Overcoming Books – serie

INTRODUCED BY MONISHA RAJESH, award-winning author of Around the World in 80 Trains'If I were asked to enumerate the pleasures of travel, this would be one of the greatest among them - that so often and so unexpectedly you meet the best in human nature.'Growing up in near-poverty and denied a formal education, Freya Stark had nurtured a fascination for the Middle East since reading Arabian Nights as a child. But it wasn't until she was in her thirties that she was able to leave Europe. Boarding a cargo ship to Beirut in 1927, she went on to became one of her generation's most intrepid explorers - her adventures would take her to remote areas in Turkey, the Middle East and Asia.The Valleys of the Assassins chronicles Stark's treks into the wilderness of western Iran on the hunt for treasure and in an attempt to locate the long-fabled Assassins in Alumut, an ancient Persian sect. Entering Luristan on a mule, draped in native clothing, Freya bluffs her way past border guards and sets off into uncharted territory; places where few Europeans, and no European women, had ventured.Stark was a woman of indefatigable energy, who often travelled with only a single guide and on a shoestring budget, and who was undeterred by discomfort and danger. Hailed as a classic upon its first publication in 1934, The Valleys of the Assassins is an absorbing account of people and place. Full of wit and rich in detail - and also in humanity - her writing brings to vivid life the stories of the ancient kingdoms of the Middle East.

A compassionate lifeline for navigating life's darkest moments.When life feels unmanageable and emotions spiral, you need more than reassurance - you need a toolkit that works when your mind and body are in turmoil. Millions of people experience a mental health crisis every year but often feel alone, overwhelmed and confused.This book draws on years of frontline experience in mental health care, offering step-by-step support for anyone facing a mental health crisis, as well as their friends and family. Inside, you will find:· Clear explanations of what a mental health crisis is, why it happens, and how to spot the warning signs before things escalate.· Grounding techniques, safety planning and emotional coping skills rooted in cognitive behavioural therapies and mindfulness. · Worksheets, checklists and exercises to help you chart your own path to stability.From managing overwhelming feelings and frightening memories to rebuilding daily routines and reconnecting with your strengths, every page is designed to be usable even when concentration is low. Whether you're seeking practical strategies for crisis intervention or looking for ways to support a loved one, this is a no-nonsense guide to finding hope and taking the next step - no matter how small.Overcoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well scheme.Series Editor: Emeritus Professor Peter Cooper

Break free from the crippling cycle of chronic fatigueThis valuable self-help guide offers ways of improving long-lasting fatigue associated with a range of long-term conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome. Using recognised techniques, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps to change coping strategies. The approach described helps people break the vicious circle of fatigue and for many results in a reduction in symptoms and disability. This fully updated new edition provides:Understanding of the latest thought on homeostasis and achieving balanceGuidance on how to improve sleepPractical strategies for balancing activity and restTips on setting and working towards targets that would improve your lifeStep-by-step advice on dealing with blocks to recoveryTools for coping with worry and stressWays to challenge unhelpful thoughtsSuggestions for how partners, relatives and friends can helpOvercoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. READING WELLThis book is recommended by the Reading Well scheme for England delivered by The Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians with funding from Arts Council England and Wellcome. www.reading-well.org.ukSeries Editor: Emeritus Professor Peter Cooper

'An excellent book filled with practical tips for understanding and managing stress.'David M. Clark, Emeritus Professor of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordMost of us know what it is like to feel stressed - so much so, in fact, that we take it for granted that we are going to feel stressed and assume that there's not much to be done about it. Too much stress can disrupt our lives almost without our realising it. However, there is a tried-and-tested approach to coping using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).In this easy-to-use self-help guide the authors help you to recognise what happens when under stress and how to change how you think, feel and act so that you learn to retain a balanced outlook on life and manage it more effectively too.· Provides a complete CBT self-help course with case studies and step-by-step explanations· Shows how to permanently improve your overall quality of life by changing the ways you respond to stressOvercoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well scheme.Series Editor: Emeritus Professor Peter Cooper

