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The Worst Is Over: What To Say When Every Moment Counts (Revised Edition) Paperback – March 26, 2014

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 83 ratings
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“One day, maybe sooner, maybe later, someone you love will be in an emergency situation. An elderly parent, a spouse, a child. Maybe you've taken CPR. More than likely, you have a First Aid book on the shelf. But when the crisis hits, after you've called 911 and, if appropriate, propped up the victim's head or feet, what do you do? What do you say? ‘Hang in there, Joe,’ or ‘Don"t die on me, damn it,’ may be heartfelt but is not exactly helpful. “But there ARE words, and ways of saying them, that are not only helpful, but can turn the situation around, can positively affect Joe's heart rate, temperature, breathing, in fact his cardiovascular, limbic, endocrine, circulatory and respiratory systems.” That is how THE WORST IS OVER begins. This book has been called "the 'bible' for crisis communication by The International Journal of Emergency Mental Health. And in the years since it was first published we have received letters from all over the world telling us how true those words are...and how helpful when every moment matters. The Worst Is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts is a book that is changing the way all of us—from first responders and health care workers to neighbors and family members—are speaking to each other in times of medical emergencies, trauma, and crisis. This in-depth guide to the protocol of Verbal First Aid™ is a revolutionary method of using the power of words to promote healing in emergency situations. Research indicates that saying the right words at the right time in the right way can change the outcome of critical care, alter the chemicals the body generates, and set the course of recovery for people even before they arrive in the emergency room. People in crisis are in an altered state of consciousness while experiencing an emotional crisis or medical emergency, which is precisely why what you say is as important as what you do. At such times, words act as commands to the autonomic nervous system, which regulates bleeding, blood pressure, body temperature, muscle contractions, interpretations of pain, even emotional reactions. The right words can actually change the medical outcome. And the right words said in a frightening situation may help shift the memory from one of trauma to a memory of rescue and perhaps even courage. Because we are a mind-body, physically and emotionally words can harm or words can heal. While Verbal First Aid had its birth in the dramatic world of emergency rescue, it does not stop there. Verbal First Aid is the language of healing and can be used wherever and whenever the human heart is vulnerable. It is not only useful with asthma attacks and car accidents, but it can also be a life-saver when dealing with a loved one struggling with chronic pain, fighting the fear of cancer, or suffering from nightmares. The principles involved in using language to connect with the body and spirit for healing apply anywhere, everywhere, to all of us whenever sensitivity, understanding, kindness, and conviction are required. And isn’t that all the time? Medical professionals and first responders across the country and around the world have discovered this protocol and are using it to calm, relieve pain, promote healing, and save lives. And all of us, because we all have words and the ability to use our empathy and kindness, are ultimately equipped to help start the healing and change the outcome for the better. Will you know what to say when every moment counts? With this book and the protocol of Verbal First Aid, you can be that invaluable resource.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    426 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 26, 2014
  4. Dimensions
    6 x 0.96 x 9 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1494376539
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1494376536
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (March 26, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 426 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1494376539
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1494376536
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.96 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 83 ratings

About the author

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Judith Acosta

Judith Acosta

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Judith Acosta, LISW, Cht, is a licensed psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and crisis counselor, as well as a classically trained homeopath. She is the author of The Next Osama and the co-author of The Worst is Over (Jodere, 2002), hailed as the "Bible of Crisis Communications" and Verbal First Aid (Penguin, 2010). She has written countless articles on the cultural and psychological effects of viral fear, culture and the media, Verbal First Aid, religion and mental health, trauma, and alternative medicine. She has had a regular column with the Journal of Emergency Medical Services on Verbal First Aid and communication strategies for use in the field, is a regular blogger on Huffington Post and a contributing author to Homeopathy Today.

Since 1994, she has trained paramedics, fire fighters, police officers and medical professionals in therapeutic communication and Verbal First Aid around the United States and has served with POPPA, a non-profit peer support organization for the New York City Police Department. She has also given seminars on animal-assisted therapy, trauma and burnout, stress reduction, and workplace risk/crisis management to corporations and private groups.

