“Dr. Sapadin’s brilliant guide on how to manage our fears and persistent worries is an essential read for our times! She provides readers with a practical and powerful set of guidelines that help them gain control over intense emotions and, in the process, build a better life.”
—Dr. Philip G. Zimbardo, former professor at Stanford University and former president of the American Psychological Association, renowned worldwide as a leading figure in psychology for his Stanford Prison Experiment and his widely used university psychology textbooks, including “Zimbardo’s Psychology and Life,” “The Shyness Cure,” and “The Decline of Men.”

“This is a highly valuable self-help book, written in clear language and packed with excellent advice, engaging quizzes, creative exercises, and numerous anecdotes about people who have grappled with various fears. Dr. Sapadin explains this often paralyzing way of living with empathy and offers concrete strategies for breaking free from these patterns. By openly sharing her own experiences with fear and how she overcame it, she boldly moves beyond theory and case studies to establish a deep connection with her readers. If you’re looking to ease your fears and bring more light into your life, this book is a must-read.”
—Dr. Carol Goldberg, host and producer of the award-winning television show “Dr. Carol Goldberg & Co.”

“In this highly useful book, Dr. Sapadin does not take a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing the multifaceted experience of fear. Instead, she offers readers specific, creative recommendations tailored to their individual fear styles, empowering them to take control of their fears in a way that works for them. She also includes simple yet powerful tasks designed to help you create positive change in your life. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to my clients, my friends, and anyone whose life has been held back by fear.”
—Dr. Pauline Wallin, clinical psychologist and author of “Taming Your Inner Tornado: A Guide to Changing Self-Defeating Behaviors”

“This is an inspiring, empowering book that will help any reader who feels paralyzed by fear or overwhelmed by a disorganized, chaotic way of life. It offers a wealth of creative yet practical advice on how to transform self-defeating emotions and behaviors, enabling you to leave fear behind. I highly recommend it!”
—Barry J. Izsak, President of the National Association of Professional Organizers

“For those living in the grip of fear, ‘Overcoming Fear’ is an invaluable resource. Dr. Sapadin successfully combines effective strategies for conquering fear with a holistic approach to achieving greater life satisfaction and well-being.”
—Dr. Elizabeth K. Carll, clinical psychologist and Chair of the Media Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association

★Highly acclaimed global psychology expert, former Stanford University professor, former president of the American Psychological Association, and author of “Zimbardo’s Introduction to Psychology,” Dr. Philip G. Zimbardo, offers an authoritative recommendation!
★Sold for Chinese simplified rights.

Perhaps some children are born into this world with boldness, confidence, and courage, but I wasn’t one of them—I was born into worry. I’ve always been naturally sensitive and shy, and many things have made me feel afraid. In contrast, the person I am today is a confident, capable, and courageous adult. Even now, my own journey still amazes me. Some of the experiences I’ve had are truly extraordinary—for example, tracking mountain gorillas in Uganda or appearing on national television. But to me, other acts are equally brave: speaking your mind without worrying about what others think, disagreeing with authority figures, or taking part in a tennis match that pushes you slightly beyond your comfort zone.
Most of the time, my fears don’t control my actions. If fear did take over, I wouldn’t be able to do half the things I’m doing today. At times, though, I complete a project that takes me into uncharted territory, reigniting old fears from my past. In those moments, I feel both excited and terrified. Over the years, I’ve learned a great deal about how to manage fear—and that’s precisely why I wrote this book. I hope you’ll find it just as enlightening, helping you leave fear and worry behind so you can live your best life. Below is a quick overview of the skills you’ll learn:
1. Break free from worry through your thinking. You’ll learn how to reframe your perception of frightening situations, shifting from compulsive rumination to solution-focused thinking. Another invaluable skill you’ll develop is learning how to weigh risks and rewards—this will empower you to make decisions even in the face of uncertainty.
2. Conquer worry with words. Just as worrisome thoughts can weigh heavily on your mind, worrisome speech can have a profound impact on your emotional and physical well-being. Habitually speaking dark, heavy words—whether to others or to yourself—can cause both mental and physical distress, as if you’re reliving the negative events themselves. Learn how to free your body from the grip of worry. Fear manifests in the body in many ways—from tension and stiffness to pain, discomfort, and fatigue. Even when your mind forgets, your body remembers. By mastering techniques such as movement exercises, deep-breathing practices, and the healing power of music, you can release the fear stored in your body—and open yourself more fully to all that life has to offer.
3. Find your own path out of worry. Many people believe that courage means being fearless. In reality, courageous individuals do experience fear—but they have the ability to act despite it. This book will teach you how to do what needs to be done, even when it feels hard or terrifying.

Dr. Linda Sapadin
Dr. Linda Sapadin is a board-certified psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association, dedicated to helping people overcome self-defeating patterns in their lives.
She is the author of several books, including “It’s Time: The Six Types of Procrastination and How to Overcome Them” and “How to Beat Procrastination in the Digital Age.”
Dr. Sapadin has appeared on “The Today Show” and “Good Morning America,” and has provided educational programming support to the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of American History. She has been praised as a “Smithsonian Institution Model Mentor.”