Overcoming Anxiety follows three people who have taken this next step. Each battled the crippling effects of severe anxiety, and won. Their battle was not easy nor was it over quickly. However, all three did eventually achieve long-term recovery and were free of the crippling anxiety that had paralyzed them in the past. Overcoming Anxiety: - Clarifies the difference between mere symptom control and true freedom from debilitating anxiety. - Shows readers how to clearly identify the message of their anxiety - underlying issues that trigger and maintain severe anxiety - and deal with them effectively - Identifies issues from childhood that often become intertwined with severe anxiety - Reveals the role that emotions play in life - Enables the reader to effectively challenge the thoughts that trigger and fuel anxiety - Takes readers through the steps needed to overcome avoidance caused by anxiety - Describes how to establish healthy boundaries - Identifies common roadblocks to recovery and how to overcome them - Reveals the two "quiet messages" of anxiety that are often missed At the end of each chapter is a set of recommended activities that teach readers how to apply the ideas and skills described in the chapter. These skills show readers how to shift their focus from the messenger - the symptoms of anxiety - to the message - the core causes of anxiety - and deal with them directly.