Emotional, physical and sexual abuse in childhood can result in a range of problems and lead to long-term difficulties that make life a struggle.With this in mind, clinical psychologist Dr Helen Kennerley has devised this highly acclaimed self-help programme based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help you to understand the links between your past trauma and any present difficulties. It offers you the means to gain control of your life and your feelings, enabling you to deal with any intrusive memories and mood swings, and develop healthy, better relationships in adulthood. Anyone who has endured childhood abuse and continues to battle with its aftermath will find this book supportive and liberating. The book gives you:- An understanding of the range of problems childhood abuse can create- Advice on how to build healthy relationships in adulthood- A structured, step-by-step self-help guideOVERCOMING self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well scheme.Series Editor: Emeritus Professor Peter Cooper

How you can stop worrying about your health and enjoy life'This book not only helps sufferers to better understand the nature of the problem, but also provides them with the skills necessary to overcome it and to regain quality of life'Professor Paul Salkovskis, Professor of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordMany of us have a tendency to worry unnecessarily about our health. For some the anxiety becomes severe and persistent. This can involve spending many hours checking for symptoms, seeking reassurance from others, surfing the internet for information about different diseases, or repeatedly visiting the doctor. It is distressing for them and for everyone around them.In fact, health anxiety can be very successfully treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - the approach taken in this self-help guide. Using a structured, step-by-step approach the authors explain how the problem develops, how to recognise what feeds it and how to develop effective methods of dealing with it. This book includes:- Questionnaires, case studies and exercises- Chapters on fear of death and on medicationOvercoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, boith psychological and physical.READING WELLThis book is recommended by the national Reading Well scheme for England and Wales delivered by The Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians with funding from Arts Council England and Wellcome.www.reading-well.org.ukSeries Editor: Emeritus Professor Peter Cooper

Most of us know about extreme highs or lows. For some people, however, emotional extremes can seriously disrupt our lives, either because they happen too frequently or because the mood swings are intense and accompanied by other symptoms of depression or mania, such as changes in energy and activity levels.This valuable self-help guide teaches tried-and-tested strategies that will help anyone troubled by mood swings to effectively identify and manage their moods, and achieve a more stable and comfortable emotional balance. It includes:- Information on depression and mania- A step-by-step, structured self-help programme and monitoring sheetsOvercoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical.READING WELLThis book is recommended by the national Reading Well scheme for England and Wales, delivered by the Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians with funding from Arts Council England and Wellcome.www.reading-well.org.ukSeries Editor: Emeritus professor Peter Cooper

Step-by-step - the proven path to recovery from bulimia nervosaStringent dieting and making yourself vomit after overeating are common features of bulimia nervosa, as are depression, anxiety and feelings of worthlessness. This illness causes great distress to sufferers and those who care about them, but in recent years there have been real advances in treatment.In the fourth edition of this sympathetic and highly acclaimed guide, you will find a clear explanation of the disorder and the serious health issues that can result from it as well as learning about the treatments available today. Most importantly, this book offers a step-by-step programme for those who want to tackle their difficulties.This programme has been found in independent clinical research to be of substantial benefit to people with bulimia nervosa (Psychological Medicine, 2005). This book will also give friends and family a much clearer understanding of the illness and its treatment.OVERCOMING self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical.This book is recommended by the national Reading Well scheme for England and Wales, delivered by the Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians with funding from Arts Council England and Wellcome.www.reading-well.org.ukSeries editor: Emeritus professor Peter Cooper

Don't allow a negative body image to ruin your life.'Not only a truly comprehensive self-help guide but an enormously helpful resource for professionals. With this book, the authors have made a great contribution to the alleviation of suffering' Kevin Gournay CBE, emeritus professor, King's College LondonFew of us are happy with our bodies, but three in every hundred people have a body image problem. One that frequently occurs is body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) - a recognised psychological condition when people become fixated on perceived defects in their appearance, very real to them but not apparent to others.Other body image problems can arise from difficulty in dealing with a disfigurement, eating disorders or dissatisfaction with weight or shape. Such preoccupations not only cause distress but can lead to anxiety or social phobia.This guide is written by authors who are highly experienced in treating BDD and will provide you with:- A clear, step-by-step course based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques - The tools to enable you to understand, work through and take control of your life againOvercoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well scheme.

