This last weekend was the National Book Festival which I attended. The festival is a Chautauqua carnival of authors, lectures, and book signings covering topics from history, lifestyles, science fiction, kids' lit, writing skills, etc. I always enjoyed the author lectures, particularly David McCullough (who passed away this year---a great writer, great voice, and charming speaker). This year I attended talks by Jack Davis on the history of the bald eagle (note: not the official national bird), David Rubenstein on investing (successful private equity company and patriotic philanthropist), and two bright authors on the topic of "anxiety" Ellen Vora and Tracy Dennis- Tiwary offering a new and more positive perspective on Anxiety. Below is a teaser of their books.
In The Anatomy of Anxiety, Dr. Ellen Vora offers a paradigm shift in how we understand anxiety and mental health, suggesting that anxiety symptoms result from various physiologic inputs — it is a whole-body condition, not simply a brain condition. In her clinical work, Dr. Vora has found time and again that the discomfort of anxiety can often be traced to seemingly unrelated imbalances, such as low blood sugar, inadequate sleep, overuse of technology, and inflammation. The good news is that this body-based anxiety, or, as Dr. Vora terms it, "false anxiety," is eminently treatable.
Future Tense offers a paradigm shift in how we relate to and understand anxiety in our day-to-day lives—a fresh set of beliefs and insights that allow us to explore and leverage even very distressing fear rather than be overwhelmed by it. We taught people that anxiety is dangerous and damaging and that the solution to its pain is eradicating it like any disease—prevent it, avoid it, and stamp it out at all costs. Yet cutting-edge therapies, hundreds of self-help books, and a panoply of medications have failed to keep debilitating anxiety at bay. A third of us will struggle with anxiety disorders in our lifetime, and rates in children and adults continue to skyrocket.
That's because the anxiety-as-disease story is false—harming us.
Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary argues that anxiety is an evolved advantage that protects us and strengthens our creative and productive powers. Although it's related to stress and fear, it's uniquely valuable, allowing us to imagine the uncertain future and compelling us to make that future better. That's why anxiety is inextricably linked to hope.
