Unlock The Fear How To Open Yourself Up To Face And Accept Change

by Caissy, Gail

• ISBN13: 9780738207513
• ISBN10: 0738207519
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-12-26
• Publisher: Da Capo Press

Summary

An informative look at how we often overreact to change and how we can integrate change into our lives.

Author Biography

Gail A. Caissy, a native of Canada, is a former classroom teacher of early adolescent students in the Niagara, Ontario, public school system. The author received her doctorate in education from the State University of New York at Buffalo and holds three other university degress. An independent consultant in education, she is the author of numerous articles and educational publications and is a part-time university-level instructor in teacher education. Dr. Caissy and her husband currently reside in Clarence, New York.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xv
Introduction	p. 1
Understanding the Nature of Change
Change, People, and Progress: A Historical Perspective	p. 9
Major Milestones in Human History	p. 10
How People Reacted to Change	p. 15
Observations about People, Change, and Progress over Time	p. 18
Why People Fear Change	p. 23
How Change Affects People's Lives	p. 23
Reasons Why People Fear Change	p. 30
Sources and Kinds of Change	p. 43
Sources of Change	p. 43
Kinds of Change	p. 66
The Process of Adapting to Change	p. 69
Change Is a Process	p. 70
The Process of Adapting to Significant Change	p. 71
Companions to Change
Shattered Illusions, Mistaken Beliefs, and Personal Growth	p. 91
Shattered Illusions	p. 92
Mistaken Beliefs	p. 97
Personal Growth	p. 121
Stress and Change	p. 133
What Is Stress?	p. 134
Stress Management	p. 144
Change and Loss	p. 161
Experiencing Loss Is Difficult	p. 161
Losses Change Lives	p. 164
Death	p. 166
Losses Need to Be Mourned	p. 169
The Process of Mourning a Loss	p. 170
Mourning Is Difficult in Our Society	p. 175
Loss Can Lead to Personal Growth	p. 178
Coping with Loss	p. 179
Depression Related to Loss	p. 180
Strategies for Managing Change
Strategies for Managing Change	p. 185
Acknowledge and Accept the Inevitability of Change	p. 186
Acknowledge and Accept the Uncertainty of the Future	p. 188
Learn about Change and the Process of Adapting to Change	p. 189
Plan for Change	p. 191
Avoid Making Too Many Changes at Once	p. 195
Structure and Stability Are Essential	p. 196
Maintain Good Mental and Emotional Health	p. 199
Build and Maintain Social Supports	p. 201
Develop a Positive Attitude toward Change	p. 203
Don't Be Afraid of Mistakes and Failure	p. 205
Face Problems: Don't Avoid Them	p. 206
Have a Sense of Humor	p. 209
A Solid Core of Personal Values Is Important	p. 210
What Can I Learn from This Change?	p. 213
Work at Overcoming Fear of Change	p. 214
Handle Change in Manageable Pieces: One Step at a Time	p. 216
Learn to Accept Reality	p. 217
Maintain Routines	p. 218
Examine Your Beliefs for Validity	p. 219
Get Stress under Control	p. 220
Mourn Your Losses	p. 221
A Sense of Control Is Necessary	p. 222
Use Positive Self-Talk	p. 222
Keep Traditions Alive	p. 224
Have Confidence in Yourself	p. 225
Getting Help and Support	p. 227
Self-Education	p. 227
Talking to Friends and Family	p. 229
Joining a Support Group	p. 230
Seeking Professional Help	p. 233
Conclusion	p. 241
Endnotes	p. 243
Recommonded Readings	p. 245
Index	p. 249
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