Step-by-step - the proven path to recovery from binge eating disorderBinge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder but is often misunderstood or dismissed. It can be extremely difficult to talk about due to the feelings of shame and distress it can cause. Many never seek treatment, and those that do can face long waiting lists, efforts that don't work, or a feeling hopeless about the possibility of change.In this sympathetic and supportive self-help guide, you will find a clear explanation of BED and the serious health issues that can result from it as well as learning about the treatments available today. Most importantly, this book offers a step-by-step programme for those who want to tackle their difficulties. This guide will also give friends and family a much clearer understanding of the illness and its treatment.CBT is the recommended treatment for BED across the world, with considerable evidence indicating its effectiveness. In this book, you will learn CBT techniques to support you to:· Regain a sense of control over your food intake· Establish a more stable pattern of eating· Manage your mood and distressing feelings about body weight, shape and dieting · Build your own 'toolkit' to overcome problematic eatingOVERCOMING self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical.Series editor: Emeritus professor Peter Cooper

INTRODUCED BY PAUL KINGSNORTH, Booker-shortlisted author of The Wake'I thought that there were two rules in life - never count the cost, and never do anything unless you can do it wholeheartedly. Now is the time to live.' Artist and wanderer Everett Ruess left home at the age of sixteen to immerse himself in the harsh desert landscapes of the American Southwest. With only his donkeys for company, driven by an insatiable longing for beauty and experience, he ventured ever further from civilisation and into the wilderness of Navajo country.In 1934, at the age of twenty, he vanished without trace in Utah, a disappearance that remains unsolved to this day. Through letters, diary excerpts and poems - charting not only his rugged adventures and his exquisite nature writing but his progression as a writer, and into adulthood - and with commentary by W. L. Rusho, A Vagabond for Beauty tells his remarkable story.

INTRODUCED BY ADAM WEYMOUTH, award-winning author of The Kings of Yukon'A wonderful book -- and a highly original contribution to the literature of travel' PAUL THEROUX'The Mississippi. Mighty, muddy, dangerous, rebellious and yet a strong, fathering kind of river. The river captured my imagination when I was young and has never let go.' Mississippi Solo tells the story of one man's voyage by canoe down the Mississippi River from its source in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico - a longtime dream, and a journey of over 2,000 miles through the heart of America. Paddling into the Southern states - going from 'where there ain't no black folks to where they still don't like us much' - Eddy is confronted by the legacy of slavery and modern racism, including an incident with a pair of shotgun-toting bigots. There are also the dangers of passing barges, wild dogs roaming the wooded shore, and navigating a waterway that grows vaster, and more hazardous, every day.But Eddy also encounters immense human kindness, friendship and hospitality, as well as coming to know the majestic power - and the awesome dangers - of the river itself. Mississippi Solo is an unforgettable American adventure.

INTRODUCED BY FIONA MOZLEY, Booker-shortlisted author of ElmetWITH EXCERPTS FROM ALL THE ROADS ARE OPEN BY ANNEMARIE SCHWARZENBACH'We were both travellers - she always running away from an emotional crisis (not seeing that she was already wishing for the next), I always seeking far afield the secret of harmonious living, or filling up time by courting risk, caught by the clean sharp "taste" it gives to life.'In 1939, adventurer and writer Ella Maillart set off on an epic drive from Geneva to Kabul, accompanied by journalist and photographer Annemarie Schwarzenbach, who later became an antifascist and lesbian icon. The two women travelled partly to escape the coming war in Europe, embarking on a daring, and often dangerous, journey through regions where European women were a rarity. But Schwarzenbach was also fighting a losing battle with morphine addiction, and the women's close but often troubled relationship takes centre stage in the narrative as the journey progresses through Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.Encountering breathtaking landscapes, ancient ruins and nomadic peoples, The Cruel Way is a gripping, lyrical and deeply empathetic portrait of places, people and friendship. Brought together for the first time with excerpts from All the Roads are Open, Annemarie Schwarzenbach's parallel account of the journey.