Publisher's Weekly Review

This consummately researched manual on the anxiety spectrum is one in a series of books by Harvard Medical School faculty on "the Almost Effect"-namely, the zone between normal behavior and pathology. The clear language used here is geared toward the psychology novice. Using the graphic Yerkes-Dodson curve, Marques defines the almost zone of anxiety as occurring to the right of flow-in which moderate anxiety leads to increased performance-and to the left of too-high anxiety levels that trigger disorders. Employing self-assessment tools in consort with case studies, she effectively highlights subtle distinctions between points on the nervousness gamut. Via the same approach, she substantiates the need-and way-to determine one's almost anxious "flavor," be it physical, social, or worry-related. Including sample dialogue, she demonstrates the process of digging down to the point of separation between anxiety-arousing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Next, Marques segues naturally into the "how" of healing. She discusses the ways physical activity, investment in an intimate social network, and mindfulness-raising exercises can chip away at the debilitating effects of too much anxiety. Both comprehensive and comprehensible, this manual serves as a robust aid to those stuck in anxiety's gray area. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.