HIGHLY COMMENDED for the British Medical Awards book prize for Popular Medicine Practical help for managing the after-effects of trauma Traumatic life experiences can lead to persistent change. Those affected may become numb and shut off from those around them and grief, guilt or shame may constantly weigh them down. Memories of horrifying scenes may intrude unexpectedly during waking hours. Sleep may be disturbed by vivid, unpleasant dreams. Sudden mood swings, emotional overwhelm, impaired concentration, dissociation or feelings of constant alert make living difficult. Traumatic stress responses, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD), are caused by our mind and body's attempts to cope with experiences of extreme danger. They can affect and overwhelm anyone and are not a sign of personal weakness. Written by an expert trauma therapist, this accessible self-help manual takes those affected by specific traumatic events on a journey of recovery and healing, based on the latest psychological research and advances in trauma therapy. This fully revised and updated edition includes: Clear explanations of the symptoms of trauma and how to recognize them Guidance on seeking specialist psychological help A step-by-step recovery programme, based on a positive growth approach Practical advice, tested exercises and useful summary check points Effective, integrative trauma healing techniques for body, mind and soul Overcoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme. Series Editor: Professor Peter Cooper

Emotional, physical and sexual abuse in childhood can result in a range of problems and lead to long-term difficulties that make life a struggle. With this in mind, clinical psychologist Dr Helen Kennerley has devised this highly acclaimed self-help programme based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help you to understand the links between your past trauma and any present difficulties. It offers you the means to gain control of your life and your feelings, enabling you to deal with any intrusive memories and mood swings, and develop healthy, better relationships in adulthood. Anyone who has endured childhood abuse and continues to battle with its aftermath will find this book supportive and liberating. The book gives you: - An understanding of the range of problems childhood abuse can create - Advice on how to build healthy relationships in adulthood - A structured, step-by-step self-help guide OVERCOMING self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well scheme. Series Editor: Emeritus Professor Peter Cooper

Overcome the crippling effects of panic attacks and agoraphobia Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by feelings of panic that seem to come from nowhere and yet feel terrifyingly real? Do you avoid certain situations because you think you'll experience a panic attack? If so, this step-by-step self-help course can give you the necessary skills to overcome and prevent such attacks and the associated agoraphobia. Based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques and the authors' many years of experience and expertise in treating this disabling condition, it offers an indispensable guide for anyone affected, including sufferers, their friends and families, psychologists and those working in the medical profession. Explains the many forms and causes of panic Contains a complete self-help program and monitoring sheets Based on clinically proven techniques of cognitive therapy

Most of us know about extreme highs or lows. For some people, however, emotional extremes can seriously disrupt our lives, either because they happen too frequently or because the mood swings are intense and accompanied by other symptoms of depression or mania, such as changes in energy and activity levels. This valuable self-help guide teaches tried-and-tested strategies that will help anyone troubled by mood swings to effectively identify and manage their moods, and achieve a more stable and comfortable emotional balance. It includes: - Information on depression and mania - A step-by-step, structured self-help programme and monitoring sheets Overcoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. READING WELL This book is recommended by the national Reading Well scheme for England and Wales, delivered by the Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians with funding from Arts Council England and Wellcome. www.reading-well.org.uk Series Editor: Emeritus professor Peter Cooper

Everyday problems such as financial pressures, sexual and emotional problems, fidelity issues or the complications of second marriages can cause unbearable pressure on relationships and family life. In this highly effective self-help guide, internationally-respected couples therapist, Dr Michael Crowe, and Professor of Sexual Medicine, Kevan Wylie, use proven cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) methods along with systemic approaches derived from family therapy to help you to overcome your relationship problems. Specifically, you will learn about: Sustaining a long-term relationship Improving communication with your partner and family Dealing with sexual problems Developing negotiating skills Coping with jealousy and other negative emotions Overcoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. READING WELL This book is recommended by the national Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme for England delivered by The Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians with funding from Arts Council England and Wellcome. Series Editor: Professor Peter Cooper