In private practice, she specializes in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression/grief, and performance. She is based in Placitas, NM with her husband and rescue dogs. She brings nearly 25 years of successful experience to clients all over the country and may be reached at www.wordsaremedicine.com or www.thenextosama.com.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
83 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Courtney E. Tallman
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
You must read this for anyone. Literally anyone. Yes, it works great for catastrophic events but you can apply this to your own life right now.
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Asiyah
5.0 out of 5 stars Life altering
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2023
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Everyone you know should read this book!
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Cult Doctor
5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL! Must have for firefighters, search and rescue, American Red Cross volunteers, and people-people.
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2014
Verified Purchase
WOW! WOW! WOW! Read the first edition. Well worth purchasing this new edition. Perfect for me as a counselor, firefighter, emergency medical responder and with my work with my family member that has Alzheimer. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It has been particularly useful in my role as a firefighter and search and rescue. I was a minister and chaplain, but this book has allowed me to practice behaviors that are caring and gentle without imposing any theology or doctrinal nuances.

Recommended this book to the members of the my county Search and Rescue team and district American Red Cross with many going out and purchasing it. A tool anyone that encounters disaster, distress, pain or suffering should have.

Side note: I've written a few authors about their books, but when going to do so for this book, I saw a phone number and called it. Had the wonderful opportunity to thank the author in person. I've learned from being a recoverer and counselor, that it's great medicine to thank those who have impacted your life. Thank you Dr. Acosta for your wonderful book and the nice conversation.

Would love to see this as an audiobook or a workshop kit. Would love to teach this material.
25 people found this helpful
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Adam C.
4.0 out of 5 stars Great material. Could use a Cliff's Notes version
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2017
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Great material. Could use a Cliff's Notes version.
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Adam Gonzales
5.0 out of 5 stars Just amazing
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2022
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Recommend this book if you’re trying to deal with trauma.
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Julie Stanley
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2015
Verified Purchase
A wonderful book showing how any person can help others deal with situations ranging from bad to disastrous; Helping to put people in the best positive frame of mind to help themselves cope and heal. A MUST read for anyone in the 'helping' professions. I bought a second copy for my daughter in law who has recently qualified as a nurse. I don't doubt she will find golden nuggets of information that will help her help others.
2 people found this helpful
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Ritchie W.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is an excellent book. The authors give us great tools to use for those difficult situations we all encounter through the course of our lives. Tools to help others and ourselves. I have only recently finished the book, but have already used their advice to help friends and family in a few different situations (death, surgery, chronic pain).
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lighten up
5.0 out of 5 stars Be prepared for life's surprises
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
Everyone, especially parents, should read and understand this book. I have used the wisdom from this book in a number of crisis situations with wonderful results.
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Top reviews from other countries

Ulf Sandstrom
5.0 out of 5 stars You will read this, because it is vital!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
Have you ever felt at loss for the right words to reach out and help somebody in emotional or physical agony?

You can relax now, bevause when you read this the worst will be over and you will find yourself centered and capable in the worst possible moments, from scenes of crime, accidents and pain to natural death.

This book should be on the reading list for every parent, child, rescue fighter, soldier, survivor, colleague, bystander and sibling.

Read it now.
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Kerstin Warkentin
5.0 out of 5 stars The most impressive book on helping others in a resue situation
Reviewed in Germany on April 13, 2018
Verified Purchase
It can be so simple to help anopther human in a terribel situation. It gives me a kind of calm by myself that I am no longer in a state of helplessness and powerlesness. I can give better informations than just sitting by and saying words that are no true.
awesome.
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julie G
5.0 out of 5 stars Power of language in emergency situations.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2018
Verified Purchase
Absolutely brilliant book. Life skills on how to stay calm in an emergency situation. If you are in a healing environment or come across an accident, this book enables you to stay calm and promotes healing with the use of language a real life saver.
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