A self-help memoir that takes an unflinching look at a young man's undiagnosed anxiety disorder and OCD. "'THIS IS WRITING AT ITS MOST FEARLESS.' Matt Bright, Everybody's Reviewing 'WESTOBY GIVES A VOICE TO TEENAGERS UNABLE TO COPE WITH EVERYDAY LIFE... THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL READ.' Paul Taylor-Mcartney, Writers in Education Chris Westoby takes us inside his past self, a teenager from a small English town. He's trying to be a good friend, student, son and boyfriend, but he struggles to be in company without wanting to hide. And things only get worse: it's nearly impossible to take the bus to college without catching the next bus home. His obsessive germaphobia begins to destroy his life. How can one boy overcome all this? Chris offers am unflinching, raw account of his troubles and offers what he's learnt. This book an outstretched hand to those fighting these same battles, or to anyone who's watching someone else go through the same. The Fear Talking does not promise to solve your problems, but it shows you that you're not alone. That's all Chris ever wanted, really; to unflinchingly capture the warmth and darkness of the teenage years. Some Expert Reactions 'Read this book, and you will never forget it. As a narrative it's fascinating. As the memoir of a life lived with anxiety, it's incomparable.' Peter Draper, Emeritus Professor of Nursing Education, UNIVERSITY OF HULL 'Anxiety is the most common form of mental distress and of course overlaps with normal human emotion. Yet it can be overwhelming and disabling and a gateway to other mental ill health notably depression and self-medication with alcohol and other substances. This engaging account throws a spotlight on how anxiety impacts on everyday life and relationships.' Patrick McGorry, Professor of Youth Mental Health, UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE 'In The Fear Talking, Chris Westoby achieves the well-nigh impossible, giving us a fully immersive account of adolescent anxiety, allowing the reader to feel and experience with the narrator. If one of the main aims of the memoir form is to induce empathy in readers, Westoby's memoir succeeds brilliantly. The reader comes away with a new and profound understanding of what mental illness feels like from within.' Jonathan Taylor, Associate Professor Creative Writing, UNIVERSITY OF LECEISTER

This book teaches you 7 proven strategies to help you find your inner presenter. Today is the day you take charge of your anxiety, calm your nerves, and - most importantly - speak with no fear.

'In The Spotlight is a dynamic workbook for the anxious presenter or performer! Short, easy-to-understand chapters with succinct summaries and powerful action steps, make this book a must-read!' Anthony Robbins, author of Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power. Are you tired of suffering from stage fright? Have you had enough of feeling terrified of speaking or performing in front of others, and trying to avoid it at all costs? If so, In The SpotLight is perfect for you! It reveals the principles, methods and strategies that can help you get beyond stage fright and create a whole new possibility for comfortable and confident speaking and performing. It will also help you if you are self-conscious and uncomfortable in any social situation.

Throughout your life, you've had parents, coaches, teachers, friends, and mentors who have pushed you to be better than your excuses and bigger than your fears. What if the secret to having the confidence and courage to enrich your life and work is simply knowing how to push yourself? Using the science habits, riveting stories and surprising facts from some of the most famous moments in history, art and business, Mel Robbins will explain the power of a "push moment." Then, she'll give you one simple tool you can use to become your greatest self. It take just five seconds to use this tool, and every time you do, you'll be in great company. More than 8 million people have watched Mel's TEDx Talk, and executives inside of the world's largest brands are using the tool to increase productivity, collaboration, and engagement. In The 5 Second Rule, you'll discover it takes just five seconds to: Become confident Break the habit of procrastination and self-doubt Beat fear and uncertainty Stop worrying and feel happier Share your ideas with courage The 5 Second Rule is a simple, one-size-fits-all solution for the one problem we all face—we hold ourselves back. The secret isn't knowing what to do—it's knowing how to make yourself do it. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial}

A first step to talking about fear--what it is, how it helps, and how to not let fear stand in your way! Everyone feels fear sometimes. This little book shines a light on the fear that keeps us from the things we love, honors the good things fear can teach us, and calls every kid to not let fear stand in the way!

“The best way to deliver a powerful message is to ‘be a good person skilled in speaking’ . . . And you can change the world with your words.” —Joe Hart, CEO, Dale Carnegie & Associates If the thought of speaking in public makes you anxious, you’re not alone. The good news is that you don’t need to suffer from stress when it’s your time to stand up in front of others. Being comfortable as a speaker requires recognizing that speaking is not about you, it’s about the audience. When we focus on the message the audience needs to hear, how it will be received by the audience, and we deliver it from the heart, the fear of public speaking disappears. “What makes a powerful presentation is the experience the speaker gives to an audience. By being yourself and letting people see who you really are, you leave every audience with a unique gift, and that gift is you.” —Ercell Charles, VP of Customer Transformation, Dale Carnegie & Associates This book focuses on ways to unleash what we already have inside us: the ability to communicate our message through powerful, and even world-changing, presentations. Read this book and learn to conquer your fear of public speaking by: • Focusing on the audience • Delivering ideas convincingly • Presenting a confident image • Energizing an audience • Effectively explaining difficult subjects • Winning skeptics to your viewpoint • Persuading a group to take action

Often described as 'social phobia's cousin' and misdiagnosed as autism, selective mutism is a debilitating fear of speaking in some situations experienced by some children. The disorder usually presents in children before the age of five, but it may not be recognized until the child starts school. When requested to speak, children with selective mutism often look down, blush, or otherwise express anxiety that disrupts their engagement with people and activities. Selective mutism is related to social anxiety and social phobia, and more than 90 percent of children with selective mutism also manifest symptoms of one of these problems. This book is the first available for parents of children with selective mutism. It offers a broad overview of the condition and reviews the diagnostic criteria for the disorder. The book details a plan you can use to coordinate professional treatment of your child's disorder. It also explains the steps you can take on your own to encourage your child to speak comfortably in school and in his or her peer group. All of the book's strategies employ a gradual, 'stepladder' approach. The techniques gently encourage children to speak more, while at the same time helping them feel safe and supported. Angela E. McHolm, Ph.D., is director of the Selective Mutism Service at McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton, ON. The Selective Mutism Service offers outpatient psychiatric consultation to families and professionals such as school personnel, speech and language pathologists, and mental health clinicians who support children with selective mutism. She is assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, ON.