For anxiety and overthinking, The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for reducing worry and handling painful thoughts. Women Who Think Too Much by Dr Susan Nolen-Hoeksema is about breaking free of overthinking, and Addicted to Anxiety by psychotherapist Owen O'Kane looks at the habits that keep anxiety going.
This guide is for adults who worry a lot, can't stop going over things, or have thoughts they don't want. It also includes a book for parents of anxious children and a picture book for children aged 3 to 5. If your anxiety shows up mainly in relationships, see Anxiously Attached below.
For people who feel anxiety is running their life. Psychotherapist Owen O'Kane argues that the behaviours and thought patterns that make us feel safe in the short term keep anxiety going, and sets out three steps: recognise your triggers, tackle the underlying habits, and plan for setbacks.
For people caught up in worry, stress or painful thoughts. This updated second edition presents the techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), including clarifying your values, developing self-compassion and handling painful thoughts and feelings more effectively.
For women who go over the same thoughts again and again. Dr Susan Nolen-Hoeksema questions the assumption that constantly analysing our emotions is a good thing, and sets out how to break free of overthinking.
For anyone troubled by unwanted, frightening or disturbing thoughts. Two anxiety specialists explain the different kinds of intrusive thoughts, why common ways of trying to get rid of them can backfire, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skills for coping with them.
For readers who want short sections they can turn to when needed. Clinical psychologist Dr Julie Smith covers managing anxiety, low mood, criticism and self-confidence in bite-sized entries with practical coping techniques.
For people who want a daily practice. Based on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), it sets out simple practices, taking a few minutes a day, aimed at breaking the cycle of anxiety, stress, unhappiness and exhaustion.
For people whose anxiety shows up mainly in relationships, such as worrying when a partner doesn't reply to a text quickly. Psychotherapist and couples' counsellor Jessica Baum covers setting boundaries, saying what you need, and self-worth.
For parents of anxious children and teenagers. It sets out a parent-based programme: rather than making the child change, parents learn to replace their own accommodating behaviours with supportive responses, with worksheets to help put this into practice.
A picture book for children aged 3 to 5. Ruby finds a worry that grows bigger every day, and the story is a way into talking with children about sharing their worries. It is part of the Big Bright Feelings series.
Women Who Think Too Much is about breaking free of overthinking. If your thoughts are unwanted or frightening rather than repetitive, Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts is more specific.
ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The Happiness Trap introduces its techniques, such as clarifying your values and handling painful thoughts and feelings more effectively.
Anxiously Attached is written for people who struggle with anxiety in love. Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller explains the anxious, avoidant and secure attachment styles.
Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD is written for parents. For younger children, Ruby's Worry and The Huge Bag of Worries are picture books about sharing worries, listed for ages 3 to 5.
Selected by Fox & Fable from books in stock. Last updated 30 September 2026.
If you're struggling, talk to your GP, or call Samaritans free on 116 123 (UK, 24 hours).
