Most Helpful Customer Reviews
116 of 118 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This program WORKS!!, July 30, 1996
By A Customer
This review is from: Anxiety, Phobias, & Panic: A Step-by-Step Program for Regaining Control of Your Life (Paperback)
This book avoids all the hype and moralizing and psychobabble, the useless anecdotes so often found in the "Quick Tips To Anxiety Relief" genre.
It's a solid, step-by-step program of cognitive techniques which, when practiced and mastered SLOWLY over time, can change your life.
I know from personal experience. After three years of therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I decided I was getting worse, not better. I had the good fortune
to find this book at the library, and was excited to see that it took the responsibility for "changing me" out of the hands of a therapist and put the responsibility
squarely where it belonged: on me.
Starting in 1992 I spent over a year mastering the skills, and still use the book once a month for reference and a bit of a "refresher course."
What can I say? My symptoms have vanished! No more undiagnosable stomache and joint aches, no more pills, no more panic attacks. Even my ALLERGIES have disappeared!
It's amazing how much of our poor health is stress-related, and even more amazing how a book like this can help one to unlearn a lifetime of
bad thought habits (like perfectionism.)
If you're motivated to change your life, the program works. That's the best review I can give it!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Accessible, Practical and Effective -- even for PTSD, August 21, 2001
This review is from: Anxiety, Phobias, & Panic: A Step-by-Step Program for Regaining Control of Your Life (Paperback)
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.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
more helpful than I could have imagined, June 13, 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Anxiety, Phobias, & Panic: A Step-by-Step Program for Regaining Control of Your Life (Paperback)
I began experiencing discomfort and then panic attacks after some stressful periods in my life several years ago. The panic attacks got so bad that I had trouble going to and being at work, going out for entertainment, and at various other times including when I was at home. For a while I couldn't figure out what was happening to me. After finally figuring out that I was having panic attacks I bought this book. Following the chapters in the book, it took about four weeks to have complete control over my anxiety. The methods for eliminating the episodes were fantastic and have really saved me in many areas of my life. I would highly recommend this book. It addresses anxiety as well as OCD and various phobias. It's been several years since I got this book and went through it and I have not had a single panic attack since. While I still do experience everyday stress, and sometimes a lot of it - this book has made me better at recognizing and handling very stressful situations far better than I ever could prior to reading it. I wish I had read this book prior to ever having the panic attacks. It will help you change your perspective and turn stressful events into exciting and enjoyable ones. I can't say enough good about this book - If you have panic attacks or experience anxiety or even just want to improve your ability to handle pressure, you should _definitely_ buy and read this book!!!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
