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

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Thorough, informative, expert, comprehensive, indepth and full of love. The author obviously cares a tremendous amount about social phobia and social phobics because the book motivates you and holds your hand as it guides you and hugs you when you need a hug and gently prods you when you need a nudge. It is always there with good humor, always accepting you unconditionally when you make a misstep and need to start again.

Rating:
Summary: A Diamond!
Review: I thought I was eccentric. I couldn't write in public or use public restrooms or eat in front of others and a whole slew of other "odd" behaviors. Then I chanced upon this book through a newsgroup and suddenly I knew I have a real problem with a name and treatment. What a great find! This book says it all and does it all. As I read explanations of social anxiety and about others like me, I knew I had found a beautifully-cut diamond in this book. Even though I have been working on the exercises and strategies a short time, I can feel a significant difference. I can put pen to paper in public and make my writing "almost legible" - that is a huge improvement for me. Public bathrooms are still intimidating but I am getting better and better about them. The best thing is that I am looking at life and social situations in a more positive light and the more I read and practice, the more positive and hopeful I feel. I hope many others will bask in the radiance of this gem.

Rating:
Summary: Learn how to be really effective
Review: A friend was reading this book and said I really had to too but I said my so-called "social anxiety" was not that big a problem for me. She said that did not matter because the advice on how to be interpersonally effective was excellent. So I borrowed hers, read it then immediately purchased my own because I wanted follow every suggestion. Whether Dr. Dayhoff is talking about simply talking to others or presenting materials or making contacts or finding mentors and jobs, she nails it with exactly what you have to do and how you have to do it to be effective. I never realized there were so many little things you can do to improve your image and self-presentation to the world to make people listen and see you as credible and valuable. What is ironic is that after immersing myself in this book, I discovered that I do have more of a problem with talking before groups or my boss and meeting strangers than I thought. So the focus on social anxiety turned out to be an extra added bonus.

Rating:
Summary: Not your ordinary social anxiety how-to
Review: This book is a real and welcomed surprise. Definitely not you run of the mill psychology self-help like so many others. Instead this one is sharp, clear, sparkling, comprehensive, indepth, personal and humorous. It has everything you could possibly need or want. One thing I especially liked about it is its flow. There's a wonderful developmental flow to what is presented, how it's presented and when. It seems to follow how your mind works in addressing and solving problems. Each new strategy, tool or piece of information flows naturally from the one before it to the next. Each new step builds on the last and the result is increased confidence and empowerment. Everyone can benefit from this book but social phobics should not be without it!

Rating:
Summary: It's time for Diagonally-Parked in a Parallel Universe
Review: Social phobia is a kind phrase for a highly invisible, debilitating disorder. Its intensity is alarming and confusing to those who are caregivers and exrememly painful for those who suffer, mostly in silence. IT'S TIME FOR DIAGONALLY-PARKED IN A PARALLEL UNIVERSE. This book is dynamically informative and compassionately written by someone who has endured SA/SP's grip and ultimately moved past this affliction. Dr. Dayhoff is dedicated to guiding and supporting others in their journey to recovery.

Rating:
Summary: Where has this FANTASTIC book been all my life!
Review: I have checked out every book on SP but *nothing* matches this book for giving SPs what we really need to get better! Nothing. This is not some simple list of inventories or guidelines or exercises. This is not some brief and superficial description of our lives as seen by someone who does not really understand the hell we struggle through on a daily basis in everything we do. This book is really written *by us* and *about us* and tells it like it is from *our* perspective. Hallelujah! EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT - SPs, their families and friends and especially the public who too often think our problem is we are shy, lazy whiners. This is a clear and brilliant ray of light to illuminate our problem and *really* get us on the road to recovery. What a profound and welcomed contribution!

Rating:
Summary: Terrific!
Review: Diagonally-Parked in a Parallel Universe is EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about social phobia - and CONQUERING it - but were afraid to ask! Dr. Dayhoff is a life saver. I can't thank her enough for what she has done for me. When I think about the changes I've experienced as a result of this book, I cry with joy. I'm finally experiencing the REAL me that's been submerged under all that fear and avoidance and it's too wonderful for words. I'm actually dating and enjoying work. This book really is the social phobic's bible and salvation!

Rating:
Summary: For Anyone
Review: Well-written and in-depth. For anyone who wants to know more about social phobia. The book not only explains it in great detail without being too complex to understand, but covers areas other books on the subject fail to explore.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening!
Review: I found Diagonally-Parked in a Parallel Universe enlightening while being very entertaining. Dr. Dayhoff lets us have the facts but laces them liberally with great humor and insight. A great read.

Rating:
Summary: A work of Courage
Review: I just had to write of Dr. Signe Dayhoff's "Diagonally Parked in a Parallel Universe" to express my sincere admiration for her achievement. As a sufferer of generalized SA/SP for most of my 34 years, I can relate to so much of what Dr Dayhoff has written, from the examples of first-hand tales to the searching for the origins and triggers of what truly paralyzes us and why. I myself, am coping in life by wearing a mask of extroversion even though my natural temperament is of the INFJ-INFP Keirsey type. Like most SA/SP'ers we are supreme actors but ultimately are only deceiving ourselves which makes "Diagonally Parked" a God-send in alleviating our fears and controlling our physical symptoms: the gist of our fear of embarrasement. Humour, that all important element for a successful recovery, is present with charming drawings of scenes we can all relate to. My favorite drawing on page 87 makes me laugh everytime I see it, expressing my inward reaction to fear as my "extroverted act" starts showing cracks. For someone who has experienced what we feel everyday, Dr Dayhoff's writing of this book shows a tremendous amount of courage "in coming out", something we can all feed off of and find hope in. I, myself would never post to a newsgroup for fear of critical scrutiny. The fact that I wrote this review speaks for the effectivess of Dr. Dayhoff's insight and approach. Kudos to Saint Signe!