Best Books On Overcoming Fear And Anxiety (2024 Updated)

Have always had mild anxiety but the last 12 months it has been terrible and I have experienced horrible panic attacks also. Stumbled across this book and have found it to be very informative and helpful in understanding my anxiety and how amazing the brain is in helping to combat and create new pathways to keep my anxiety under control due to understanding the why and how.

The brain is an amazing thing. I have only just discovered this fact.

I would keep this book as a handbook to constantly refer to when needed. It is informative and shows practical actions to take to help yourself. I would however consider using the information to help work in conjunction with a therapist to better understand and reinforce the pathways outlined.

I have been following Ruth Soukup for many years and I love her genuine authenticity, her passion and drive to help others, and the wisdom, expertise, and inspiration she shares. I love her newest book, Do it Scared, which is an inspirational and practical application guidebook that helps the reader face their fears to overcome adversity to achieve their dreams and create a life they love.

Do it Scared shares a wealth of valuable real-life examples and experiences, research, (more than 4,000 people were surveyed) wisdom, inspiration, encouragement, passion, and practical tools that guide the reader through the actionable and doable steps to achieve the dreams we have been fearful of going after.

It allows us to see the possibilities and that it’s more than okay to dream big and have missteps along the way. Do it Scared challenges and motivates you to move forward in the ways fear shows up in your life.

Ruth walks the reader through identifying your fear Archetype (the unique ways fear can show up in your life), the Principles of Courage, and Courage in Action. Within each of the 7 fear Archetype’s Ruth uses real life struggles, positive attributes, habits and behaviors, the voice of the particular archetype, how it holds you back, strategies to overcome the fear and take action, create accountability, and moving past the fear Archetype.

She offers a quiz that defines your Archetype and I think it described me to a tee! Ruth took a passion project and turned it into a successful business and created a life she loves. She overcame a lot of adversity along the way.

She beat the odds. She put in the hard work and didn’t give up and achieved the dreams and goals she set out to reach. Her words are motivating, inspiring, convicting, encouraging, logical, practical, doable, and achievable.

We can push past being stuck, isolated, and paralyzed by fear and achieve the dreams we are so afraid of going after! After reading Do it Scared, I feel energized, excited, hopeful, inspired, motivated, encouraged, and believe that I can and will achieve the dreams of my heart! Ruth Soukup shares, “Remember, action is the antidote to fear, and at the end of the day the only thing stopping you is you.

” I love Ruth’s vulnerability, raw honesty, and how she bravely bares her soul in Do it Scared and I find her to be enormously courageous! Despite and because of the difficulties she has faced, she says, “Every wrong turn has somehow led me to where I am right now.

Every misstep has led me to what eventually became the right step. And I have faith that the current rough patches in my life will be the future lessons I’ll be eternally grateful for. ” I love this powerful truth! I’ve personally been stuck and paralyzed for years in my own passion project.

Ruth’s amazing book, Do it Scared, opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn’t considered and allowed me to see I am more than capable to go after the dreams that lay upon my heart and soul. The actionable steps provided in Do it Scared give me hope and a new found passion to run after the dreams I’ve placed on hold because of the fears that held me hostage.

I loved Do it Scared and I feel it can be for anyone that has allowed themselves to dream but didn’t take action out of fear, or the person that never allowed themselves the possibility to dream, and the person that has tried and given up, or doesn’t know the next steps to achieve their dreams and goals.

I think you’ll love Ruth’s no-nonsense approach and writing style, the stories she shares, and the wealth of wisdom and expertise that is contained within the pages of “Do it Scared. ” I’m so grateful to Ruth Soukup for writing this book, her inspirational podcast, and the awesome products she creates to remind us all that we can Do it Scared!.

Wow! Do It Scared is a game changer! Ruth writes in a conversational tone that leads you through her Do It Scared process which includes: learning your Fear Archetype(s), overcoming your specific Fear Archetype with the seven Principles of Courage, and outlining the steps to accomplish your Big Goals with Courage in Action.

