Behind the Mask

An insightful guide to recognizing anxiety’s top ten disguises in our lives—from renowned clinical psychologist, trauma researcher, and ordained minister Dr. Thema Bryant

Many of us feel the effects of anxiety in our daily lives—whether we feel afraid, hopeless, despairing, or otherwise suffer from dis-ease. But until we pause and reflect on what’s really going on, we can’t understand it, uproot it, and heal from it in a deep and meaningful way.

In this wise and practical guide, Dr. Thema Bryant brings together clinical experience, psychological research, and spiritual wisdom to shed light on this common challenge and help readers feel less alone in their struggle to heal.

You’ll discover the ten masks of anxiety, which include:

• Perfectionism
• Procrastination
• Somatic Complaints
• Trust Issues
• Overextending and Lack of Boundaries
• Emotional Numbing or Dysregulation
• Hypervigilance
• Self-Sabotage
• Settling
• Shame

Told through diverse and relatable stories, practical insights, and meditation or prayer prompts, this is a book to read, reflect on, and share with fellow cojourners who are also on the path to unmasking anxiety and truly healing from it.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs