Best Books for Anxiety
Dare by Barry McDonagh is the best book for anxiety for most readers — its counterintuitive approach (accepting and even welcoming anxiety rather than fighting it) is the most effective available because it removes the secondary anxiety of trying to manage anxiety. It's best for readers whose anxiety manifests as panic or health anxiety. The tradeoff: Feeling Good addresses the cognitive distortions underlying anxiety more systematically and is backed by stronger clinical research.
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Quick Comparison
| # | Book | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dare by Barry McDonagh | Best for Panic and Health Anxiety | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 | The Anxiety and Worry Workbook by Clark and Beck | Most Clinically Rigorous | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 | Feeling Good by David D. Burns | Best for CBT Approach | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 | First We Make the Beast Beautiful by Sarah Wilson | Most Personal / Most Relatable | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 | The Worry Trick by David A. Carbonell | Best ACT Approach | Buy on Amazon |
Full Reviews
1. Dare
by Barry McDonagh
McDonagh's DARE response (Defuse, Allow, Run toward, Engage) inverts the usual anxiety management approach. Accept anxiety, don't fight it. The counterintuitive approach is effective precisely because it removes the fight-or-flight response to one's own fight-or-flight response.
Skip this if: Skip this if depression is your primary concern — Dare is specifically targeted at anxiety.
2. The Anxiety and Worry Workbook
by Clark and Beck
A CBT-based workbook for anxiety with extensive exercises. More rigorous than most anxiety books and backed by strong clinical research.
Skip this if: Skip this if you want a quick read — this is a CBT workbook requiring active engagement.
3. Feeling Good
by David D. Burns
Burns's cognitive distortion framework applies to anxious thinking as well as depressive thinking. The thought records are immediately applicable.
Skip this if: Skip this if anxiety without depression is your primary concern — Burns focuses on depression but the CBT approach applies to anxiety.
4. First We Make the Beast Beautiful
by Sarah Wilson
Wilson's memoir of her anxiety disorder and the practices she's found most effective. Best for readers who want to feel understood rather than diagnosed.
Skip this if: Skip this for evidence-based clinical advice — Wilson writes personal experience.
5. The Worry Trick
by David A. Carbonell
Carbonell explains why worrying feels useful and demonstrates why it isn't, using an ACT framework. Best for readers who've tried CBT without success.
Skip this if: Skip this if CBT is already working for you — this takes a different acceptance-based approach.
What to Consider Before You Buy
See a professional
These books are valuable supplements to professional care. If anxiety significantly impairs your functioning, professional treatment is important.
CBT vs. ACT vs. acceptance
Feeling Good uses CBT (challenging distorted thoughts). Dare and The Worry Trick use acceptance approaches. Different frameworks work for different people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book for anxiety?
Dare for most people with anxiety and panic. Feeling Good if your anxiety has significant cognitive distortion components.
Our Verdict
Dare for the most effective anxiety-specific approach. Feeling Good for the most rigorously clinical CBT framework.