Help! I’m Dying Again

This book is so incredibly helpful. The personal insight provided by the author who herself suffered with health anxiety makes all the difference. Reading this is like being advised by a friend who has been through the same stuff themselves and really understands the suffering and behaviours you are experiencing. As the mother of child who suffered severe health anxiety I recognised the symptoms and thought processes that my daughter describes. Thus when describing how to break these patterns of behaviour it all makes perfect, logical easy to follow sense. This book will make all the difference to my daughter I am sure. I cannot describe the gratitude I feel to the writer for producing this book. If you suffer with health anxiety this book is a must-have ! If I could give this book 10 stars rather than the maximum five I would!

This is a great, practical guide to understanding and managing health anxiety. The author does an excellent job of breaking down the cycle of anxious thoughts and providing actionable strategies to regain control. I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with health anxiety-it's genuinely helpful and a book i'm glad to have in my toolbox!

This is how I would like more self-guides and CBT books to be. The problems are defined, the solutions are encouraged, self-initiated and the 'reframe' framework of CBT is clearly described. I will gift this to my loved ones who have health anxiety.

This was definitely one the most comprehensive and encouraging books on health anxiety that I've read! Dr. Chesworth's writing style was open and friendly, and she freely shared her own personal experiences navigating her own anxiety related to her health. It was clear she was very knowledgeable about her topic and her research was very well presented. Sharing some of her patient's experiences was also extremely helpful. So many times, through the course of the book I was like "Oh that exactly how I perceive and struggle with a wide variety of bodily symptoms and many potential medical situations that I'm afraid of". Each chapter contained very thorough explanations for each dimension of health anxiety. It also includes detailed information on how CBT techniques can help with the often flawed thinking that HA creates, and many exercises to put healthier thought processes into practice. It's definitely not a book you can rush through if you want to receive the full benefits of CBT. Nor would it replace one on one visits with a qualified therapist if your anxiety is severe. But I can see that working through the exercises would definitely be an excellent start to rewiring our often 'stuck' brains. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to going back to the beginning and working through all of the concepts and exercises at a slower pace! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

As a medical doctor, I find Chesworth's work systematically captures the reality of health anxiety. "I'm dying" captures how normal sensations spiral into catastrophe through cognitive distortions. We don't react to what happens - we react to our interpretations. A racing heart becomes "I'm having a heart attack," triggering genuine panic. Core beliefs like "my body is fragile" and "any symptom could be serious" fuel this misinterpretation, with each episode reinforcing the pattern. The desperate "Help!" embodies the safety-seeking behaviors that trap patients in the cycle: Body checking (constant pulse monitoring, self-examination), Reassurance seeking (repeated doctor visits, asking others), Compulsive Googling and avoidance etc. These behaviors feel protective but paradoxically maintain anxiety. They prevent learning that symptoms resolve naturally, while the temporary relief they provide reinforces the false belief that vigilance equals safety.. The weary "again" conveys something only lived experience can capture - the exhaustion of simultaneously knowing you've survived this before while remaining utterly convinced that this time is different.. CBT remains first-line treatment because it systematically dismantles maintaining factor: Thought awareness and cognitive restructuring, Identifying and eliminating safety behaviors, Behavioral experiments to test catastrophic predictions, Core belief modification: from "I'm fragile" to "I'm resilient"*. "Importantly, CBT isn't about positive thinking - it's about logical, evidence-based thinking.** What sets this book apart for healthcare providers, patients, and their supporters is Chesworth's rare dual perspective. Her clinical knowledge provides the framework, but her personal journey through health anxiety breathes life into the science. She doesn't just describe the condition - she knows how it feels, making this far more engaging than typical medical texts.

As a person who suffers from health anxiety I wanted to read this book for any insights and tips it might offer to manage it. Health anxiety can feel quite isolating because I do not personally know of anyone who suffers from it quite like I do. Therefore this book made me feel understood. The book is easily readable and I found that I related to many of the situations portrayed. Now I must do the exercises as recommended and give myself time throughout the week to complete the exercises in each chapter. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I cannot understate how important this topic is and how much this effects the lives of people that suffer from it. I am so happy to read a book on this topic by someone knowledgeable. I felt comforted seeing my own thoughts and worries on the page, knowing others share this mindset. Hoping I can use some of the techniques I read in this.

It's rare to find a book that speaks directly to panic disorder and health anxiety, and I found this book incredibly helpful. The author really connects with the reader and shares personal experience so openly that I felt she truly understood what few people understand about my own struggle with panic. She also offered insights and strategies beyond what I've learned from my therapist which I really appreciated!

