Dasal Abayaratne

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Book ReviewTurn the Tide on Climate AnxietyBy Megan Kennedy-Woodard and Patrick Kennedy-WilliamsJessica Kingsley Publishers. 2022. £14.99 (pb). 208 pp. ISBN9781839970672This book is one of many on climate action currently in theshops. However, it stands out from the pack. Instead offocusing on the ‘why’ of climate action, or even the ‘what’, theauthors focus on the ‘how’. That is, they explore the emotionalreactions climate change stirs up, including the psychologicaltraps that may impede committed sustainable action, and howthese can be overcome.The opening section outlines a range of psychologicalreactions, including climate anxiety, depression and anger, andhow ubiquitous these now are. Indeed, the authors clearlyargue that although these may have an impact on our well-being, they are not pathological. Instead, they are an under-standable reaction to a planet-sized threat. Perhaps it is evenirrational not to be anxious?The second half focuses on navigating these reactions. Itasks us to observe and compassionately acknowledge ourinternal experiences. Following this, we learn about the psy-chological defences, cognitive biases and behavioural patternsthat might unhelpfully hook us. To counter them, we are invitedto connect with our values (not only environmentalism) and toact in line with them. Importantly, the authors add that thisneeds to be balanced with self-compassion to avoid personallyunsustainable overactivity that inevitably leads to a harmfulboom and bust. Instead, we are asked to be ‘okay with beingokay’ (all positive actions are recognised, no matter how small)and to be ‘okay with not being okay’ (accepting that somethings are beyond our control and responsibility).Many psychological modalities, including acceptance andcommitment therapy and psychoanalysis, are drawn on butrarely mentioned. Although this may disappoint some, itmakes for an accessible read that is not bogged down intheory. The book is further brought to life through inter-activity and real-world vignettes. Crucially, this is not atextbook, rather a living, breathing guide that invites thereader to connect with the material through personal reflec-tion and exercises.Despite already working in mental health and climatechange, through reading this book, I found myself activelymaking changes to my own life and in a better place to helpothers, including those in clinic. The book, however, is not justfor those already in the field, or for those affected by climateanxiety, but for anyone. We are all touched by climate changein some way.Dasal Abayaratne is a speciality trainee in medical psychotherapy andgeneral adult psychiatry with Sheffield Health and Social Care NHSFoundation Trust, Sheffield, UK. Email: dasalabayaratne@googlemail.comdoi:10.1192/bjb.2022.44© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf ofthe Royal College of Psychiatrists. This is an Open Access article, distributedunder the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creative-commons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distributionand reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.COLUMNSBook Review187https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2022.44 Published online by Cambridge University Press

Turn the Tide on Climate Anxiety By Megan Kennedy-Woodard and Patrick Kennedy-Williams Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 2022. £14.99 (pb). 208 pp. ISBN 9781839970672

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/428936C1A14CFF7674C2E31BAE76501E/S2056469422000444a.pdf/div-class-title-span-class-italic-turn-the-tide-on-climate-anxiety-span-by-megan-kennedy-woodard-and-patrick-kennedy-williams-jessica-kingsley-publishers-2022-14-99-pb-208-pp-isbn-9781839970672-div.pdf

Turn the Tide on Climate Anxiety By Megan Kennedy-Woodard and Patrick Kennedy-Williams Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 2022. £14.99 (pb). 208 pp. ISBN 9781839970672

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