The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook [Paperback]

Edmund J. Bourne (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 157224223X | ISBN-13: 978-1572242234 | Publication Date: November 15, 2000 | Edition: 3nd

This classic, best-selling workbook on anxiety and phobia explains cognitive-behavioural techniques in a step-by-step format. Widely recommended by therapists and other mental health professionals, this new edition has been substantially revised and updated to reflect new developments in the field of anxiety treatment that have appeared in the past five years. It includes an updated list of resources and web sites offering help for coping with anxiety disorders.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D., has specialized in the treatment of anxiety disorders and related problems for two decades.

Product Details

• Paperback: 436 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Pubns Inc; 3nd edition (November 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157224223X
• ISBN-13: 978-1572242234
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Anxiety Disorders
  • #92 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Personal Health > Stress > Stress Management

More About the Author

Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D., has specialized in the treatment of anxiety disorders and related problems for two decades. For many years, Bourne was director of the Anxiety Treatment Center in San Jose and Santa Rosa, CA. His bestselling anxiety books, which have helped hundreds of thousands of readers throughout the world, include The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, Beyond Anxiety and Phobia, and Coping with Anxiety.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

196 of 209 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The single most helpful book for anyone with phobias/anxiety, July 6, 2001

By 

John F. Schiff "aka JohnDopp, Doppler, Dopp" (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (Paperback)

If you or someone you know suffers from a panic disorder, anxiety, OCD, or phobias (especially agoraphobia and social phobias), you must read this book. It is THE best source of information and practical help I have ever seen on the subject.

The book contains a wide array of topics: causes of anxiety, coping with attacks, pharmaceutical treatments, holistic treatments, psychological approaches, nutrition, relaxation, where to find support, how to give support... the book would be worth triple its price just for the richness of information Dr. Bourne has compiled.

Add to that the excellent workbook exercises and techniques, and you have a truly indispensable resource.

I was very pleased with the presentation of the material. This book is not overflowing with warm and fuzzy, touchy-feely reassurances like many "self-help" books. Instead, it has proven, practical, self-paced techniques and exercises which you can use in your daily life, presented in a clear and easy-to-digest format. It's not a dry textbook, and it's not a bit of pop-psychology fluff -- this is a powerful tool for anyone whose quality of life has diminished because of anxiety and fear.

Good luck!

74 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worked miracles, November 20, 2003

By 

Lady Ash (Spartanburg, SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (Paperback)

When I bought this book (for my best friend, who was having panic attacks) I was suffering from severe depression and anxiety. I had been professionally diagnosed, was in therapy, and was on medication; this had helped markedly, but I was still moderately to severely depressed and/or anxious every day. This book helped me get better in a surprisingly short period of time because it is specific, explanatory, and practical. Rather than relying only on one technique (like _Feel Good_'s cognitive therapy approach), it has chapters on nutrition, exercise, visualization, cognitive therapy, mistaken beliefs, emotional needs, spiritual angst, and medication. A diagnostic questionaire in the first chapter helps you to determine which chapters will help you the most.

I especially liked the fact that the book was interactive AND specific. When you're depressed, it can be hard to respond to open-ended prompts like "describe some situations that make you anxious". The prompts in this book are usually "check all that apply", True-False, "rate from 1-5" etc, which is easier to do even if part of you is resistant. Also -- every chapter ended with a checklist of, well, homework. Many books on depression and anxiety left me *knowing* more (or thinking I did) but not changing anything -- just wishing things would change! This book helped me to assume responsibility for my own role in recovering, and gave me the tools (in simple steps!) to do it.

I have given this book to at least five other people suffering from panic attacks, perfectionism, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, and they ALL, also, found it extremely helpful.

The book may not help everyone, but it acknowledges this -- occasionally it points readers in other possible directions (bibliographies at the end of each chapter encourage readers to learn more about anger, co-dependence, depression, etc, if indicated). Definitely a good place to start for anyone with anxiety difficulties of any kind. Also, don't rule it out if you have depression -- your depression might be (like mine) the inevitable result of too much anxiety.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gets you back on the horse..., December 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book that helps you to understand anxiety at it's root and how to overcome it. I found it VERY enlightening and easy to understand. I think the most important thing the book does is help you to understand where anxiety comes from, and that you are NOT alone -- 1/3 of our society suffers from some form of anxiety. I also found the nutritional aspects very interesting as well (sometimes it's as simple as altering your diet or getting more of a certain vitamin or amino acid).

A few of years ago, out of the blue, I suddenly began having panic attacks. I found this book by chance, at a bookstore (I knew I made a good choice when the cashier went on and on about how much it helped her) and I am very grateful I found it when I did. Had I not overcome my fears, I would have missed out on many wonderful things that my anxiety would have prevented me from experiencing -- including traveling to Europe. During that difficult year, just imagining a 9-hour flight used to bring up all sorts of anxieties. I decided I could not let this fear stand in the way of a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so when the time came, I took a little GABA (an amino acid recommended in the book) and packed a tiny notebook with helpful things from the workbook in my bag. However, truth be told, I never needed to open that notebook because of the way the book re-trains your mind to THINK... you can "talk yourself out of attacks" when you feel them coming on. I am happy to say that, not only did I make that first trip overseas, I went on a second overseas trip the following year (this time to Greece!). Thanks to this book, I have not had a panic attack in almost three years.

I highly recommend this book.