This was definitely one the most comprehensive and encouraging books on health anxiety that I've read! Dr. Chesworth's writing style was open and friendly, and she freely shared her own personal experiences navigating her own anxiety related to her health. It was clear she was very knowledgeable about her topic and her research was very well presented. Sharing some of her patient's experiences was also extremely helpful. So many times, through the course of the book I was like "Oh that exactly how I perceive and struggle with a wide variety of bodily symptoms and many potential medical situations that I'm afraid of". Each chapter contained very thorough explanations for each dimension of health anxiety. It also includes detailed information on how CBT techniques can help with the often flawed thinking that HA creates, and many exercises to put healthier thought processes into practice. It's definitely not a book you can rush through if you want to receive the full benefits of CBT. Nor would it replace one on one visits with a qualified therapist if your anxiety is severe. But I can see that working through the exercises would definitely be an excellent start to rewiring our often 'stuck' brains. I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to going back to the beginning and working through all of the concepts and exercises at a slower pace! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

In this book, you will learn a variety of CBT strategies to help you feel less anxious about your health and improve your overall quality of life." Off the top, Dr Britney's credentials speak for her and the authenticity of this resource. Dr Chesworth simplifies the concepts and tools explained and makes them easy to capture and understand. She gives the necessary background without overwhelming the reader. The wording is down to earth and encouraging for the reader. It challenges them and pushes them to reconsider their thought patterns by pulling from the experiences of other people who lived through similar fears and anxieties and they overcame them steadily and healthily. I appreciate Dr Chesworth's vulnerability in the book and sharing things were definitely hard to write for the entire world to read. I recommended this book to my partner who suffers from Health Anxiety, and by only reading a couple of sentences from the intro and chapter 1, he was sold on the book telling me "I should definitely read this book". The book gives tools but also encites the reader who is practicing these tools on themself to be accountable for their own healing process. The book is comprehensive and a great tool for anyone who wants to understand Health anxiety, understand its treatment, and/or start on the healing journey, and/or maintain the healing journey. It is not an alternative to proper therapy and follow up with medical professionals especially in advanced cases.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for granting me access to this book. First. Wow. I needed this book. And that could not be any further from hyperbole. The first chapter alone (which recommends you work through the rest of the book slowl) is eye opening. I think for people who pick up this book because of the title, you'll get a shock when chapter one describes your whole life. The title "Im dying again" is what caught MY eye to request this book because that's exactly how health anxiety feels. Wow I feel sick today I think Im dying. Chesworth first introduces health anxiety (the aforementioned introduction) and offers a list of benefits and causes of the anxiety. The one that got me was "it makes it difficult to enjoy anything." Bingo. Then she proceeds to offer methods throughout If you dont know what cognitive behavioral therapy is, it's an effort to acknowledge thoughts and the behaviors they cause. The author focuses each chapter on an aspect of CBT: reducing errors, recognizing your own abilities to cope with diseases, how to live more comfortably, stop avoidance and so on. All very very useful information and doesn't feel like something you're going to drag your feet to get through because self help is sometimes a chore. This is a guide for exploring your health and the mindsets affecting it, and I think it is executed beautifully.

This is how I would like more self-guides and CBT books to be. The problems are defined, the solutions are encouraged, self-initiated and the 'reframe' framework of CBT is clearly described. I will gift this to my loved ones who have health anxiety.

Many thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is a must-read for anyone who suffers from health anxiety, or has regular interaction with anyone who does. Because such anxieties tend to run in families-children raised by anxious parents tend to model their parents-and there are theories about the intergenerational nature of stress and trauma. Whether it affects children in the womb or from early infancy, the point is that there is no start date, nor any end date either. You don't need to be a life-long worrier to develop health anxieties in your senior years. But, regardless of age, as the author stresses, these are not ordinary health anxieties. People who ignore discomforts associated with their emotional or physical state are actually in a condition of detachment that is as dangerous as though they were feeling alienated from any loved one. Some self-concern is necessary because ignoring all signals can cause illness and death. But envisioning death as the only possible outcome for any ache or pain is just a scary way to live. Some of these points seem to contradict each other, but Chesworth is very good at explaining why the mind-body relationship is the root of understanding. She goes over many theories old and new, while also explaining practical embodied exercises to try. Even if you have tried CBT, as I have, you will find that her book is better than most in the self-help genre to dispel the jargon and direct you to results. Nothing over night' is promised: these exercises take time and commitment. She acknowledges how hard that is. But her tone is non-judgmental and she especially encourages those who are trying to stop with harmful self-judgment above all. Dr Chesworth has produced a well-written, organized and illustrated work. I'm happy to recommend it for your wellness book collection. If you don't have one, this is a good place to start.

