Why We Love to Hate Ourselves

The life-changing new book by bestselling psychotherapist Owen O'Kane is for anyone who regularly gives themselves a hard time. PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY NOW.
Have you ever considered how you speak to yourself? The way you treat yourself if you make a mistake? Whether you trust and believe in yourself to do hard things? For too many of us, being negative about ourselves is an unconscious habit we barely notice we're doing. But psychotherapist Owen O'Kane believes our tendency to criticize, doubt, judge or belittle ourselves can easily turn into micro self-hate patterns that grow if unchallenged. And this can have a devastating impact on our mental health. Breaking these habits can change every aspect of your life. With this simple and practical guide you will learn to recognize the chronic self-criticism and behaviours that are holding you back, tackle associated symptoms, unpick hard-wired negative thoughts, and begin to treat yourself as someone who matters. With the tools and insights in this book, you'll soon find that hope, confidence, self-respect and peace are within reach. It's time to get unstuck. It's time to reclaim your life.
PRAISE FOR OWEN & HIS PREVIOUS BOOKS: 'One of the country's leading experts on mental health' The Times 'Owen's work around anxiety has been a huge help for me in my own life. I would highly recommend' Lewis Capaldi 'I love Owen's work. He is a force for good' Davina McCall 'Owen helps us look at our lives and happiness in a clear and practical way' Fearne Cotton 'Generous, wise and very persuasive' Observer Magazine 'Friendly, reassuring, and confidently expert' i News 'A really important read for anyone wanting to live more comfortably with their anxious self. Full of clinical expertise, warmth and humanity.' Julia Samuel, psychotherapist and bestselling author 'Anyone looking to understand how therapy can help them help themselves, should look no further than Owen's humorous and empowering book' Benedict Cumberbatch 'Owen is bringing much needed therapy to all of us. He brings down the stigma attached to being vulnerable and is making talking about mental health approachable for everyone. His book is brilliant and I highly recommend' Dr Rupy Aujla 'Owen's insight due to his experience and wisdom allows him to cut to the chase of why we get stuck in difficult emotions and more importantly he shows us how to navigate them and lead happier lives. A must read.' Will Young 'Owen takes the tangled, overwhelming problem of anxiety and unravels it with clarity and compassion. His gift lies in turning the hard-to-understand into simple, actionable wisdom that anyone (me included) can implement to reclaim their peace and take control of their life.' Matt Willis 'Addicted to Anxiety is a truly powerful and important book. Owen O'Kane's piercing clarity as a therapist and writer gifts anybody who has experienced anxiety the insight and tools to overcome it.' Rob Rinder 'Owen has the rare gift of explaining complex emotions in a truly engaging and digestible way. His tips and strategies for managing those emotions are explained with care, compassion and humour. Highly recommended.' Susie Dent 'There's a reason Owen's work has put him at the very top of his profession and why his books continue to top the bestsellers chart - he's one of the very best in his field.' Kate Thornton

Owen O'Kane is a specialist psychotherapist and one of the UK's leading mental health experts with over twenty-five years of experience in physical and mental health. As a former NHS mental health clinical lead and a Sunday Times bestselling author, Owen has a gift for making complex information accessible and understandable, and is known for his down to earth warmth and sense of humour. After a stint as resident phone-in expert on Radio 5 Live, Owen featured in the BBC One TV series on therapy Change Your Mind, Change Your Life, and has been interviewed on many leading wellbeing podcasts including Davina McCall's Begin Again and Dr Alex George's Stompcast. He is regularly profiled by the media, speaks at wellbeing festivals and conferences, acts as a script advisor for BBC Drama, and is a content creator for online learning hub BBC Maestro, where his course on anxiety is among their top global performers. Owen lives in West London with his partner and dog. He has written five books; his most recent is Why We Love to Hate Ourselves.
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