Anyone who has experienced excessive worry or panic attacks knows how debilitating it can be. In those moments, it’s hard to imagine the light at the end of the tunnel. If only you could have your therapist on speed dial, right? While there is tremendous value in therapy (and we are not suggesting to stop seeing yours!) sometimes we all need a little extra support when it comes to mental health. And that’s where books for anxiety comes in. Here are 15 books written by experts to support you on your healing journey: Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
Best books for anxiety
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Written by one of the world’s leading spiritual teachers, The Power of Now helps readers tap into their true nature and connect to the present moment—the place where true happiness lies. Tolle explains how the mind can trick us and what we need to do in order to take our power back. This book gives readers the tools to become enlightened, empowered and embrace a more mindful way of living. Check out The Power of Now here.
Don’t Feed the Monkey Mind by Jennifer Shannon
In this book, psychotherapist Jennifer Shannon, provides actionable steps to overcome anxious thinking, what she refers to as “the monkey mind.” Through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), commitment therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques, Shannon teaches you how to stop feeding the monkey mind. One of the main messages is that you need to face your fear head-on in order to heal. It is only then that you can grow and evolve into the person you are meant to be. Check out Don’t Feed the Monkey Mind here.
Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks by Barry McDonagh
When many people feel anxious, they do one of two things: avoid it or feed into it. And both approaches are harmful to your mental health. Author Barry McDonagh invites readers to dig deep and discover their inner strength. Because anxiety is only as powerful as you make it. As an added bonus, Dare also comes with a free app and audiobook with tips and techniques to reduce anxiety. Check out Dare here.
Hope and Help for Your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes
If you’ve ever suffered from anxiety, then you’re familiar with the symptoms: a racing heart, tension headaches, knots in your stomach and the list goes on. In this book, Dr. Claire Weekes shares her expertise from years of treating patients with a step-by-step guide—a guide that teaches readers more about the symptoms and how to manage your nerves. Check out Hope and Help for Your Nerves here.
Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief: A Revolutionary Approach to Understanding and Healing the Impact of Loss by Claire Bidwell Smith
The first step to treating anxiety is finding what’s causing it. For many people, the source of anxiety has to do with loss and unresolved grief. Through research and real-life stories, author Claire Bidwell Smith explains the science behind anxiety and how to retrain your brain to effectively manage it. This book is filled with practical tools and smart strategies to help you on your healing journey. Check out Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief: A Revolutionary Approach to Understanding and Healing the Impact of Loss here.
My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread and the Search for Peace of Mind by Scott Stossel
Drawing from his personal experience, Stossel looks at anxiety from all angles: physical, cultural, and medical - dating back to reports as early as Hippocrates to modern research from neuroscientists and geneticists. My Age of Anxiety accurately showcases the toll anxiety can take on an individual’s mental health, sending the message that you are not alone. Most importantly, Stossel outlines how to combat anxiety and enjoy a more peaceful state of mind. Check out My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread and the Search for Peace of Mind here.
Declutter Your Mind by S.J. Scott
Let’s face it: we all have negative thoughts. The problem becomes if you experience them on a daily basis. When you’re living in a constant state of stress and overwhelm, it will affect your overall quality of life. In this book, S.J. Scott encourages readers to practice mindfulness techniques to declutter your mind (literally). By getting rid of negative thoughts, you create space for a healthier, new way of thinking. Check out Declutter Your Mind here.
Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig
In today’s hectic, fast-paced society, feeling anxious and stressed is common. Author Matt Haig shares his experience with panic disorder, anxiety, and depression as an adult, and how his outer world negatively impacted his internal one. Notes on a Nervous Planet dives deeper into the digital world we live in, and specific tips for how we can become more mindful. Check out Notes on a Nervous Planet here.
From Panic to Power: Proven Techniques to Calm Your Anxieties, Conquer Your Fears, and Put You in Control of Your Life by Lucinda Bassett
While stress is inevitable, we can choose how we respond to it. Lucinda Basset shares proven techniques to help readers shift from a fear-based mindset to a positive and empowered state of mind. By raising your self-awareness, you can deal with your challenges in a healthier and more productive way. Check out From Panic to Power: Proven Techniques to Calm Your Anxieties, Conquer Your Fears, and Put You in Control of Your Life here.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne, PhD
One of the scariest parts of living with anxiety is the feeling that you don’t have control over your life. Edmund J. Bourne, PhD created this workbook with therapeutic techniques, mindfulness exercises and lifestyle types to help you take your power back. As an expert in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), this workbook is designed to help people with all types of anxiety: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more. Check out The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook here.
The Stress Proof Brain: Master Your Emotional Response to Stress Using Mindfulness and Neuroplasticity by Melanie Greenberg, PhD
Anyone who’s had anxiety knows the ripple effect it can have: fear, self-criticism, negative thinking, and so on. This book provides expert-backed exercises to help you manage your emotions and “stress-proof” your brain. Using neuroplasticity and mindfulness, you can become more resilient, and effectively deal with life’s challenges as they arise. Check out The Stress Proof Brain here. The Anxiety Toolkit: Strategies for Fine-Tuning Your Mind and Moving Past Your Stuck Points by Alice Boyes PhD If you’re prone to overthinking and tend to focus on the negative, you’re not alone. In The Anxiety Toolkit, Alice Boyes PhD, offers simple yet powerful tools you can use to shift your mindset. Boyes explains how anxiety works, why you’re feeling stuck and healthy coping strategies to find inner peace. Check out The Anxiety Toolkit here.
The Worry Trick: How Your Brain Tricks You Into Expecting the Worst and What You Can Do About Itby David A. Carbonell PhD
Anxiety often causes excessive worrying, which can damage your self-esteem and hinder your happiness over time. In this book, David A Carbonell PhD utilizes psychological principles from commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to stop negative thinking in its tracks. Filled with stress management and mindfulness tips, you can rewire your brain to focus on the positive. Check out The Worry Trick: How Your Brain Tricks You Into Expecting the Worst and What You Can Do About It here.
First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety by Sarah Wilson
Before you can conquer a beast, you must first make it beautiful, according to ancient Chinese philosophy. When Sarah Wilson first read this proverb, it reminded her of her relationship with anxiety, and it was the start of her healing journey. In First, We Make the Beast Beautiful, Wilson explores anxiety triggers and treatments, interviewing people with anxiety and mental health experts. The takeaway: to live with “the beast”, you need to practice gratitude, eat foods that nourish the body, meditate, and embrace mindfulness. Check out First, We Make the Beast Beautiful: A New Journey Through Anxiety here.
On Edge: A Journey Through Anxiety by Andrea Peterson
Andrea Petersen was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder at 20 years old, and over time her symptoms continued to get worse. In an effort to understand more about this mental illness, Peterson researched the science behind anxiety, the role of genetics, and medicinal versus natural treatments. In this book, she shares advice from top neuroscientists, health experts and lessons she’s learned along the way. Check out On Edge: A Journey Through Anxiety here. Next, read 15 Anxiety Journals to Reduce Stress and Help You Feel a Little Calmer Right Now.
