The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, Fourth Edition [Paperback]

Edmund J. Bourne (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book excels not only in explaining the cause and nature of anxiety disorders and phobias but also in describing treatments. Director of the Anxiety Treatment Center in Santa Rosa (California), Bourne emphasizes the cognitive-behavioral model of treatment but includes information on biopsychiatry, intense psychotherapy, and spirituality as additional treatment modalities. This is truly a "workbook," with exercises designed to facilitate recovery, either through private use or in conjunction with professional therapy. If your library already owns the 1990 edition and money is an object, you can probably pass on this revision, which updates the definitions of anxiety and phobia so that they conform with the new DSM-IV diagnostic criteria and includes new information on the biological causes of anxiety and related treatment developments. However, if your collection lacks a good lay reader's book on anxiety and phobia, this is an excellent choice.?Jennifer Amador, Central State Hosp. Medical Lib., Petersburg, Va.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Any who've struggled with panic attacks and fears will find this packed with self-help exercises and guidelines to overcoming anxiety and stress, from understanding how to assert oneself to creating a positive recovery strategy. This focuses on handling feelings, including plenty of tips on handling life problems. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 4 edition (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572244135
• ISBN-13: 978-1572244139
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #2 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Anxiety Disorders
  #3 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Mood Disorders
  #1 in	Books > Science > Behavioral Sciences > Behavioral Psychology

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something for Everyone, November 30, 2009

By	Phd. - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

A lot of self-help books are hit or miss because they give you one or two strategies for solving a problem. Not so with this book- that's because its a workbook. This means the book takes a problem, and gives you MANY different strategies and ways of solving it. I'm a big fan of workbooks, simply because there's something for everyone. If you don't like strategy "A", well, then just move on and try strategy "B" or "C". Here's a few more specifics about the book...

-you take a self diagnosis questionnaire to help you identify which anxiety disorder you may be dealing with

-you will learn about the causes of anxiety disorders, including triggers and maintaining causes

-the book proposes a multi-level comperehensive approach that addresses different levels of contributing causes (physical, emotional, behavioral, mental, interpersonal, whole-self, and spiritual

-you can use the weekly practice records to monitor your own program

-the bulk of the book is esentially a bunch of strategies that you can choose from, such as breathing exercises, desensitization, physical exercise (also recommend Exercise Beats Depression for more on that), self-talk, and visualization

As you can see, the book takes a very comprehensive approach to getting the reader better and most are bound to find at least find one or two techniques that will really hit the nail on the head. Five stars easy.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take control of your life!, August 21, 1997

By A Customer

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

If you want to outline a self-help recovery plan for your anxiety disorder, this is the book to get. Bourne explains each anxiety disorder, helps you figure out if you have one, and then provides the tools you need to get well.

Each chapter focuses on a different skill to learn. When designing your plan, you can decided which skills you need to learn. Skills range from better nutrition to improved self-esteem. You can learn relaxation techniques, assertiveness and more.

With each skill, Bourne presents numerous options for learning. If one way doesn't work for you, try another. Bourne's methods are based on a large library of resources, and he cites further reading suggestions at the end of each chapter.

With your therapist or on your own, you can easily begin recovery now.

Cathleen Henning
http://panicdisorder.miningco.com

171 of 215 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!