Almost Anxious

October 7, 2013
This consummately researched manual on the anxiety spectrum is one in a series of books by Harvard Medical School faculty on "the Almost Effect"ânamely, 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 flowâin which moderate anxiety leads to increased performanceâand 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 needâand wayâto 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.