· This book is so incredibly helpful. The personal insight provided by the author who herself suffered with health anxiety makes all the difference. Reading this is like being advised by a friend who has been through the same stuff themselves and really understands the suffering and behaviours you are experiencing. As the mother of child who suffered severe health anxiety I recognised the symptoms and thought processes that my daughter describes. Thus when describing how to break these patterns of behaviour it all makes perfect, logical easy to follow sense. This book will make all the difference to my daughter I am sure. I cannot describe the gratitude I feel to the writer for producing this book. If you suffer with health anxiety this book is a must-have ! If I could give this book 10 stars rather than the maximum five I would!

· ARC Review 📚 Book Title: Help! I'm Dying Again ✍🏻Author: Britney Chesworth, PhD 📕 Format: 📱 ⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🕑 Quick Take: Dr. Britney Chesworth provides a pragmatic guide to address health anxiety from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) framework. 💕What I Loved: I appreciated Dr. Chesworth for providing examples from both her personal life and clinical practice. She offered a clear and understandable introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), covering concepts such as unhelpful thinking styles, core beliefs, thought reframing, and interoceptive exposure practices. Dr. Chesworth addressed various topics, including increasing tolerance for bodily sensations, reducing the fear of death, and managing health anxiety in the context of an actual medical diagnosis. 💭Final Thoughts: I found this read very beneficial and will recommend it to clients and students. #HelpI'mDyingAgain #ARCReview #Bookstagram #SelfHelpReads #HealthMindBodyReads

· As a clinician, I approached this book with a fair bit of caution and personal history. I've experienced anxiety before, and health anxiety in particular is not something I revisit lightly. So reading Help! I'm Dying Again wasn't just an intellectual exercise for me; it was emotional work. And honestly, it was worth it. Chesworth's dual perspective, both as a therapist and someone who has lived through health anxiety, makes the material not only accessible but incredibly validating. It doesn't read like a clinical handbook. It reads like someone sitting across from you saying, "I've been there too. Let's figure this out together." What really struck me was how she leans into CBT as a first-line approach without overly medicalising the experience. As a pharmaceutical doctor, I'm so used to seeing CBT discussed alongside (or buried under) medication protocols. It almost always feels like the meds come first, and the behavioural therapy is an afterthought. But this book centres CBT and makes it feel hopeful, not secondary. That shift felt refreshing and important. The strategies are practical, the language is compassionate, and while the exercises are rooted in clinical research, they're easy to follow and implement. This book doesn't promise quick fixes, but it offers clarity, structure, and a sense of companionship through something that often feels isolating. I'll admit there were moments when reading this was emotionally intense. It's hard to confront those old fears, especially when they echo parts of your own experience. But by the end, I wasn't overwhelmed, I felt "curable". And that's a powerful thing for me to walk away with. Highly recommended for both patients and professionals - especially those who've found themselves caught in the loop of "What if something's wrong with me?" and are ready to try a different way forward. Thankful to Netgalley & Sheldon Press for the ARC!

First thing I need to clarify is that I am currently dealing with two different forms of cancer, so perhaps I have good reason to focus thoughts on my health...but also I am someone whose history is sort of hypochondria UNTIL there is actually "something" to deal with, then I tend to be in denial. And finally, I am admittedly a bit (?) of a drama queen. Add them all together and I just might be a somewhat ideal candidate for Dr. Britney Chesworth's Help! I'm Dying Again, in which she addresses the use of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) to deal with the all too real anxiety faced by those who are dealing with health anxiety. People who have this tendency tend to react or overreact to things that might just be "normal." For example, a rapidly beating heart becomes what feels like a major coronary event. I recall a TV show where Fred Sanford would become alarmed or maybe things just weren't going his way, he would clutch his chest and call out "...this is the big one!" He was having (as many of us do) a response along the lines of "I'm dying" because of his cognitive distortions. He wasn't reacting to was happening, he was reacting to his own interpretation of what was happening. Fundamental beliefs such as "my body is fragile" and "this time it might be serious" can both continue and amplify the reaction, reinforcing the ongoing anxiety. As a therapist who has years of experience dealing with this type of anxiety, Dr. Chesworth is personally in tune with what this feels like, but she has learned to retrain her brain to avoid the immediate jump into overdrive at every twinge, bump, bruise, or discomfort. The book is arranged so that each chapter addresses specific strategies to help learn and practice healthier thoughts and behaviors to break the chain of spiraling into ever-worsening anxiety and fear. Although I became slightly familiar with CBT as a result of having a teenage foster daughter whose traumatic upbringing resulted in anxiety with a true basis for its existence, I have wanted to learn more about it and try to find some ways to incorporate strategies for lessening my own fears. Much of what I read (or tried to) was dry and boring, while some was way too theoretical, rather than providing practical ideas for improving my own responses to health challenges (both real and imagined). I appreciate the author's willingness to use her own personal experiences to provide help for others. With thanks to John Murray Press/Sheldon Press and NetGalley for providing a copy of this terrific book in exchange for my honest review, I recommend this. Four stars.