While the Fear Archetypes have names that usually invoke negative connotations (“The Procrastinator,” for example), Ruth describes the root of each Fear, provides productive ways to correct the associated behavior, and points out that all the Fears have positive attributes.

The Principles of Courage then guide you beyond your fear to take action, even when it’s scary. The first Principle is Dare to Think Big – identifying a stretch goal – “one that pushes us past our comfort zone or one we might not fully believe is attainable.

” Finally, Ruth urges you to put your Courage in Action and pursue your Big Goal. Anyone can follow the strategies she outlines, if you’re willing to pull up your sleeves and get started. After reading Do It Scared, I have a better idea of why I’ve never stretched myself to achieve something big because my primary Fear Archetype is “The Outcast” and one of my top three Fears is “The Procrastinator.

” Ruth’s Principle of “There are No Mistakes, Only Lessons” is very liberating to me; I can take a leap of faith and try something new. Even if I miss the mark, at least I’ve learned something. I now believe I can overcome my Fears, incorporate the Principles of Courage, and put my Courage in Action to accomplish my Big Goal! Favorite quote, “… the secret to success … as long as you keep taking small steps in one direction, you’ll get there eventually.

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“Finished Reading Add a date Review Have you ever wanted to do something only to second guess yourself? Have you ever wondered what you are capable of doing? Have you ever wondered what prevents you from doing what you truly desire to do? If so this is the book for you.

Ruth Soukup does an excellent job of breaking down the archetypes that keep us paralyzed in fear and then gives strategies and suggestions for overcoming those fears. The first section of the book dives deep into the Seven Archetypes which are: the Procrastinator, The Rule Follower, The People Pleaser, The Outcast, The Self-Doubter, The Excuse Maker, and The Pessimist.

She provides both the strengths and weaknesses of each type along with suggested careers for each type. After helping the reader understand their archetype, she then provides 7 tools and strategies for overcoming your fears and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Too many of us get stuck because we are too paralyzed by fear to walk out in faith and challenge the status quo. The second half of this book does an amazing job of helping the reader see how to start moving and face our fears head on.

She writes in an engaging manner that makes you feel as if you were actually sitting down having a conversation with her. This book will help you go from fear to faith and go for the “”Big”” dreams and desires of your heart.

So if you are looking for a book to inspire, motivate, encourage you and more, check out this book for yourself. I know this book encouraged me to think about who I am, what I am afraid of and what I want from life.

With a husband who is about 3 years away from retirement, I have big dreams for our future that I want to see come to life. This book is encouraging me to step out in faith and start working towards the life I want.

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This book is reassuringly written with expert awareness of how normal stress and anxiety responses can subtly and quite easily shift into becoming chronic and unhealthy. The clear fact format is just what is needed to remind anyone prone to suffering from anxiety, that it can be easily managed with the necessary awareness and right approach.

This book deals with the process thoroughly, from the problematic thoughts and the mental, emotional and physical symptoms they produce, and then ways to challenge these thoughts to enable a different perspective and overcoming of unnecessary and unhelpful anxiety.

having chosen this book for my Daughter, I can not say if it has helped her yet ,I did have a look through it before I sent it to her, I think it will help because it explained why she was feeling the way she was and also gives you ideas on how to deal with those feelings and help manage them, I can only hope this works.

The service from Booktopia is great I will certainly be buying more books from you.

I bought this book for my Husband and the comments above are his and not mine. He has found the contents interesting and he is pleased that I purchased it.

I love this book. It is a must for anyone who struggles with chronic anxiety. It covers a lot of categories of anxiety (happiness, overthinking, relationships, sex) and provides a fresh perspective. I wouldn’t say any of this information is new, but provides perspectives that are less common.

July 15, 2019 Learning a lot of new ways to handle my anxiousness in everything I’m going through Wish I could have gotten the book sooner!! I saw his OBS Study page so I signed up immediately. I have been blessed and made so new friends.

