Emotional First Aid: Practical Strategies for Treating Failure, Rejection, Guilt, and Other Everyday Psychological Injuries

by Guy Winch Narrated by Guy Winch

Overview

First aid for failure Although we have bandages for cuts, chicken soup for colds, and ice packs for bruises, most of us have no idea how to treat day-to-day emotional injuries such as failure, rejection, and loss. But, as Guy Winch, Ph.D., points out, these kinds of emotional injuries often get worse when left untreated and can significantly impact our quality of life. In this fascinating and highly practical book he provides the emotional first aid treatments we have been lacking. Explaining the long-term fallout that can result from seemingly minor emotional and psychological injuries, Dr. Winch offers concrete, easy-to-use exercises backed up by hard cutting-edge science to aid in recovery. He uses relatable anecdotes about real patients he has treated over the years and often gives us a much needed dose of humor as well.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Clinical psychologist Winch (The Squeaky Wheel) offers valuable advice for bouncing back from life’s disappointments—both big and small—in this outstanding work. While diligently emphasizing the importance of seeking professional advice when necessary, the author also gives readers tools to help themselves overcome everything from excessive and unproductive guilt, to being rejected by a romantic partner. After offering an insightful overview of common psychological issues, such as loneliness and unhealthy rumination, the author lays out potential strategies to cope with each one. Readers learn how to identify self-defeating behaviors, how to appreciate others’ points of view, and, perhaps most importantly of all, how to stop the destructive voice in one’s head from proclaiming inadequacy and failure. But Winch’s approach isn’t simply to avoid all negativity—he points out that even failure, great teacher that it is, can be an important step along one’s journey. This smart tome is a valuable addition to the self-help oeuvre. Agent: Michelle Tessler, Tessler Literary Agency. (July 25)

From the Publisher

Praise for Guy Winch and his Work 
“Dr. Guy Winch’s practical, clever and clear-headed book offers proven remedies for the myriad pains of daily life. Timely application will prevent small and medium-size emotional ills from becoming bigger ones—and that’s just what the psychotherapist ordered.”
—Jeanne Safer, PhD, author of Cain’s Legacy: Liberating Siblings from a Lifetime of Rage, Shame, Secrecy, and Regret

"The advice Winch offers in this refreshingly useful book is both practical and practicable — down-to-earth techniques that really can bring relief when things feel like they're falling apart."
—Anneli Rufus, author of The Big Book of Low Self-Esteem
 
"[An] outstanding work...This smart tome is a valuable addition to the self-help oeuvre."
—Publishers Weekly

“Excellent for all disgruntled souls out there.”
—Library Journal
 
“Winch's book was not only helpful; it was positively entertaining.  His stories are memorable as well as hysterically funny.”
—Psychology Today
 
“Motivating…informative…fascinating.”
—PsychCentral.com
 
“You should run, not walk, to the closest bookstore and grab a copy of The Squeaky Wheel. Not only do I recommend this book but I would like to see it be required reading for every adult and near adult on the planet.”
—The Self Improvement Blog

Library Journal

Author Winch (The Squeaky Wheel) proposes a set of treatments for emotional upsets much like medical remedies for headaches or upset stomachs. He explores common maladies such as rejection, guilt, and failure and provides short explanations of common maladaptive responses, as well as more effective coping mechanisms. For example, the author describes how rejection often leads to punched walls and feelings of insecurity and suggests exercises designed to revive self-worth and combat self-doubt. Readers can easily select relevant chapters that apply to themselves and try out new behaviors.

Verdict Helpful for the average reader encountering life’s speed bumps.—Deborah Bigelow, Leonia P.L., NJ
(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171503017
Publisher:	Ascent Audio
Publication date:	07/25/2013
Edition description:	Unabridged

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