Don’t Believe Everything You Feel: A CBT Workbook to Identify Your Emotional Schemas and Find Freedom from Anxiety and Depression

14 reviews for Don’t Believe Everything You Feel: A CBT Workbook to Identify Your Emotional Schemas and Find Freedom from Anxiety and Depression

1. WM

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   May 13, 2023

   5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Program

   I am one third of the way, reading and doing every exercise. This book is a clear, self-explanatory guide on how to deal with feelings people don't wa...More

   I am one third of the way, reading and doing every exercise. This book is a clear, self-explanatory guide on how to deal with feelings people don't want, like fear, envy, anger, sadness, confusion, ambivalence and more. Leahy says you can have feelings about feelings : like being ashamed to feel fear, which can lead to low self-esteem, since every normal person feels fear. You can also have thoughts about your emotions, like being afraid to feel fear, which leads to avoidance, one of the precursors to depression. If had known all this book does before I bought it, I would have thought I would not be able to learn these skills. But doing the exercises in order is really empowering.
   It appeals to me because it addresses feelings in a totally logical, step-by-step, do it yourself without having to go to a therapist program. There may be some people that want to enhance their lives with therapy in addition to the book, but it may be hard to find one that uses Schema Therapy. However, this book can be used in addition to any therapy that your mental health professional may use.
   This is like having Leahy as your therapist 24 hour available, without having to travel to get improvements in your life. I am glad that an academic researcher would be willing to write this book for the layperson, since I have heard that academicians that write self-help are looked down on.
   I am getting relief from the pain of feeling that I haven't accomplished by now certain goals I am set on, while getting more healthy coping skills I can use towards those goals.
   I am being kinder to myself. For example, I did not know that it is ok, even healthy, to have conflicting feelings about people and events. I would ruminate and look down on myself because I thought ambivalent feelings are a sign of a personal flaw. I have read some good books about fear, as well as many ineffective books. But this book is full of new, useful skills.

   Helpful? 4 0
   Dabbler

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   March 7, 2023

   5.0 out of 5 stars Don't believe everything you feel .. or not?

   In one of the pages, the author says the following:"Would you say, 'I feel irritated. Is it true that I feel irritated?' Of course you feel irritated....More

   In one of the pages, the author says the following:
   "Would you say, 'I feel irritated. Is it true that I feel irritated?' Of course you feel irritated. There’s no question about it. When you have a feeling, your body is telling you the truth."
   
   But, the title of the book says "Don't believe everything you feel."
   In my opinion, this is in direct contradiction to his quote that whatever emotion you are feeling, it is true for you. So, I am supposed to believe what I feel right?
   Unless, "Don't believe everything you feel .. is permanent"
   Other than this, it is a great book.

   Helpful? 0 0
   Velvet

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   November 23, 2022

   5.0 out of 5 stars Feelings are greatly influenced by the way we think about things. Great book!

   In college a school counselor introduced me to Albert Ellis when I came to her because of performance anxiety for an audition for the campus jazz band...More

   In college a school counselor introduced me to Albert Ellis when I came to her because of performance anxiety for an audition for the campus jazz band. His ideas greatly helped me through life but seems a little dated & hard to read.
   I bought this book because of a friend whose thoughts seem to maneuver her to feeling badly again & again. Some of the concepts in this book are similar what I had learned from Albert Ellis but goes much deeper.
   I can only highly recommend! I haven't read but a chapter or two but it has moved me a lot so far!

   Helpful? 3 0
   Laura

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   October 6, 2022

   5.0 out of 5 stars Build a Life filled with Meaning and Purpose

   Renowned clinical psychologist and prolific author Dr. Robert Leahy has written an excellent step-by-step guide to help readers overcome suffering cau...More

   Renowned clinical psychologist and prolific author Dr. Robert Leahy has written an excellent step-by-step guide to help readers overcome suffering caused by the presence of unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. He shows us how avoiding or fighting emotions or having unhelpful thoughts about emotions and events can lead to needless suffering. His insightful guide helps readers learn how to accept painful emotions and change how we engage with thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through the use of immensely helpful strategies, Dr. Leahy shows us how we can suffer less and have enriched lives filled with meaning and purpose. I highly recommend this must-read, inspiring book filled with clinical wisdom and practical tips and worksheets.

   Helpful? 0 0
   Emma Silvernail

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   March 22, 2022

   5.0 out of 5 stars this has been so helpful. best Amazon purchase ever!

   I love that as somebody who struggles with my emotions and how to identify and explain that this book really helps identify the negative coping skills...More

   I love that as somebody who struggles with my emotions and how to identify and explain that this book really helps identify the negative coping skills we use.its been so helpful on my path to a better me

   Helpful? 3 0
   SmittenKitten

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   October 19, 2021

   5.0 out of 5 stars Buy This Book!!!!!

   This book is incredible!!! It has helped me tremendously! You will not be disappointed!

   Helpful? 4 0
   Johnn

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   April 26, 2021

   5.0 out of 5 stars Anybody who suffers from depression, anxiety, bipolar, etc., should read this book.

   This book is in no shortage of intelligent, practical insights into our emotions and how to better regulate/manage/cooperate with them. This is defin...More

   This book is in no shortage of intelligent, practical insights into our emotions and how to better regulate/manage/cooperate with them. This is definitely a good book to read.

