Diagonally-Parked in a Parallel Universe : Working Through Social Anxiety

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Summary: It Works!
Review: I was a recluse, living in my parents' basement and moving from job to job with no friends. I had sunk as far as I could go and was ready to do whatever it took to make it better. This book was the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel for me. Because of it I'm focusing on what I want and working to stop my success-sabotaging behaviors. I'm beginning to control my social anxiety and redirect its energy. Unbelievably I can see hints of self-confidence emerging. I'm exploring ways to create career opportunities for myself and looking forward to the time when I have the money to move out of the basement to a place of my own. Furthermore I've noticed that people are starting to relate to me more positively. As a result, I have even made a few friends at work. Now I'm looking to the future with more hope than fear and that feels wonderful.

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Summary: Treats you like a real person, not a label
Review: What I really like about Diagonally-Parked is that it treats you like the multi-dimensional *real* person you are. It doesn't slap the diagnostic label of SA/SP on you then proceed to view you and everything you do narrowly within that label. Instead, it uses the label as an initial guide only. Then it talks about your individual thoughts, behaviors, feelings, beliefs, the contexts in which they occur, and how to address them generally and in those contexts. This flexibility confers dignity on you the reader. It empowers you and makes so many more things possible. Even if the information and resources in this book weren't invaluable, the philosophy, approach, and presentation alone would make it an absolute winner!

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Summary: Keeps Getting Better and Better!
Review: When I first read this book (in January), I read it cover to cover nonstop and was blown away by the comprehensiveness and depth - everything any SP could want or need to know to aid recovery. But I also unrealistically expected (hoped) that reading alone would produce a miracle - to cure me on the spot. Of course it did not. The real miracle came through me understanding the problem that each exercise addresses then doing the exercises and following the suggestions - tailoring them to me as Dr. Dayhoff recommends. Some things applied and some did not. The doctor clearly spelled it all out in the Introduction, but I was too eager to get through the book - to get to my instantaneous recovery - to bother with that. Well, this time I am following the procedures the doctor recommends and seeing really wonderful results. Each day builds on the last and keeps getting better and better! (I could not have written this - or any other - book review before reading Diagonally Parked.) If you take it slow and easy and do the required work, you will be overwhelmed - overwhelmed by your increasing success!

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Summary: Almost overwhelming.
Review: The first few chapters of this book describe what it is like to have SA/SP and how to differentiate it from other similar conditions. Most of this information was new to me in spite of years of dealing with therapists and doctors in an attempt to deal with this problem. Now I finally think I know what is going on. The main problem with this book, though, is that it presents so much information at such a fast pace that about 1/3 of the way through I felt overwhelmed and just about gave up on it. If you have SA/SP you may expect yourself to absorb every idea and do every exercise in the book. Be forewarned, you won't be able to do it. You need to pick and choose which ideas to apply to your own situation. If you can do this, you will find a lot of useful information in this book - if not you will be very frustrated.

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Summary: The ULTIMATE book for social phobics
Review: I know Signe (Dr. Dayhoff) from a social phobia list where she has shared her experience, knowledge, and suggestions for over three years. This really GREAT book, like her web site, newsletter, and list posts, is an extension of her caring commitment to helping social phobics gain control of their lives and achieve satisfaction. This is "helpful" with a capital "H".

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Summary: Essential Reading For Parents
Review: Every parent of a child who is shy or fearful in social situations MUST read this book. We owe it to our children to nip this problem in the bud before it invades every aspect of their young lives. If only my parents had had it, I know I would not have suffered all these years with this terrible social disability. I am thankful I have the book now.

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Summary: Need for this book is worldwide
Review: Since social anxiety is international, I hope this excellent book is translated into every language so everyone who needs it can benefit from it. It would be a shame and a great loss for them not to be able to access its expert knowledge and sage wisdom.

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommend!
Review: Going to work has been torture for me. When a co-worker said hello I turned bright red, began to tremble and became awkward. I tried to avoid them. Everything my supervisor said to me seemed like a challenge to my ideas and my competence. I deferred to the judgment of others even when I knew they were wrong. I always felt angry, frustrated and inadequate. But now I am changing that. A whole new world is opening up for me and this book is making it possible.

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Summary: It has it all
Review: Diagonally Parked is caring, compassionate, supportive, informative, useful, authoritative, personal, and humorous.

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Summary: Provides needed insight
Review: I have agonized for years over the belief that my social anxiety is my fault and somehow I could have prevented it. But this book has shown me that many factors I had no control over worked together over the years to contribute to my fears. Even though I am working on today's thoughts and behaviors, I feel having some insight about what brought it all about is important. This book shows you not only how it can come about but also gives you the tools for making your own journey of better understanding your social anxiety roots.