The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Workbook: A Comprehensive CBT Guide for Coping with Uncertainty, Worry, and Fear

266 Pages·2015·2.62 MB·English

by  Melisa Robichaud

“If you have ever engaged in excessive worry, you will find value in The Generalized Anxiety
Disorder Workbook. This volume introduces the concepts of intolerance of uncertainty and the
search for safety as key aspects of the worry cycle to explain the core processes involved in
unwarranted worry. The real jewels of this book, however, are the very many concrete and
applicable tools that it provides to readers, to help them both understand their worry and to
correct their concerns, if necessary. This workbook is based on solid research as well as the
framework of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and is written in an accessible and practical
manner by two of the world’s leading authorities. I recommend it with no uncertainty.”
— Keith S. Dobson, PhD, professor of clinical psychology at the University of Calgary,
Canada; past president of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy; and past president of
the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy
“This is a fantastic workbook for several reasons: it is based on a treatment that has strong
scientific support from multiple trials; it is brilliantly written, and is highly practical. The
downloadable worksheets and exercises, clear examples, and obvious expertise of the authors
make this an invaluable resource for people suffering from excessive worry, as well as health
professionals.”
— Roz Shafran, PhD, clinical psychologist and professor of translational psychology
at the University College London Institute of Child Health
“The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Workbook provides a thorough, engaging, and accessible
guide for managing worry. The CBT- based approach is comprehensive, starts from basics, and
should have something of value for everyone who struggles with uncontrollable and distressing
worry.”
— Graham C. L. Davey, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Sussex,
United Kingdom
“Everyone who suffers from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or has any difficulties
with worry should read this book. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Workbook provides an
outstanding step- by- step guide to understanding and overcoming worry and anxiety, uti-
lizing scientifically proven techniques and strategies. Robichaud and Dugas are interna-
tionally recognized experts who so aptly translate the research findings and practical skills
into a workbook that is reader friendly, engaging, and easy to understand. This book
should also be required reading for professionals and students interested in the treatment
of anxiety.”
— David J. A. Dozois, PhD, professor and director of the clinical psychology
graduate program in the department of psychology at the University of
Western Ontario
“Building on decades of research and their own extensive clinical expertise, Robichaud
and Dugas provide easy- to- follow, useful steps that will help people struggling with worry
to cope more effectively with those challenges. I highly recommend this book for anyone
who feels anxiety is interfering with their lives, and for the therapists who are helping
them.”
— Lizabeth Roemer, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of
Massachusetts Boston, and coauthor of The Mindful Way Through Anxiety
the
generalized
anxiety
disorder
workbook
A Comprehensive CBT Guide for Coping
with Uncertainty, Worry, and Fear
Melisa Robichaud, PhD
Michel J. Dugas, PhD

New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Publisher’s Note
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the
understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assis-
tance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books
Copyright © 2015 by Melisa Robichaud and Michel J. Dugas
New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com
Cover design by Amy Shoup
Acquired by Jess O’Brien
Edited by Jasmine Star
All Rights Reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Robichaud, Melisa. | Dugas, Michel J. (Michel Joseph), 1961-
Title: The generalized anxiety disorder workbook : a comprehensive CBT guide
for coping with uncertainty, worry, and fear / Melisa Robichaud, PhD, and
Michel J. Dugas, PhD.
Description: Oakland, CA : New Harbinger Publications, [2015] | Includes
bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015026340| ISBN 9781626251519 (paperback) | ISBN
9781626251526 (pdf e-book) | ISBN 9781626251533 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Anxiety disorders--Treatment--Handbooks, manuals, etc. |
Cognitive therapy--Handbooks, manuals, etc. | BISAC: SELF-HELP / Anxieties
& Phobias. | PSYCHOLOGY / Psychopathology / Anxieties & Phobias.
Classification: LCC RC531 .R59 2015 | DDC 616.85/22--dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015026340
Printed in the United States of America
17 16 15
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 First printing
To Carolyn and Antony
—MR
À Céline, Jérémie, et Sophie
—MJD

Contents
Foreword vii
Introduction 1
1 Worry, Anxiety, and GAD 5
2 CBT for GAD 29
3 Is Worry Helpful? 51
4 Positive Beliefs About Worry: Examining the Evidence 71
5 Worry and the Threat of Uncertainty 103
6 Intolerance of Uncertainty in Action: Identifying Safety Behaviors 117
7 Tolerating Uncertainty: Testing Out Beliefs About Uncertainty 133
8 Moving Toward Embracing Uncertainty 149
9 Coping with Worries About Current Problems 167
10 Coping with Worries About Hypothetical Situations 195
11 Building on Gains: Managing Worries over Time 213
12 Bumps in the Road: Coping with Lapses and Relapses 227
Acknowledgments 243
References 247

Foreword
It’s an honor to contribute this foreword to The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Workbook. I
treated my first client with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)— I’ll call her “Jacqui”— back
in 1989, when I was still a graduate student. Jacqui was not just the first person with GAD I
had worked with— she was my first client ever! We used a combination of strategies designed
to help Jacqui challenge her anxiety- provoking thoughts and learn to relax, based on several
early studies on the treatment of GAD. Despite my lack of experience, Jacqui did well in
therapy, experiencing a significant reduction in her worry. This opportunity to work with
Jacqui early in my career reinforced for me the value of changing the thoughts and behaviors
that maintain problem worry in order to better manage anxiety (both Jacqui’s, and that of her
brand new therapist- in- training!).
Fast- forward twenty- six years. Effective psychological treatments for GAD are now much
better established. They are based on a more refined understanding of the nature of GAD, and
are supported by many well- controlled studies, including groundbreaking research by the
authors of this book. However, what has remained missing all of these years is a step- by- step
self- help workbook describing these proven strategies for overcoming GAD. There are a
number of good evidence- based self- help books for dealing with other anxiety- based problems,
and for dealing with anxiety in general, but not much for GAD in particular— until now. I’ve
waited more than twenty- five years for this book!
Melisa Robichaud and Michel Dugas have been studying GAD and its treatment for many
years, and their treatment is among the best supported by research. A recent controlled study
(Dugas et al., 2010) found that after receiving the treatment described in this workbook, 70%