I did not get far due to being someone who reads these books when she needs them not when she has too. But this is useful! It's helpful and productive but not a replacement for therapy.

Review: Help! I'm Dying Again: Overcoming Health Anxiety with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by Britney Chesworth Overview Britney Chesworth's Help! I'm Dying Again is a lifeline for anyone trapped in the exhausting cycle of health anxiety. Blending clinical expertise with raw personal experience, Chesworth demystifies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into actionable steps to dismantle catastrophic thinking. While the book's conversational tone feels like therapy in paperback form, its narrow focus on CBT may leave readers seeking complementary approaches wanting more. Key Strengths -CBT Made Accessible: Chesworth translates complex therapy concepts into relatable metaphors and worksheets, like "fact-checking" catastrophic thoughts or "rewriting the worry script." -Personal Vulnerability: The author's candid anecdotes about her own health anxiety lend credibility and comfort-readers feel seen, not shamed. -Immediate Tools: From "anxiety timers" to body-scan exercises, the book offers quick, evidence-based interventions for panic moments. Critical Considerations -CBT-Exclusive Lens: While CBT is effective, the book rarely acknowledges other therapies that might complement it. -Repetitive Structure: Some exercises recur with slight variations, which may frustrate readers craving progressive complexity. -Niche Audience: Those with generalized anxiety may find the hyper-focus on health-specific worries less applicable. Score Breakdown (0-5 Stars) -Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) - A fresh voice in the crowded anxiety-help genre, though CBT frameworks are well-trodden. -Practicality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - Every chapter delivers usable tools, not just theory. -Empathy: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - Chesworth's warmth turns clinical advice into a compassionate dialogue. -Depth: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) - Light on neurobiological explanations or long-term case studies. Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) - A flashlight for the darkest health-anxiety spirals-packed with both science and soul. Who Should Read This? -Health anxiety sufferers tired of vague "just relax" advice. -CBT newcomers seeking a beginner-friendly guide. -Therapists recommending a relatable resource to clients. Final Thoughts Chesworth's book is a triumph of practicality and heart, though its specificity may limit its reach. For the right reader, it's a game-changer. Gratitude Thank you to NetGalley and Britney Chesworth for the advance review copy. This review reflects an honest engagement with the book's mission to arm readers against health anxiety with CBT's sharpest tools.

This book came at a time I needed it most. I have PTSD from military as well as a sickness that nearly killed me. For the past year I have struggled with the thought I am dying. This book helped me understand what was going on beneath me, gaining control of the anxiety I was struggling with and helped me find the way out of the dark thoughts and fears I battled. I still have these thoughts at times, but have more tools to help me deal with this irrational fear. Truth is we will all die one day. But the fear around d death should not keep us from living.

This is a great, practical guide to understanding and managing health anxiety. The author does an excellent job of breaking down the cycle of anxious thoughts and providing actionable strategies to regain control. I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with health anxiety-it's genuinely helpful and a book i'm glad to have in my toolbox!

As a person with GAD and various anxiety disorders including health anxiety, this book caught my attention. Health anxiety, especially after the pandemics, has proved a tough challenge to live with day after day. I'm familiar with CBT because I already try use these techniques to help myself, in the impossibility to go to a specialist at the moment. I liked how this book was divided. It starts from what health anxiety is to get to the biggest fear someone with health anxiety has, which is actually being diagnosed with illness and the possibility of dying. Each chapter provides a similar organization. The author illustrates the topic in an informal way that is accessible to anyone. It felt like I was in her study and she was talking directly to me, giving real examples of clients she had and illustrating different ways to tackle a thinking error and the reshaping of our core beliefs. I already do some of those exercises to reframe my thoughts about other stuff, and they are useful but like the author said, healing isn't linear, so you have to persevere and be consistent to see changes and have it bother you less. There is more than one exercise in every chapter. I think that it would be ever more effective if who reads this book dedicated one week or more on each topic and did the exercise proposed every day. This way, you could see how your thoughts may have changed when you try to reframe your mind. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, John Murray Press and Sheldon Press, for letting me read an ARC copy of this book.

I received a free copy of, Help! I'm Dying Again, by Britney Chesworth, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book helps you to deal with your health anxiety. This book has tools and resources for people to cope with their health anxiety.

An Insightful and Practical Guide. This book offers a fascinating and well-structured approach to understanding and managing health anxiety. The book provides clear, CBT-based techniques to help readers break free from the cycle of excessive worry and compulsive symptom-checking. What I really appreciated was Chesworth's engaging writing style; she makes a complex topic feel approachable and easy to digest. The real-life anecdotes add a personal touch, making the advice feel practical rather than clinical. A worthwhile read, whether you struggle with health anxiety yourself or simply want to better understand it!

