The ABCS of Coping with Anxiety: Using CBT to manage stress and anxiety

by James Cowart PhD

Research findings consistently show that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is very effective in treating anxiety. However, many people with this problem do not seek treatment: something this new book seeks to redress. The ABCS of Coping with Anxiety consolidates key principles from CBT and makes them understandable and accessible to anyone who needs them. The book focuses on key coping skills and includes practical exercises at the end of each chapter. James Cowart identified and developed these strategies over 40 years of clinical practice, during which time he revised and improved them repeatedly. He has used these tried-and-tested techniques to help many people cope with their anxiety. Now he shares his insights in this new book, enabling more people to benefit from this approach.
Suitable for anyone suffering with anxiety, as well as health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, counsellors and other medical professionals with an interest in treating anxiety.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

Published July 18, 2017

Reviews

[Bonnie Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

With over 40 years of clinical experience, Dr. James Cowart has written a concise, easy-to-understand guide for practitioners and sufferers of anxiety issues. The author includes reproducible client exercise worksheets, case studies, mental health resources, and a bibliography to further assist the reader.

At its basic core, The ABCS of Coping with Anxiety focuses on the practice of using coping skills to deal with the management of anxiety. People can work through this process alone or with the help of a trusted therapist.

As a former patient of Dr. Cowart’s, I can personally endorse his non-judgmental, compassionate approach to coping with OCD and depression. I still rely on his ABCS method on a daily basis. I am so thankful to have worked with a mentor who gave me the tools and support to work through some of my toughest challenges.

As a first step, I encourage those who suffer from anxiety to work through this book and face your fears. Although it is not easy, I believe you will find the freedom to live a more productive and fulfilling life.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It really is a great book. It’s more of a handy guide when in trouble, to remind yourself pf useful skills and things to do to organise your mind and get back to a good headspace. I dont give it 5 stars because even tho it’s great it really is a bit repetitive. Sure enough some people will appreciate this is they are very new to cbt tips but as someone that has gone through months of cbt and just needed a quick book to have handy it really is repetitive.
I did enjoy the writing and the exercises. Would still recommend specially if your new to it. And need a quick reminder of simple coping mechanisms.

[Laura Rueckert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book based on a friend's recommendation, to help support one of my kids, who has anxiety. I've started working through the exercises with him and will continue. I had assumed based on the title that it would be 26 things to do (one for each of the ABCs), but it's actually A, B, C and S – only four things, which makes it a lot easier to remember. There are several exercises you can do, and you might want to copy some pages (copying specifically allowed by the author), so the print version might be better than the ebook. Recommended!

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book focused on the ABCS coping mechanism and shared different perspectives of working towards over coming your fears. It changed my mindset of how I see things and has helped me to take those steps towards overcoming my fears and give others advice.

[Lawrence Carriere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been one of those people that has said, “I can’t keep living like this” and “this has got to stop.” I’ve always felt the only way to conquer my anxiety was the right medication or an act of God to remove it. A few of the books I’ve read on anxiety teach (from the experience of the authors) that the path to freedom from anxiety is through the anxiety, not away our around it. I've not hit one that explains how to do that though.

The ABCS of Coping with Anxiety helps in laying out a simple but effective CBT method to cope with anxiety as it’s happening.

I live with health anxiety and have found the (A)cceptance in the ABCS, quite helpful. An upset stomach can make me spin out of control and think I’m going to have a heart attack. Don’t ask. It just does. But sitting in the gruesome reality of death and learning to accept that has been freeing.

This book has helped me on my journey through my anxiety and helped to stop running from it.

Caveat: always seek medical advice and never stop taking meds without a doctor’s supervision.

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Contains some interesting ideas.

[Laura Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful, simplified version of CBT. It is helpful for all anxiety, but will not be enough for thise struggling with crippling anxiety. All people with anxiety, however, should read it.