Anxiety, Phobias, & Panic : A Step-by-Step Program for Regaining Control of Your Life

Rating:
Summary: Accessible, Practical and Effective -- even for PTSD
Review: This is a bargain! I have used this book with many clients who suffer with PTSD, OCD, specific Phobias, and other severe anxiety disorders. For those suffering trauma symptoms but lack the memories of the events that likely generated these symptoms this book offers an approach that does not directly address the issue of trauma (as you know, PTSD is an anxiety disorder. Some have suggested it should be called "Chronic Fear Disorder.") Rather it teaches you how your body works when it gets overloaded by fear and anxiety. Several psychophysisiological theories are explained and diagrammed. The criteria for various kinds of anxiety disorders articulated and explained (so you can see which one or ones you suffer from). A pre-test is included that you can take and score yourself -- and retake as you progress through the program to chart specific changes you make along the way. The author walks you through the irrational thinking patterns that accompany anxiety symptoms that seem to "come out of nowhere" and tells you specific ways to counter these irrational thoughts. Further, it gives you practical information about the roots of the "high anxiety personality" and some of the possible causes being so endowed. The book teaches numerous exceptionally effective techniques for regaining a sense of control and self-efficacy. These include establishing a daily routine of decompressing, cognitive monitoring, desensitization, visualization, tips on overcoming perfectionism and the excessive need for approval and control. I have my patients "memorize" the chapter (I think it is Chapter 5)on the 10 most common cognitive distortions that accompany anxiety and depression. When they do this (it is easier to memorize than you think) they are able to immediately recognize when they are falling into a thought pattern that amplifies anxiety. A motivated person learns quickly how to self-correct and replace anxiety producing thoughts with calming ones that put life into perspective. It helps to know that your "crazy" thoughts are actually quite common and shared by others who suffer with various forms of anxiety.

Rating:
Summary: A great self-help book for people with anxiety problems.
Review: This is a superb self-help book for people with anxiety problems, especially the ones resulting from lack of social skills and low self-esteem. It has helped me a lot, and I still read it over & over for reinforcement.

Rating:
Summary: How to understand Anxiety and gain control of it.
Review: This is an excellent book on the subject of anxiety. I am a mental health professional and I regularly recommend it to my clients and in classes I teach on the subject.
The author does a good job of educating us about this very prevalent problem. The book utilizes the Cognitive/Behavioral model to help people overcome their fears.