I found this book was really well laid out and easy to read. It had great and simple tips to help through health anxiety. I think this is a great book for anyone going through this struggle.

As someone who struggles with health anxiety I found this very helpful and will definitely be taking some of these exercises to my therapist to work thorough with her guidance.

I follow this author on Instagram, so when I saw her book was available to review, I did not hesitate to read it. Health anxiety is such a complex thing to treat, and I haven't found self-help literature that offers both a "big picture" explanation of the factors which fuel health anxiety, while simultaneously presenting actionable tips and exercises that I--as the reader--could turn to in a moment of crisis. The author delivers both in such a user-friendly, uncomplicated way; it is almost as if I were actively attending a counseling session with her to work through my symptoms. I appreciated the numerous examples the author includes throughout each chapter. These examples illustrate the content, and more importantly, they give the reader a sense of acceptance--in other words, it is "okay" to feel this way because you are working through it. Given the singular and alienating nature of health anxiety, I found this touch very valuable. The only drawback to reading the ARC is that the content is not displayed properly on the e-reader (Kindle), which impacts some of its usability. However, I am sure this will be resolved in the final copy. All in all, this is an excellent resource to those wanting to overcome health anxiety. I am grateful to have read it.

Hi, my name is Jenny and I have health anxiety. I follow the author on Instagram and get her emails, so when I saw she wrote a book I had to read it. Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC. I found the book very helpful in places; some sections didn't really apply to me so I skipped those. I would definitely recommend owning the book so that you can write in it and do the exercises she suggests. I do think she left out a big part of health anxiety and of course that is that is the one I have - family/genetic disposition to cancer. I was still able to do some of the exercises and the book did help me learn to reframe some of my concerns. Definitely something to revisit and practice time and time again. Four stars.

A great book for those who suffer from health anxiety. I wouldn't consider myself to be someone with health anxiety, but this book made me realise that maybe I do more than I think. The CBT techniques will be useful for me. I will also share the book with my youngest who definitely has health anxiety.

As a person who suffers from health anxiety I wanted to read this book for any insights and tips it might offer to manage it. Health anxiety can feel quite isolating because I do not personally know of anyone who suffers from it quite like I do. Therefore this book made me feel understood. The book is easily readable and I found that I related to many of the situations portrayed. Now I must do the exercises as recommended and give myself time throughout the week to complete the exercises in each chapter. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This book came at a time I needed it most. I have PTSD from military as well as a sickness that nearly killed me. For the past year I have struggled with the thought I am dying. This book helped me understand what was going on beneath me, gaining control of the anxiety I was struggling with and helped me find the way out of the dark thoughts and fears I battled. I still have these thoughts at times, but have more tools to help me deal with this irrational fear. Truth is we will all die one day. But the fear around d death should not keep us from living.

"In this book, you will learn a variety of CBT strategies to help you feel less anxious about your health and improve your overall quality of life." Off the top, Dr Britney's credentials speak for her and the authenticity of this resource. Dr Chesworth simplifies the concepts and tools explained and makes them easy to capture and understand. She gives the necessary background without overwhelming the reader. The wording is down to earth and encouraging for the reader. It challenges them and pushes them to reconsider their thought patterns by pulling from the experiences of other people who lived through similar fears and anxieties and they overcame them steadily and healthily. I appreciate Dr Chesworth's vulnerability in the book and sharing things were definitely hard to write for the entire world to read. I recommended this book to my partner who suffers from Health Anxiety, and by only reading a couple of sentences from the intro and chapter 1, he was sold on the book telling me "I should definitely read this book". The book gives tools but also encites the reader who is practicing these tools on themself to be accountable for their own healing process. The book is comprehensive and a great tool for anyone who wants to understand Health anxiety, understand its treatment, and/or start on the healing journey, and/or maintain the healing journey. It is not an alternative to proper therapy and follow up with medical professionals especially in advanced cases.

A great book for those who suffer from health anxiety. I wouldn't consider myself to be someone with health anxiety, but this book made me realise that maybe I do more than I think. The CBT techniques will be useful for me. I will also share the book with my youngest who definitely has health anxiety.

An Insightful and Practical Guide. This book offers a fascinating and well-structured approach to understanding and managing health anxiety. The book provides clear, CBT-based techniques to help readers break free from the cycle of excessive worry and compulsive symptom-checking. What I really appreciated was Chesworth's engaging writing style; she makes a complex topic feel approachable and easy to digest. The real-life anecdotes add a personal touch, making the advice feel practical rather than clinical. A worthwhile read, whether you struggle with health anxiety yourself or simply want to better understand it!

