Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 30:658, 2009Copyright © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.ISSN: 0161-2840 print/ 1096-4673 onlineDOI: 10.1080/01612840903078977

Book Review

Edited by

Lora Humphrey Beebe, PhD, PMHNP-BCUniversity of Tennessee, College of Nursing, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management TechniquesMargaret Wehrenberg, PsyDW. W. Norton & Company, New York, 2008ISBN: 978-0-393-70556-0Reviewed by Sandra M. Gossler, PhD, APRN, IBCLC, Uni-versity of Tennessee, College of Nursing, Knoxville, Tennessee,USA

Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD, is a practicing clinical psychol-ogist who specializes in treating clients with trauma and anxietydisorders. Her clinical work and publications have establishedher as a preferred presenter for various clinical and organiza-tional conferences. She is the author of two other books onthe neurobiology of anxiety and effective anxiety managementstrategies.

In The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques, Dr.Wehrenberg provides readers with a direct and helpful explana-tion of how anxiety affects the body and mind, and the resultingbehaviors, as well as how the reader can make changes to man-age these effects. In the introduction, Dr. Wehrenberg describesher own struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. Knowing thatthe author has personal as well as professional experience withthese difficulties draws the reader into the book.

The book is divided into four parts. In the first part, thechemical and biological functions of the brain and their role arepresented. This material is critical to understanding the why ofanxiety. This section may be difficult for the general reader, asthe chemical pathways can be complex and convoluted. A briefintroduction to anxiety medications and their uses is includedin this section. Specific drugs and their functions in anxietyand panic are explained; however, prescriptive information is

lacking. At the end of the chapter, the reader is advised toconsult with their medical professional before starting any psy-chotherapy or medication.

Part II of the book focuses on the body. Four specific tech-niques for calming and quieting the body are given. The authorencourages the reader to examine nutritional intake, to learn howto calm and control breathing, and to practice paying attention towhat triggers anxiety. Specific step-by-step directions on howto practice and accomplish these techniques are provided.

Part III focuses on how anxiety is influenced by the mindor the thought process. Changing one’s self-talk using thoughtreplacements is discussed. The reader is shown techniques forchanging the focus and attention of their anxiety. The author ex-plains the chemical changes that occur when thought processeschange, and how they affect the experience of anxiety.

The final section of the book encourages the reader to ex-amine their own life and identify what specifically contributesto their anxiety. In the final chapter, the reader is encouragedto make a plan, practice that plan, and then implement thatplan. Overall this book is a good “workbook” to understandinganxiety and how to mange it.

One of the best features of this book is the supplementaryinformation. The author provides a section of reading resourcesdivided by topic. Included are websites, telephone numbers, andaddresses of various organizations and groups. In addition, theauthor provides an extensive reference list as well as an easy touse index for rapid identification of specific topics in the book.This book is a good reference guide for those experiencinganxiety and panic. The reader is encouraged to practice thetechniques and reminded that managing anxiety is an ongoing,long-term process.

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