I have always been a fan of Max Lucado book, prayer guides. I am beyond excited for the other book to come out. I never really thought of myself as an anxious person but I’m finding out I was more anxious than I thought.

The truths Max Lucado shares are ones everyone needs!! Next book, please.

People are different. The key to this book is that it presents many solutions and real life examples, one or two of which are bound to resonate with a person who worries too much. I bought this book 40 years ago when I worried too much about things that didn’t need to be worried about in the way I was worrying about them.

The book solved my problem. Since then when friends or family are being overwhelmed by worry I get them their own copy. It has helped every one of them, sometimes by reading only the section about living in day tight compartments.

One person I know went to see a counselor and got the same advice except had to pay a lot more money for it. To anyone who worries, read this book! And if you start to worry again, read the book again! It works.

Highly recommend! I bought it for a friend who really is a worrier, but ended up reading the whole book myself! While we already know many of the truths found in this book, the reminders and the stories are invaluable.

I really recommend it, even if you are NOT a worrier! There are so many little things that we all need to hear again. A very quick and worthwhile read!.

I purchased this book right before going through the hardest month in my life. I felt like this book was brought to me in preparation to what I was about to happen. Let me tell you that if you are going through hard times, and you need help prioritizing what’s important and what’s not in your life, then this book will open your eyes and make you laugh at some of the things you’ve been so worried about.

The amount of examples mentioned by the author really enforce the message and are a great way to see how people found ways out.

My husband and I are recently retired and with that has come anxiety for me. I have always struggled with this afflection and so I got it to do as my summer Bible study. My husband actually started reading it first and now that I have also I can tell you that this book is actually what I was looking for.

Now my husband and I have a faith based study to do together and It is exciting to be able to talk together about the study and he and I think this book is awesome. I am only 3 chapters in and I am able y feel relief.

I love being able to go to my Bible and mark it up so when and if this hits in the future I will know where to turn in the Word for calm. We have a little grandaughter who also gets anxious, I am praying I can help her (and all of the grands) learn early how and where to lean on God so she doesn’t get to 65 like me and has had a life of anxiety.

but one of peace and joy. Thank you for this wonderful book.

These are great DVD’s, even if you don’t buy the book. Max Lucado has a very down to earth manner. His content is so appropriate for what the planet has going on now with the Pandemic. His words and manner are very comforting and encouraging.

My Zoom Study girls are really enjoying and are grateful!.

We are going through this encouraging series in our Couples Group via Zoom. It is excellent and helpful in keeping us encouraged and Christ focused during our physical isolation. Even though the video series is free during this pandemic, we got the DVD, Study Guide, and Book so we have it as a family resource later.

It has been extremely helpful.

This book is like sitting down to have coffee and a chat with a great Christian friend who is ready to speak truth to you and lead you to peace. Becky Thompson’s writing style is comfortable and inviting.

She constantly points us back to God’s truth and the perfect Peace that is within us as the Holy Spirit. Momma’s (or women) who have felt the sting of seemingly not having enough faith, or endured the sermons telling them their anxiety was a result of not trusting enough, will find comfort and reassurance in these pages.

They will learn that “anxiety does not disqualify you from being a woman full of faith. ” Becky offers tangible ways to walk in faith DESPITE our physiological symptoms, despite our psychological worries, despite the lies that tell us we are not enough or God is not enough.

This book goes a step further in helping us to find the courage to share our stories and be trail guides for other women who are still lost in the forest of fear amidst their anxiety. Each chapter closes with a prayer, a truth, and a very real step that women can take as they navigate their own anxiety or offer help to others around them.

The world needs PEACE right now. Women need the words on these pages! Becky Thompson is a “must-read” author. I have all of her books on my shelf and reach for them often. God speaks such truth through her words and her humble spirit.