ARC Review 📚 Book Title: Help! I'm Dying Again ✍🏻Author: Britney Chesworth, PhD 📕 Format: 📱 ⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🕑 Quick Take: Dr. Britney Chesworth provides a pragmatic guide to address health anxiety from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) framework. 💕What I Loved: I appreciated Dr. Chesworth for providing examples from both her personal life and clinical practice. She offered a clear and understandable introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), covering concepts such as unhelpful thinking styles, core beliefs, thought reframing, and interoceptive exposure practices. Dr. Chesworth addressed various topics, including increasing tolerance for bodily sensations, reducing the fear of death, and managing health anxiety in the context of an actual medical diagnosis. 💭Final Thoughts: I found this read very beneficial and will recommend it to clients and students. #HelpI'mDyingAgain #ARCReview #Bookstagram #SelfHelpReads #HealthMindBodyReads

As a clinician, I approached this book with a fair bit of caution and personal history. I've experienced anxiety before, and health anxiety in particular is not something I revisit lightly. So reading Help! I'm Dying Again wasn't just an intellectual exercise for me; it was emotional work. And honestly, it was worth it. Chesworth's dual perspective, both as a therapist and someone who has lived through health anxiety, makes the material not only accessible but incredibly validating. It doesn't read like a clinical handbook. It reads like someone sitting across from you saying, "I've been there too. Let's figure this out together." What really struck me was how she leans into CBT as a first-line approach without overly medicalising the experience. As a pharmaceutical doctor, I'm so used to seeing CBT discussed alongside (or buried under) medication protocols. It almost always feels like the meds come first, and the behavioural therapy is an afterthought. But this book centres CBT and makes it feel hopeful, not secondary. That shift felt refreshing and important. The strategies are practical, the language is compassionate, and while the exercises are rooted in clinical research, they're easy to follow and implement. This book doesn't promise quick fixes, but it offers clarity, structure, and a sense of companionship through something that often feels isolating. I'll admit there were moments when reading this was emotionally intense. It's hard to confront those old fears, especially when they echo parts of your own experience. But by the end, I wasn't overwhelmed, I felt "curable". And that's a powerful thing for me to walk away with. Highly recommended for both patients and professionals - especially those who've found themselves caught in the loop of "What if something's wrong with me?" and are ready to try a different way forward. Thankful to Netgalley & Sheldon Press for the ARC!

As a medical doctor, I find Chesworth's work systematically captures the reality of health anxiety. "I'm dying" captures how normal sensations spiral into catastrophe through cognitive distortions. We don't react to what happens - we react to our interpretations. A racing heart becomes "I'm having a heart attack," triggering genuine panic. Core beliefs like "my body is fragile" and "any symptom could be serious" fuel this misinterpretation, with each episode reinforcing the pattern. The desperate "Help!" embodies the safety-seeking behaviors that trap patients in the cycle: Body checking (constant pulse monitoring, self-examination), Reassurance seeking (repeated doctor visits, asking others), Compulsive Googling and avoidance etc. These behaviors feel protective but paradoxically maintain anxiety. They prevent learning that symptoms resolve naturally, while the temporary relief they provide reinforces the false belief that vigilance equals safety.. The weary "again" conveys something only lived experience can capture - the exhaustion of simultaneously knowing you've survived this before while remaining utterly convinced that this time is different.. CBT remains first-line treatment because it systematically dismantles maintaining factor: Thought awareness and cognitive restructuring, Identifying and eliminating safety behaviors, Behavioral experiments to test catastrophic predictions, Core belief modification: from "I'm fragile" to "I'm resilient"*. "Importantly, CBT isn't about positive thinking - it's about logical, evidence-based thinking.** What sets this book apart for healthcare providers, patients, and their supporters is Chesworth's rare dual perspective. Her clinical knowledge provides the framework, but her personal journey through health anxiety breathes life into the science. She doesn't just describe the condition - she knows how it feels, making this far more engaging than typical medical texts.

As a person with GAD and various anxiety disorders including health anxiety, this book caught my attention. Health anxiety, especially after the pandemics, has proved a tough challenge to live with day after day. I'm familiar with CBT because I already try use these techniques to help myself, in the impossibility to go to a specialist at the moment. I liked how this book was divided. It starts from what health anxiety is to get to the biggest fear someone with health anxiety has, which is actually being diagnosed with illness and the possibility of dying. Each chapter provides a similar organization. The author illustrates the topic in an informal way that is accessible to anyone. It felt like I was in her study and she was talking directly to me, giving real examples of clients she had and illustrating different ways to tackle a thinking error and the reshaping of our core beliefs. I already do some of those exercises to reframe my thoughts about other stuff, and they are useful but like the author said, healing isn't linear, so you have to persevere and be consistent to see changes and have it bother you less. There is more than one exercise in every chapter. I think that it would be ever more effective if who reads this book dedicated one week or more on each topic and did the exercise proposed every day. This way, you could see how your thoughts may have changed when you try to reframe your mind. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, John Murray Press and Sheldon Press, for letting me read an ARC copy of this book.

