Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 30:658, 2009

Copyright Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

ISSN: 0161-2840 print/ 1096-4673 online
DOI: 10.1080/01612840903078977
Book Review
Edited by
Lora Humphrey Beebe, PhD, PMHNP-BC
University of Tennessee, College of Nursing, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques
Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD
W. W. Norton & Company, New York, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-393-70556-0
Reviewed 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 anxiety
disorders. Her clinical work and publications have established
her as a preferred presenter for various clinical and organiza-
tional conferences. She is the author of two other books on
the neurobiology of anxiety and effective anxiety management
strategies.
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 resulting
behaviors, as well as how the reader can make changes to man-
age these effects. In the introduction, Dr. Wehrenberg describes
her own struggle with anxiety and panic attacks. Knowing that
the author has personal as well as professional experience with
these difculties draws the reader into the book.
The book is divided into four parts. In the rst part, the
chemical and biological functions of the brain and their role are
presented. This material is critical to understanding the why of
anxiety. This section may be difcult for the general reader, as
the chemical pathways can be complex and convoluted. A brief
introduction to anxiety medications and their uses is included
in this section. Specic drugs and their functions in anxiety
and panic are explained; however, prescriptive information is
lacking. At the end of the chapter, the reader is advised to
consult with their medical professional before starting any psy-
chotherapy or medication.
Part II of the book focuses on the body. Four specic tech-
niques for calming and quieting the body are given. The author
encourages the reader to examine nutritional intake, to learn how
to calmand control breathing, and to practice paying attention to
what triggers anxiety. Specic step-by-step directions on how
to practice and accomplish these techniques are provided.
Part III focuses on how anxiety is inuenced by the mind
or the thought process. Changing ones self-talk using thought
replacements is discussed. The reader is shown techniques for
changing the focus and attention of their anxiety. The author ex-
plains the chemical changes that occur when thought processes
change, and how they affect the experience of anxiety.
The nal section of the book encourages the reader to ex-
amine their own life and identify what specically contributes
to their anxiety. In the nal chapter, the reader is encouraged
to make a plan, practice that plan, and then implement that
plan. Overall this book is a good workbook to understanding
anxiety and how to mange it.
One of the best features of this book is the supplementary
information. The author provides a section of reading resources
divided by topic. Included are websites, telephone numbers, and
addresses of various organizations and groups. In addition, the
author provides an extensive reference list as well as an easy to
use index for rapid identication of specic topics in the book.
This book is a good reference guide for those experiencing
anxiety and panic. The reader is encouraged to practice the
techniques and reminded that managing anxiety is an ongoing,
long-term process.
658
I
s
s
u
e
s

M
e
n
t

H
e
a
l
t
h

N
u
r
s

D
o
w
n
l
o
a
d
e
d

f
r
o
m

i
n
f
o
r
m
a
h
e
a
l
t
h
c
a
r
e
.
c
o
m

b
y

V
A

C
o
n
n
e
c
t
i
c
u
t

H
e
a
l
t
h
c
a
r
e

S
y
s
t
e
m

o
n

0
3
/
1
9
/
1
4
F
o
r

p
e
r
s
o
n
a
l

u
s
e

o
n
l
y
.