She is a “real momma” in the trenches and so, so incredibly relatable. I highly recommend purchasing this book and every other one she’s written. You will feel like you’re getting a hug and whispers of advice and support from your best friend while she points you back towards your Heavenly Father.

I highly recommend this book to any woman, especially mothers, who is suffering with ANY form of anxiety. I was diagnosed with Postpartum Anxiety after my last child was born. It was so bad that I sought medication and therapy which I believe God used to help me.

It’s been well over a year now. I started reading this book and God placed it on my heart to attempt to go off the anxiety medication. I’m not saying this book can CURE you of your anxiety, but it truly helps give insight and suggestions to truly finding PEACE while also being interesting and “hard to put down” read.

All of Beckys books are amazing. I actually stumbled across her books in the midst of my worst depression and anxiety moments last year and she was my “light” in the darkest times of my life. Then I heard about this new book and I had to read it ASAP.

This book will help if not change your life.

IšverstiShow in original languageThis easy-to-digest book is also challenging and encouraging at the same time. I highly recommend it.

IšverstiShow in original languageI am enjoying the books Less Fret and Anxious for Nothing. They certainly are very timely and Max Lucado provides so much insight and guidance throughout the books. So glad I purchased them!!.

IšverstiShow in original languageThis is a small book and looks to be a quick read! I’m looking forward to reading it and doing the study pages in it!

The book gives examples of the lies we believe and also examples of God’s truth from the Bible. Putting these positive thoughts into practice will improve your life! I read the book and immediately gave my copy to a friend.

I then bought 3 more to share with others. I highly recommend it to get out of depression, anxiety and fear.

Do-it-yourself therapy through reading. This book is helpful for teens through adult years, helping us realize the lies we tell ourselves and believe, and re-stating our self-talk and communication to be truthful, recognizing the boundaries and responsibility that ensue.

I recommend for every body. It tells us how our thinking relates to our actions. Great book!

About this book~ “The Bible calls us to ‘fear not’ on many occasions. But just how do we accomplish that when every news item seems designed to get us wringing our hands? Using her own story as a catalyst, Maria Furlough discusses how to overcome fear for good.

With practicality and passion, she shows us the steps we can take to bring those fears to God rather than act on them and to trust God with the future. When we give God full control over our lives, choosing his sovereignty over our own ability, we can break the cycle of fear, grow through suffering, and trust God to fulfill his promises of protection and peace.

If you are filled with anxiety about your personal circumstances, the state of the world today, or even your fear-clogged social media feeds, you’ll welcome this hands-on journey from fear to freedom.

” Profanity/Violence~ None Sexual Content~ Mentions of sex and miscarriages. Other~ None Age Recommendation: 12+ My Opinion~ Wow!!! There is so much power and impact in this tiny, little book. Personally, I don’t struggle with fear that much, but I got a lot out of this book.

The author is so personal in this book with her story, her failures, her victories, and everything in between. If you struggle with fear or anxiety this is the book for you. It shows you step by step ways to get rid of fear and give it to God.

The author doesn’t shy away from her own personal fears, and she actually tells us what they were. She actually went through this process. She actually did all this in order to get rid of fear. This isn’t just some book that she wrote for no reason; she wrote this book to free people from the bondage that she once had.

As a reader, it can be comforting to know that people actually have gone through what you’re going through. It was actually refreshing to read a small book since I normally read bigger books. It also feels refreshing to give a book 5 stars! *My thanks to the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Maria Furlough is a top-notch writer. I have enjoyed getting to know her through this powerful book. She opens with her heartbreaking story of learning that her baby boy would be born with a fatal birth defect.

He would survive for only a short period, and her fears threatened to overtake her mind, heart, and soul when the diagnosis was delivered. As a mother of three, I can only imagine the pain and suffering she went through.

I had perfectly healthy pregnancies, but I was still plagued with worries of the unknown threats when my babies were in my womb. But Maria’s story transcends her pregnancy and the few precious hours with her baby Gideon.

