The Complete Idiot's Guide to Conquering Fear and Anxiety

Rating:
Summary: Too Broad a Spectrum
Review: This book had some interesting points to consider but its major flaw was it covered too broad a range. In trying to be complete in coverage, most of the information is too general. The author not only dealt with many types of fear and anxiety but also with different age groups running the gamut from childhood to adulthood. There isn't much new in ways of dealing with fear and anxiety if you are a reader of these types of books. The chapter that I found most illuminating was the one about why you won't have a heart attack, die, etc. while having a panic attack. I've never seen that information written in any of my previous readings. I do disagree with the previous reviewer, however. I did not feel any of the conditions were trivialized. I also suffer from agoraphobia and think that it is naive to expect a self-help book to cure you. I think it is extremely difficult to give specific help when the audience is such a generalized population with varying degrees of symptoms, fears, and anxities. I did not feel I learned much new but the suggestions and strategies were straightforward and consistent with my other reading. The bibliography is a good starting point for further reading. Overall I would say this is a good overview but for more specific types of worry, fear, anxiety and phobia, I would chose a book that was narrower in focus.

Rating:
Summary: Eh
Review: This book was OK I guess. It didn't really help with any anxiety, I got through my anxiety with positive things, not this book. It did have some useful information in it so if you get a chance to skim through it or borrow it from someone, then go ahead. If not, then maybe skim through the book in the store before buying it online.

Rating:
Summary: Keep Looking!
Review: This book was too ambitious. It covered too many topics, spanning from childhood to adulthood, without really getting to any helpful information. Don't waste your time or money on this one.