As someone who struggles with health anxiety I found this very helpful and will definitely be taking some of these exercises to my therapist to work thorough with her guidance.

First thing I need to clarify is that I am currently dealing with two different forms of cancer, so perhaps I have good reason to focus thoughts on my health...but also I am someone whose history is sort of hypochondria UNTIL there is actually "something" to deal with, then I tend to be in denial. And finally, I am admittedly a bit (?) of a drama queen. Add them all together and I just might be a somewhat ideal candidate for Dr. Britney Chesworth's Help! I'm Dying Again, in which she addresses the use of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) to deal with the all too real anxiety faced by those who are dealing with health anxiety. People who have this tendency tend to react or overreact to things that might just be "normal." For example, a rapidly beating heart becomes what feels like a major coronary event. I recall a TV show where Fred Sanford would become alarmed or maybe things just weren't going his way, he would clutch his chest and call out "...this is the big one!" He was having (as many of us do) a response along the lines of "I'm dying" because of his cognitive distortions. He wasn't reacting to was happening, he was reacting to his own interpretation of what was happening. Fundamental beliefs such as "my body is fragile" and "this time it might be serious" can both continue and amplify the reaction, reinforcing the ongoing anxiety. As a therapist who has years of experience dealing with this type of anxiety, Dr. Chesworth is personally in tune with what this feels like, but she has learned to retrain her brain to avoid the immediate jump into overdrive at every twinge, bump, bruise, or discomfort. The book is arranged so that each chapter addresses specific strategies to help learn and practice healthier thoughts and behaviors to break the chain of spiraling into ever-worsening anxiety and fear. Although I became slightly familiar with CBT as a result of having a teenage foster daughter whose traumatic upbringing resulted in anxiety with a true basis for its existence, I have wanted to learn more about it and try to find some ways to incorporate strategies for lessening my own fears. Much of what I read (or tried to) was dry and boring, while some was way too theoretical, rather than providing practical ideas for improving my own responses to health challenges (both real and imagined). I appreciate the author's willingness to use her own personal experiences to provide help for others. With thanks to John Murray Press/Sheldon Press and NetGalley for providing a copy of this terrific book in exchange for my honest review, I recommend this. Four stars.

Hi, my name is Jenny and I have health anxiety. I follow the author on Instagram and get her emails, so when I saw she wrote a book I had to read it. Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC. I found the book very helpful in places; some sections didn't really apply to me so I skipped those. I would definitely recommend owning the book so that you can write in it and do the exercises she suggests. I do think she left out a big part of health anxiety and of course that is that is the one I have - family/genetic disposition to cancer. I was still able to do some of the exercises and the book did help me learn to reframe some of my concerns. Definitely something to revisit and practice time and time again. Four stars.

I cannot understate how important this topic is and how much this effects the lives of people that suffer from it. I am so happy to read a book on this topic by someone knowledgeable. I felt comforted seeing my own thoughts and worries on the page, knowing others share this mindset. Hoping I can use some of the techniques I read in this.

I did not get far due to being someone who reads these books when she needs them not when she has too. But this is useful! It's helpful and productive but not a replacement for therapy.

I follow this author on Instagram, so when I saw her book was available to review, I did not hesitate to read it. Health anxiety is such a complex thing to treat, and I haven't found self-help literature that offers both a "big picture" explanation of the factors which fuel health anxiety, while simultaneously presenting actionable tips and exercises that I--as the reader--could turn to in a moment of crisis. The author delivers both in such a user-friendly, uncomplicated way; it is almost as if I were actively attending a counseling session with her to work through my symptoms. I appreciated the numerous examples the author includes throughout each chapter. These examples illustrate the content, and more importantly, they give the reader a sense of acceptance--in other words, it is "okay" to feel this way because you are working through it. Given the singular and alienating nature of health anxiety, I found this touch very valuable. The only drawback to reading the ARC is that the content is not displayed properly on the e-reader (Kindle), which impacts some of its usability. However, I am sure this will be resolved in the final copy. All in all, this is an excellent resource to those wanting to overcome health anxiety. I am grateful to have read it.

I found this book was really well laid out and easy to read. It had great and simple tips to help through health anxiety. I think this is a great book for anyone going through this struggle.

I received a free copy of, Help! I'm Dying Again, by Britney Chesworth, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book helps you to deal with your health anxiety. This book has tools and resources for people to cope with their health anxiety.

