Triumph Over Fear: A Book of Help and Hope for People with

Rating:
Summary: Well written and informative
Review: Having "been there, done that" (anxiety), I've read a lot of books about the subject and I can highly recommend Triumph Over Fear. It's an inspiring, motivating book that covers all the bases.

I'd been a professional speaker for many years, traveling throughout the country giving presentations and teaching classes, then I was in a car accident and became agoraphobic. I told myself that I'd give myself all the time that I needed to heal; I'd concentrate on my writing and not travel for a while. Giving myself time to heal was a great start--I had another book published during those years (and even had a "brush" with an Oprah producer who pitched the idea of having me on the show)--but it had become easier and easier to stay home. I needed to do more. I had to "work" the ideas in Jerilyn's book so I could get back in my car and drive to the mall and go to the movies and, finally, travel again.

Jerilyn shares her own experience with having had anxiety and having recovered from it, then addresses the various anxiety disorders-agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive, panic, post-traumatic stress, social phobia, and generalized anxiety-and gives case studies that illustrate each of them. She also discusses treatment options and shares good solid expertise, common sense, and proven exercises.

Being a writer myself, I loved her suggestion to keep a diary. I also liked the idea of labeling the anxiety and paying careful attention to the thoughts and behaviors that trigger it. I worked the program myself rather than with a therapist, although I did attend a peer support group for a while. And yes, it was a challenge to drive to those meetings, but they were so helpful and necessary! At one time my anxiety had become so pervasive that I found myself wondering who I'd be without it. Jerilyn even addresses that issue in the chapter, "Becoming Acquainted with the New You."

Today I'm feeling better than I have in years. Read Triumph Over Fear for a clearer understanding of anxiety and for the proven, practical guidelines for getting on with your life. - Kathleen Hawkins, president of winningspirit.com and author of Spirit Incorporated: How to Follow Your Spiritual Path from 9 to 5

Rating:
Summary: A real winner - solid information, with practical, inspirati
Review: Having suffered from panic disorder and phobias on and off for about 15 years,I have seen lots of therapists and read lots of books, none of which touched me like Triumph Over Fear. The author, Jerilyn Ross, is the first person I've encountered who combines both the knowledge of someone who has successfully worked with patients for over 20 years with the empathy and compassion of someone who has been there herself. As I read through Jerilyn's personal story and the various case studies of patients whom she has treated I realized that in spite of what well meaning therapists or authors can teach me about panic attacks, only someone who has experienced the irrational, seemingly out-of control spiralling of an attack can give me the assurance and confidence I needed to move forward. In addition, the self-help portion of the book gave me specific, practical things to work on by myself and with my therapist - which ultimately lead me to making wonderful personal progress. I highly recommend this book to anyone suffering from panic attacks as well as to family members trying to understand their loved ones' condition.


Rating:
Summary: Easiest to relate to book on fear
Review: I've been dealing with an anxiety problem for about 10 years now, only I have been doing it the wrong way with countless drugs given to me by my doctor. There comes a crossroads when you just can't do it like that anymore. I spent the past 3 years getting off the drugs that have done more harm than good and am now learning what I should have learned in the beginning. I have read a ton of books on this disorder and to be honest, some of them you feel the need to have a dictionary beside you they are so complex. The writers forget they are writing the book for people who are not familiar with medical terminology in their everyday lives. Triumph Over Fear is different from the rest in many ways. First, it is easy to understand for just about anyone and is clearly written. Most importantly, it isn't written by someone who has merely studied the problem but has never actually felt what it's like to go through it. It makes no difference how many medical books you have read, how many people you have met, how many letters you have added to the end of your professional name. Unless you've been through this problem you really cannot fully understand it. This author has and that makes her words that much more powerful. This book should be in everyone's home whether you are suffering currently with anxiety or deal with someone you are trying to help but just can't seem to understand why they feel the way they do. Don't wait as long as I did, your life is waiting but the freedom is in you.

In addition to this book, I recommend "Don't panic"-R. Reid Wilson/ and also "the anxiety and phobia workbook" those are more technical and extremely complete in every detail.