Reassuring and helpful strategies to guide you through your grief Grief is a natural reaction to loss, but in some cases it can be devastating, causing a loss of direction which can impact our relationships and work. This practical guide will help you to regain a sense of control and offers tried and tested strategies for adjusting to life without your spouse, friend or family member. Relentless grief can cause a host of physical problems, including difficulties eating, disrupted sleep and becoming over-reliant on alcohol. It can also lead to serious emotional and psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks and complicated grief. But techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help. This self-help book covers: · Coping with the unexpected or long-anticipated death of a loved one · Establishing a routine and tackling avoidance of difficult issues · Practical concerns such as making decisions and dealing with birthdays and anniversaries · Returning to work and planning a new future OVERCOMING self-help guides use clinically-proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme. Series Editor: Professor Peter Cooper

How you can stop worrying about your health and enjoy life 'This book not only helps sufferers to better understand the nature of the problem, but also provides them with the skills necessary to overcome it and to regain quality of life' Professor Paul Salkovskis, Professor of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford Many of us have a tendency to worry unnecessarily about our health. For some the anxiety becomes severe and persistent. This can involve spending many hours checking for symptoms, seeking reassurance from others, surfing the internet for information about different diseases, or repeatedly visiting the doctor. It is distressing for them and for everyone around them. In fact, health anxiety can be very successfully treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - the approach taken in this self-help guide. Using a structured, step-by-step approach the authors explain how the problem develops, how to recognise what feeds it and how to develop effective methods of dealing with it. This book includes: - Questionnaires, case studies and exercises - Chapters on fear of death and on medication Overcoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, boith psychological and physical. READING WELL This book is recommended by the national Reading Well scheme for England and Wales delivered by The Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians with funding from Arts Council England and Wellcome. www.reading-well.org.uk Series Editor: Emeritus Professor Peter Cooper

Take control of your habit and your life! Struggling with a gambling habit? If you feel that a 'flutter' has evolved into something out of your control, this indispensable book is for you. This self-help manual uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques, aspects of which were pioneered by clinical psychologist Professor Alex Blaszczynski, and now used all over the world, to help with gambling addiction. It will help you to understand how your own gambling problem has developed and what is keeping it going; also, crucially, how to develop the motivation to stop and control any future urges to gamble again. This fully revised and updated new edition takes into account the growth of sport betting and the increased ease of online gambling, as well improvements in clinical interventions. Specifically, you will learn: · Who is put at risk by gambling, with support given to friends and families · Step-by-step recovery techniques OVERCOMING self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme. Series Editor: Professor Peter Cooper

'Cognitive behaviour therapy appears to be an effective and acceptable treatment for adult out-patients with CFS. Its sufferers deserve . . . to be more aware of the potential of this therapy to bring lasting functional benefit.' Cochrane Review This valuable self-help guide offers ways of improving long-lasting fatigue associated with a range of long-term conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome. Using recognised techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps to change coping strategies. The approach described helps people break the vicious circle of fatigue and for many results in a reduction in symptoms and disability. This fully updated new edition provides: Guidance on how to improve sleep Practical strategies for balancing activity and rest Tips on setting and working towards targets that would improve your life Step-by-step advice on dealing with blocks to recovery Tools for coping with worry and stress Ways to challenge unhelpful thoughts Suggestions for how partners, relatives and friends can help Overcoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. READING WELL This book is recommended by the National Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme for England delivered by The Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians with funding from Arts Council England and Wellcome. www.reading-well.org.uk Series Editor: Professor Peter Cooper

Practical help for managing distressing voice hearing experiences Have you ever heard someone talking to you, but when you turned around no one was there? Voice hearing is more common than might be expected. Many of those who experience this phenomenon won't find it distressing, while some may find it extremely upsetting and even debilitating. Although the causes of voice hearing are many and varied, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been found to be a highly effective treatment for distressing voices. CBT can provide a powerful and positive way of coping with distressing voices, helping people to live well, even though the voice hearing may continue. Written by experts, this accessible self-help manual takes those affected by distressing voices on a journey of recovery and healing, based on the latest psychological research. This fully revised and updated edition includes: · Clear explanations of what distressing voices are and what causes them · Techniques to explore and re-evaluate the links between self-esteem, beliefs about voices and feelings · Practical steps to reduce the distress that hearing voices causes · Consideration of the impact on friends and family, and advice for how they can help Overcoming self-help guides use clinically-proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme. Series Editor: Professor Peter Cooper