This is a self-help workbook created by the South Central Veterans Affairs Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) to help older veterans manage anxiety. It contains psychoeducation and skills training through 10 chapters.
The introduction explains generalized anxiety disorder and the fight-flight-freeze response. Chapters then cover specific skills: deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive restructuring, problem solving, changing behaviors, and sleep hygiene.
Each chapter introduces the skill, explains its purpose and key steps, and provides monitoring worksheets for practice. Skills build on each other and worksheets encourage regular practice. The workbook includes audio files guiding relaxation techniques.
The final chapter summarizes key tools and encourages veterans to develop a plan to continue using helpful skills. The materials aim to educate veterans about anxiety, provide techniques to manage symptoms, and build confidence in coping ability. Worksheets allow self-monitoring of progress.
Contents:
Introduction
Anxiety Awareness
Deep Breathing
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Changing Thoughts – Part I
Changing Thoughts – Part II
Problem Solving
Changing Behaviours
Sleep Skills
Review
FREE PDF DOWNLOAD OF SELF-HELP WORKBOOK CALMING TOOLS TO MANAGE ANXIETY: A TOOL FOR OLDER VETERANS
