Official Review: Anxious for Answers by Dr. Ilene S. Cohen

[MsH2k]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Anxious for Answers" by Dr. Ilene S. Cohen.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Have you ever felt anxious? If you are human, and you are being honest, the answer is yes. Anxiety helps us adapt to our surroundings in order to survive. It is a healthy and necessary reaction to a threat we perceive. But over time, anxiety has become viewed as a mental health issue rather than an adaptive response. In Anxious for Answers, Ilene S. Cohen, PhD, defines anxiety and gives the reader tools to manage it while acknowledging its purpose, use, and misuse. 

Dr. Ilene is a psychotherapist and a professor, and her skills from both professions shine as she addresses anxiety holistically in this book. The discussion relies heavily on the Bowen Family Systems Theory, which is based on the importance of the relationship a person has with their family. The book stresses the value of attaining a “differentiation of self,” which means knowing who you are as an individual and learning to act in ways that do not compromise your core values regardless of those around you. By becoming a well-differentiated self, you reduce your reliance on others to make you feel whole. The author acknowledges this is easier said than done, and she provides a clear summary and useful exercise at the end of each chapter to reinforce the material covered. 

This 174-page book is divided into ten chapters. The author begins by removing blame for the anxiety in our lives, particularly the blame often placed on parents. She shares research that has shown anxiety can be passed down generationally. One example was a case in which a person’s anxiety that the world was not safe was traced to a family member’s Holocaust experience two generations prior. Dr. Ilene also devotes chapters to explaining how the ways we ease anxious tension often trap us in unhealthy behaviors. The author concedes that sometimes medication may be needed in treating anxiety, but she stresses the well-documented risk that these medications can be highly addictive.  

What I like most about this book is the conversational tone of the writing. It feels like you are in a therapy session with Dr. Ilene. The only difference is you can stop and walk away when the topic becomes too much for one sitting. Even if you plow through the tears and keep reading (as I did during a particular section), the author has a way of putting you back together at the end of a chapter and giving you homework for the next session. She chooses her words intentionally to destigmatize anxiety and help the reader slow down and observe how they interact with others. 

The author gives several statistics and results of studies that support information presented in the chapter. While the references are all in the bibliography at the end of the book, there are no footnotes to associate a statement directly with its source. I found it difficult to research a study that interested me because the references were listed in alphabetical order instead of by chapter. This inconvenience is the only thing I dislike about this book.

Without hesitation, I rate Anxious for Answers 4 out of 4 stars. The information is presented clearly with exercises that reinforce the material. The book was professionally edited: I found only two minor errors. The author uses mild profanity occasionally to reinforce a point. (It works.) I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels anxious and wants to have a more peaceful life. It is also a great resource for those who interact with people suffering from chronic anxiety. This read is appropriate for all ages but would be most useful for young adults and adults.

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Anxious for Answers
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[Elvis Best]

In this current social media crazed world, this book couldn't have been timelier. Young people are persistently suffering from anxiety due to the high pressures from social media. Thanks for this insightful review. Good job!

[Paysh]

I feel like this book has the ability of reaching out to many teens dealing with anxiety and feel alone

[Lizziemarcel]

I love this book being that it has a practical aspect of it to assist readers deal with anxiety. Great review.

[Christabel Uzoamaka]

It looks like the author of this book has done her research and that is, indeed, a delight. I would love to read this book because I love pieces that shed light on psychology and how to harness the human mind and emotions.

I appreciate the great review.

[Dominik_G]

I've read quite a few books about anxiety and how to work through it, and I think emphasizing the fact that it's not a BAD thing one needs to get rid of altogether is so important and helpful. Thank you for your well-written and detailed review!

[Adrianna Melillo]

"By becoming a well-differentiated self, you reduce your reliance on others to make you feel whole."

I think this is incredibly important, but very difficult to accomplish. I'm interested to know what the author has to say about this topic. Great review!

[TarrynMercedes]

As someone who has been suffering with anxiety this book has helped me in many ways, Great Review

[Rodel Barnachea]

Since I was young, I have always been anxious even with the smallest of things. First day of school? Anxious. Meeting my cousins? Anxious. Getting called in class? Anxious. Because of this, I have always viewed anxiety as a hindrance to success than a powerful tool. Thank you for writing this brilliant review!

[Dreamer80]

I always look for engaging narratives, and the fact this felt like an actual therapy session makes me want to grab it. Thank you for such an amazing review!

[MsH2k]

In this current social media crazed world, this book couldn't have been timelier. Young people are persistently suffering from anxiety due to the high pressures from social media. Thanks for this insightful review. Good job!

Yes, social media makes “community” exponentially larger! The book talks about the need for acceptance as a factor in anxiety. The author has provided an excellent resource. Thanks for your visit and your comment!

[MsH2k]

I feel like this book has the ability of reaching out to many teens dealing with anxiety and feel alone

Teens would definitely benefit from this book, particularly if they do not have the opportunity to talk to a counselor. The author is a psychotherapist, and she writes as if she’s talking to the reader personally. The exercises are very helpful.
Thanks for your comment!

[MsH2k]

I love this book being that it has a practical aspect of it to assist readers deal with anxiety. Great review.

I really like that the author teaches about anxiety in this book. It’s more than examples and exercises, although they are great, too. She provides information and research that helps the reader get a well-rounded perspective on anxiety.
Thanks for your comment.

[MsH2k]

It looks like the author of this book has done her research and that is, indeed, a delight. I would love to read this book because I love pieces that shed light on psychology and how to harness the human mind and emotions.

I appreciate the great review.

The author is a very good communicator. She shares research, examples, and personal experience. I highly recommend this book if you love learning about the power and pitfalls of human nature.
Thank you for your comment.

[MsH2k]

I've read quite a few books about anxiety and how to work through it, and I think emphasizing the fact that it's not a BAD thing one needs to get rid of altogether is so important and helpful. Thank you for your well-written and detailed review!

I really like the teaching aspect of this book. Yes, the author gives exercises and examples, but she actually spends time teaching about the nuances of relationships.
Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your visit.