked this up at the library in the new non-fiction section during a visit to print some documents. I will admit to judging the book by its cover. "Huh, I'll pick this up but frankly I feel cool as a cucumber and probably won't learn anything."
Well actually the 7 sneaky ways that anxiety takes hold were all too familiar and perhaps more part of my life than I would have even known to admit. It's an easy and humorous read for anyone who is curious about anxiety or would like some more insight into managing their anxiety.
SPOILER ALERT: Here are the topics
1. Repetitive Negative Thinking ("problem solving" but really just consuming yourself with cyclic thoughts)
2. Catastrophizing (imagining, then mentally living through awful shit)
3. Global Thinking (all or nothing!!!)
4. Isolation (self-induced, social anxiety-driven isolation!)
5. Busyness as a lifestyle (do i need to explain this one?)
6. Irritability as a symptom of the anxious issues
7. Self care and self medication (everything from alcohol to prescription meds to exercise)
February 2, 2023
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book covers the different ways that anxiety can show up and how to work against them. Each chapter goes into the specific manner that anxiety works on a person. It then gives examples from her life and practice of people who have dealt with the same manner of anxiety issue. Finally, the author gives different methods to deal with that specific method of anxiety and a few prompts for journaling.
This book was very useful. It points out the less obvious ways that anxiety can take hold along with the more common ones. The suggestions for how to go against anxiety and how to stop it from taking hold are useful and easy to follow.
This is a good book for anyone who suffers from anxiety and would like help with how to deal with it.
This book covers the different ways that anxiety can show up and how to work against them. Each chapter goes into the specific manner that anxiety works on a person. It then gives examples from her life and practice of people who have dealt with the same manner of anxiety issue. Finally, the author gives different methods to deal with that specific method of anxiety and a few prompts for journaling.
This book was very useful. It points out the less obvious ways that anxiety can take hold along with the more common ones. The suggestions for how to go against anxiety and how to stop it from taking hold are useful and easy to follow.
This is a good book for anyone who suffers from anxiety and would like help with how to deal with it.
April 21, 2023
I read this as a result of going to a conference and meeting this author. I usually will not write a review about books I read for professional purposes, but I think this was well done for anyone dealing with a refreshing approach to dealing with emotional dysregulation. Although she markets this about anxiety, it really applies to all kinds of emotional struggles. I love that she writes from a non clinical standpoint and is not afraid to challenge some methods endorsed by many therapists. A good recommendation for anyone who wanted a bit of information on managing emotions or is in the position where they are supporting a loved one that struggles.
November 13, 2024
Targeted at more extreme anxiety disorders
I think most, if not all, people experience levels of unhealthy anxiety. The spectrum is very wide of course. Based on the title, I was expecting this book to provide insights and suggestions for many levels of anxiety, but it is focused on the debilitating levels. My guess was that people suffering extreme anxiety would seek professional help rather than reading a book, but maybe I'm wrong. Since I don't suffer from high levels of anxiety I was disappointed with this book based on my expectations. YMMV.
I think most, if not all, people experience levels of unhealthy anxiety. The spectrum is very wide of course. Based on the title, I was expecting this book to provide insights and suggestions for many levels of anxiety, but it is focused on the debilitating levels. My guess was that people suffering extreme anxiety would seek professional help rather than reading a book, but maybe I'm wrong. Since I don't suffer from high levels of anxiety I was disappointed with this book based on my expectations. YMMV.
August 12, 2023
I have a few pages in this book marked for hard times when my anxiety peaks. This book was like having my own personal therapist to work through some of my anxiety with and I've referenced it quite a few times.I just reviewed The Anxiety Audit by Lynn Lyons. #TheAnxietyAudit #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
[NetGalley URL]
March 11, 2024
Excellent read for all people who are or consider themselves to be anxious.
Especially the "I just don't want to think about it so I'll distract myself all the time and never be alone with my thoughts" set and the "I can't do anything about it, anxiety is who I am" cohort. Some gentle thematic pushback on those two prevalent attitudes throughout in the form of actionable steps and reflections.
Especially the "I just don't want to think about it so I'll distract myself all the time and never be alone with my thoughts" set and the "I can't do anything about it, anxiety is who I am" cohort. Some gentle thematic pushback on those two prevalent attitudes throughout in the form of actionable steps and reflections.
March 12, 2024
excellent and timely guide
Lynn Lyons gives immediate and long term goals for challenging our distorted thinking about what is desirable and good. She helps you recognize when anxiety has moved from a normal, if distressing emotion into a semi permanent state. Reading this helps not only ourselves but everyone in relationship with us.
Lynn Lyons gives immediate and long term goals for challenging our distorted thinking about what is desirable and good. She helps you recognize when anxiety has moved from a normal, if distressing emotion into a semi permanent state. Reading this helps not only ourselves but everyone in relationship with us.
August 8, 2024
This book instantly made me change the way I approach my own anxiety and the anxiety I notice in others. I really liked how it didn’t dismiss the feelings/patterns while also snapping me out of it. I don’t know if the changes will last, and I think I need to read it again, but I strongly recommend this book to anyone with anxiety.
August 23, 2025
I think this book had really solid information. If I had picked this book up 2 years ago, pre-therapy, I may have been more impressed. Reading it now I did a lot of nodding along "yep yep I know". It had good reminders and some helpful new concepts but nothing earth shattering. It does definitely cover some solid basics of anxiety, but reading a book will never replace quality therapy.
August 28, 2023
There are some solid chapters but there is a certain focus on anxiety that crushes your ability to do anything versus anxiety that gets stuck in your brain but you can still function thru. I may be the wrong audience as I was looking for the latter.
September 12, 2023
Love the author from her podcast and this can sometimes make reading the book dangerous territory, but this was an excellent expansion and deeper dive than the podcast. Definitely one to check back in with and read again.
September 25, 2023
This book is written by a licensed therapist. I found her opinions encouraging and helpful. I also found that I spaced out quite a bit listening to the second half of the book. Eventually, it will get a re-read from me.
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