   Helpful? 9 0
   Denise

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   September 17, 2020

   5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh and practical strategies for emotional well-being

   Many people seek mental health counseling or therapy because they are in a state of struggle with their feelings or emotions. Such struggles can go o...More

   Many people seek mental health counseling or therapy because they are in a state of struggle with their feelings or emotions. Such struggles can go on for a very long time, and seem impossible to resolve. As a therapist, I greatly appreciate this concise, evidence-based guide to understanding and navigating the complex world of emotion. In easy to ready terms, Dr. Leahy explains how to appreciate and benefit from our emotions, how to overcome fear of feelings and find our personal wisdom, and how to recognize the best and worst ways to cope. I highly recommend "Don't Believe Everything You Feel" to my clients, my students, my colleagues, and anyone who is interested in a fresh and practical approach to emotional well-being.

   Helpful? 8 0
   Elizabeth

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   September 17, 2020

   5.0 out of 5 stars A workbook designed to help you work through your anxiety

   A workbook designed to help you work through your anxiety and stress in order to recognize your triggers before they become too big to manage. Often a...More

   A workbook designed to help you work through your anxiety and stress in order to recognize your triggers before they become too big to manage. Often a panic attack continues and gets worse because we fail to manage the feelings and our breathing too late. We don’t see the signs early enough to stop ourselves from what feels like impending doom but with some help, we can see these triggers and control them to our advantage and actually take back our independence.
   
   There’s far too many of us suffering from anxiety and depression and I could list off a ton of reasons that you all already know. These issues don’t just go away overnight so we need to figure out how to move through the discomfort.

   Helpful? 9 0
   “newcory88”

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   August 18, 2020

   5.0 out of 5 stars A "how-to" book for building emotional intelligence and learning to deepen empathy.

   This engaging, clearly-written book is a “how-to” for building emotional intelligence, written by an author whose obvious warmth, humor, and wisdom se...More

   This engaging, clearly-written book is a “how-to” for building emotional intelligence, written by an author whose obvious warmth, humor, and wisdom serve as top-notch role-modeling. Don’t Believe Everything You Feel can be a great companion guide for anyone who is in therapy, but it is so much more than that, because it contains valuable lessons for anyone who wants to improve the quality of their inner life. Dr. Leahy’s exercises are thought-provoking and eye-opening, his brief clinical stories are compelling and instructive, and his end-of-chapter summaries really help you retain what you have learned. One of Dr. Leahy’s central messages is that what we believe about our emotions is critically important in determining how much we can grow from our experiences, rather than be consumed by them or reject them. The author is a master at validating feelings while also helping the reader to be on the lookout for unhelpful habits they may be using to cope with their feelings, and to replace them with a healthier approach. I greatly appreciated the existential aspects of the author’s message, which include having equanimity in the face of disappointments and doubts, deciding what matters most in life, and living our lives in the manner we want to be remembered best. Another great plus to this book is the chapter that essentially serves as empathy training, so that we may understand others’ emotions and therefore feel a deeper sense of connectedness. I wish this all-important topic was something that was taught in primary and secondary schools, but it’s never too late to learn, and Dr. Leahy delivers the goods. If you want to understand your emotions more keenly and deeply, and you’re willing to work at it, Leahy’s book will definitely give you great insights and practical methods for managing your moods and enriching your emotional life.

   Helpful? 3 0
   friend of wally cleaver

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   August 12, 2020

   5.0 out of 5 stars Another home run

   This is the second book by Dr. Leahy that I've benefited from. I haven't gotten further than the first couple of chapters with this one -- so many won...More

   This is the second book by Dr. Leahy that I've benefited from. I haven't gotten further than the first couple of chapters with this one -- so many wonderful tools, especially for folks who suffer with handling emotions and how to process them. His writing style is such that you feel like he's alongside, counseling and encouraging you! Highly recommended.

   Helpful? 8 0
   Edlira

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   August 7, 2020

   5.0 out of 5 stars Great tool for self-development and emotinal regulation.

   By far the best hands-on approach to CBT. Easy read and effective techniques for emotion and thought modificationl.

   Helpful? 2 0
   Scott

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   August 1, 2020

   5.0 out of 5 stars Another great workbook

   This is an excellent workbook that I totally love. It has everything you'd expect from a Leahy workbook--lots of practical worksheets. It's a great gu...More

   This is an excellent workbook that I totally love. It has everything you'd expect from a Leahy workbook--lots of practical worksheets. It's a great guide for anyone who wants to develop a new healthy relationship with their emotions. I wholeheartedly recommend it

   Helpful? 3 0
   Max

   Rated 5 out of 5

   (14)

   July 1, 2020

   5.0 out of 5 stars Healing Can Happen

   Understand that all emotions are temporary. That statement made by the author was important. I also deal with difficult emotions and I agree with him....More

   Understand that all emotions are temporary. That statement made by the author was important. I also deal with difficult emotions and I agree with him. So then I wanted to know how to deal with emotions that are running my life. What I learned was that I needed to pay attention to the emotions and learn to put things into proper perspective but also not ignore them. I also worry a lot. I believed I had reason to do so but after reading and working on the concepts in the book I see that my worries can be more helpful when looked at in a different light
   This book is meant to be used and worked with. Taking time to log my worries and emotions gives me a chance to look at what I am doing that is making my life more difficult. Excellent resource for realistic living/

   Helpful? 14 0