FEAR AND OTHER UNINVITED GUESTS Tackling the Anxiety, Fear, and Shame That Keep Us from Optimal Living and Loving

The writer of many useful mental health guides says that anxiety, fear, and shame can paralyze us if we don't understand these feelings. But we can become unparalyzed by being proactive, speaking up, thinking positively, and being alert to negative feelings about the self that impose limitations and inhibit healthy interpersonal behavior. Negative emotions can be used to clarify our experiences and promote self-understanding. The key is not being on the defensive and developing more productive and self-affirming emotional patterns. Few guides to emotional functioning have the depth of understanding offered by this therapist, who seems as knowledgeable about the workings of the psyche as she is about formulating real-world coping strategies. T.W. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 05]