It's rare to find a book that speaks directly to panic disorder and health anxiety, and I found this book incredibly helpful. The author really connects with the reader and shares personal experience so openly that I felt she truly understood what few people understand about my own struggle with panic. She also offered insights and strategies beyond what I've learned from my therapist which I really appreciated!

Many thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is a must-read for anyone who suffers from health anxiety, or has regular interaction with anyone who does. Because such anxieties tend to run in families-children raised by anxious parents tend to model their parents-and there are theories about the intergenerational nature of stress and trauma. Whether it affects children in the womb or from early infancy, the point is that there is no start date, nor any end date either. You don't need to be a life-long worrier to develop health anxieties in your senior years. But, regardless of age, as the author stresses, these are not ordinary health anxieties. People who ignore discomforts associated with their emotional or physical state are actually in a condition of detachment that is as dangerous as though they were feeling alienated from any loved one. Some self-concern is necessary because ignoring all signals can cause illness and death. But envisioning death as the only possible outcome for any ache or pain is just a scary way to live. Some of these points seem to contradict each other, but Chesworth is very good at explaining why the mind-body relationship is the root of understanding. She goes over many theories old and new, while also explaining practical embodied exercises to try. Even if you have tried CBT, as I have, you will find that her book is better than most in the self-help genre to dispel the jargon and direct you to results. Nothing over night' is promised: these exercises take time and commitment. She acknowledges how hard that is. But her tone is non-judgmental and she especially encourages those who are trying to stop with harmful self-judgment above all. Dr Chesworth has produced a well-written, organized and illustrated work. I'm happy to recommend it for your wellness book collection. If you don't have one, this is a good place to start.

Review: Help! I'm Dying Again: Overcoming Health Anxiety with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by Britney Chesworth Overview Britney Chesworth's Help! I'm Dying Again is a lifeline for anyone trapped in the exhausting cycle of health anxiety. Blending clinical expertise with raw personal experience, Chesworth demystifies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into actionable steps to dismantle catastrophic thinking. While the book's conversational tone feels like therapy in paperback form, its narrow focus on CBT may leave readers seeking complementary approaches wanting more. Key Strengths -CBT Made Accessible: Chesworth translates complex therapy concepts into relatable metaphors and worksheets, like "fact-checking" catastrophic thoughts or "rewriting the worry script." -Personal Vulnerability: The author's candid anecdotes about her own health anxiety lend credibility and comfort-readers feel seen, not shamed. -Immediate Tools: From "anxiety timers" to body-scan exercises, the book offers quick, evidence-based interventions for panic moments. Critical Considerations -CBT-Exclusive Lens: While CBT is effective, the book rarely acknowledges other therapies that might complement it. -Repetitive Structure: Some exercises recur with slight variations, which may frustrate readers craving progressive complexity. -Niche Audience: Those with generalized anxiety may find the hyper-focus on health-specific worries less applicable. Score Breakdown (0-5 Stars) -Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) - A fresh voice in the crowded anxiety-help genre, though CBT frameworks are well-trodden. -Practicality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - Every chapter delivers usable tools, not just theory. -Empathy: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - Chesworth's warmth turns clinical advice into a compassionate dialogue. -Depth: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) - Light on neurobiological explanations or long-term case studies. Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) - A flashlight for the darkest health-anxiety spirals-packed with both science and soul. Who Should Read This? -Health anxiety sufferers tired of vague "just relax" advice. -CBT newcomers seeking a beginner-friendly guide. -Therapists recommending a relatable resource to clients. Final Thoughts Chesworth's book is a triumph of practicality and heart, though its specificity may limit its reach. For the right reader, it's a game-changer. Gratitude Thank you to NetGalley and Britney Chesworth for the advance review copy. This review reflects an honest engagement with the book's mission to arm readers against health anxiety with CBT's sharpest tools.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for granting me access to this book. First. Wow. I needed this book. And that could not be any further from hyperbole. The first chapter alone (which recommends you work through the rest of the book slowl) is eye opening. I think for people who pick up this book because of the title, you'll get a shock when chapter one describes your whole life. The title "Im dying again" is what caught MY eye to request this book because that's exactly how health anxiety feels. Wow I feel sick today I think Im dying. Chesworth first introduces health anxiety (the aforementioned introduction) and offers a list of benefits and causes of the anxiety. The one that got me was "it makes it difficult to enjoy anything." Bingo. Then she proceeds to offer methods throughout If you dont know what cognitive behavioral therapy is, it's an effort to acknowledge thoughts and the behaviors they cause. The author focuses each chapter on an aspect of CBT: reducing errors, recognizing your own abilities to cope with diseases, how to live more comfortably, stop avoidance and so on. All very very useful information and doesn't feel like something you're going to drag your feet to get through because self help is sometimes a chore. This is a guide for exploring your health and the mindsets affecting it, and I think it is executed beautifully.