Rating:
Summary: Easiest to relate to book on fear
Review: I've been dealing with an anxiety problem for about 10 years now, only I have been doing it the wrong way with countless drugs given to me by my doctor. There comes a crossroads when you just can't do it like that anymore. I spent the past 3 years getting off the drugs that have done more harm than good and am now learning what I should have learned in the beginning. I have read a ton of books on this disorder and to be honest, some of them you feel the need to have a dictionary beside you they are so complex. The writers forget they are writing the book for people who are not familiar with medical terminology in their everyday lives. Triumph Over Fear is different from the rest in many ways. First, it is easy to understand for just about anyone and is clearly written. Most importantly, it isn't written by someone who has merely studied the problem but has never actually felt what it's like to go through it. It makes no difference how many medical books you have read, how many people you have met, how many letters you have added to the end of your professional name. Unless you've been through this problem you really cannot fully understand it. This author has and that makes her words that much more powerful. This book should be in everyone's home whether you are suffering currently with anxiety or deal with someone you are trying to help but just can't seem to understand why they feel the way they do. Don't wait as long as I did, your life is waiting but the freedom is in you.

In addition to this book, I recommend "Don't panic"-R. Reid Wilson/ and also "the anxiety and phobia workbook" those are more technical and extremely complete in every detail.

Rating:
Summary: From a woman who's been there.
Review: I've read a lot of books on anxiety, and this is the best. Ross once suffered from an anxiety disorder herself and tried to find treatment, only to be told it was in her head. A lot has been learned about anxiety disorders even in the last ten years, and Ross knows all about it. She not only tells you about the treatment available through therapists (with contact information and resources at the back of the book) but if you want to do it yourself, the book is full of practical advice. I'm the author of the book, Self-Help Stuff That Works, and I can tell you without any hesitation that Triumph Over Fear is self-help stuff at its best. I highly recommend this book. Buy one for yourself and share one with a friend or family member who may suffer without realizing help is available.

Rating:
Summary: My own triumph, thanks to Triumph Over Fear
Review: Shortly after my sister gave me a copy of Triumph Over Fear, I saw Jerilyn Ross on the Oprah Winfrey show treating a woman who, like me, was so claustrophobic that she would walk up 20 flights of steps, rather than ride in an an elevator. At the end of the show, when they showed the woman stepping out of the elevator by herself, on the top floor of a building, I cried and was determined that if she could do it, so could I. I read every word in Jerilyn's book, practiced everything she suggested in the self-help part, and, 2 months later took the elevator BY MYSELF and met my sister for lunch in a restaurant on the 24th floor of her office building. This book is my bible...Thanks you, Jerilyn, from the bottom of my heart!

Rating:
Summary: Well written and informative
Review: This is a good book. It was referred to me by my psychiatrist for OCD. Although it did not address my issues and help me much with my needs, it did make me realize that my problems compare little to some of the issues and difficulties other people have! I liked the book very much and found it very encouraging and informative.

Rating:
Summary: A superb book - informative, compassionate, very practical
Review: Triumph Over Fear is written with the compassion, knowledge and inspiration that only someone who has been on both sides of the problem could deliver. Having overcome her own anxiety disorder and worked as a therapist and patient advocate for many years before writing this book, Jerilyn Ross brings the kind of knowledge to the reader that I have not found in any other book on this subject. In addition to the comprehensive information about the nature of anxiety disorders and the latest treatment approaches, Ms. Ross gives the reader very specific tools, techniques and guidelines to follow as one moves towards recovery - all of which she has either practiced herself or taught to (or, as she states, learned from) her patients. After giving a thorough overview of the various anxiety disorders, including a good deal of scientifically based information that is presented in a very readable format, Ms. Ross presents several real case studies. Each case seems to have been carefully chosen to represent a different anxiety disorder,(ie. social phobia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress) and the different diagnostic and treatment approaches used with each disorder. I found a little of myself in several of the people described in the stories and found that to be incredibly reassuring and comforting. The last part of the book is a supurb, easy to follow self-help section - the best I've seen - mainly because of it's practical, common sense, no-nonsense approach. I have had agoraphobia for almost sixteen years and, after diligently following Ms. Ross' instructions (even though at first I resisted keeping a diary), I am now doing things I never thought I would do again (ie. taking my daughter shopping in the mall, driving on the highway to get to work, going out to lunch with colleagues). I actually brought this book to my therapist and we used many of the techniques Ms. Ross described, such as the excellent re-breathing training exercises and "what if" challenges. Triumph Over Fear is a real gem and I was thrilled to see it on your list. THANKS