This book wields a powerful weapon against the deep-seated fears every one of us faces. I think women are particularly prone to fear. I haven’t met a woman who didn’t struggle with it in one way or another.

Fear is a powerful weapon the enemy uses to keep us in bondage. Maria uses deep scriptural insight and poignant personal stories to show how God can set us free from our fears and offer real, lasting, breathing hope within them.

I’ve been a fearful person most of my life, and I’m always searching for books that can help me conquer my fearful tendencies. Without reservation, I can say this is the best book I’ve ever read about facing fears and winning the war against them.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Breaking the Fear Cycle I just cannot get out of my head (in the best way): – Every time I give in to a fearful thought, I am taking a bite from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil all over again.

– Once we gaze upon our fears with honest indignation, we can see that, yes, God is bigger than even the worst thing we can imagine. – Pain is actually doing something. It is not arbitrary, worthless, or endless.

It’s doing a work in us that cannot be done any other way. – Instead of living in perpetual fear of the pain and suffering that might happen, let’s live each day in freedom. – May we figure out how to fight fear and walk the road toward peace hand in hand.

Thank you to Baker Books for a free preview copy of this wonderful book.

I consider myself a worrywart. The what if’s, the little every day stressors and the great big life concerns are always just flirting around my daily routine. This is the first book I’ve ever read that truly made me question whether that really had to be that way.

I find a lot of self-help and faith-based books to be a bit of “fluff” mixed with some good (and sometimes subpar!) advice. This book, though. It gave me a real road map to tackling the fears and anxieties that I’ve always carried around like a burden.

I keep coming back and re-reading sections of the book and remembering that God actually gives me the tools to allow peace to be the hallmark of my life rather than anxiety. This book is an active book that made me really dive in and face my fears.

The author gives you the steps to journal through the fear-breaking process and includes guidance and reflection questions at the end of each chapter. Also, I’m just thankful for an author that tackles fear in a very real and honest way.

She was conversational- not dry or preachy. Her words were raw and vulnerable- she doesn’t try to be the “perfect” blogging author or Christian influencer. She lays it all out there in this book- how she wrestled with God, doubted Him, was angry at Him.

And the beauty of that was getting to see God come through for her in all of the small, beautiful, big and very tangible ways- and realizing He can and will do the same for me. Will be buying copies for all of the worrywarts that I love!.

This book was a life saver for me! I not only had anxiety problems I had migraine headaches. The relaxation and breathing techniques have made it so I rarely get the headaches anymore and if I do it’s so mild I can just relax and breath it away.

–This book is so easy to read and explains everything in such a simple way!! It can help every area of your life including low self esteem and just about any negative aspect of life including addictions.

–I believe in this book so much that I’ve bought several copies over the years to give to other people with problems: such as they’re afraid to go out of their house. –The main trick with this book is you have make yourself take the time to do and learn what it says.

It only takes a few minutes tho.

These are a very common disorders that are affecting the society at all levels. Most of the time misdiagnosed. Taken as a sign of a heart attack, drug effects or aggressive behavior. It is very easy to label people wrong We need to know the difference before to take action and make an incorrect decision.

There are different approaches and opinions about these disorders that can be managed with a minimum of medication, therapy ,understanding and knowledge. This is an(old) book used as a reference and comparison.

This book is wonderful and the fact that the author actually dealt with similar problems is great. Easy to read and helps out a lot. Many good examples! I would recommend this book to anyone with slight to severe panic/anxiety.

Best book I have ever read on this topic.

If you’re struggling with fear, Joyce Meyer’s Do it Afraid, is so powerful. She encourages you with the Word while using different experiences to help you do it afraid. I’m a anxiety attack waiting to happen, and so far I feel this book has given me courage with my fear that I haven’t had in a long time.

Do It Afraid : Embracing Courage in the Face of Fear (Paperback).

Love this book. Anyone having trouble facing certain problems need to read this book