Claustrophobia [Paperback]

Andrea Perry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 10, 2007

Therapist and consultant Andrea Perry speaks honestly about her own experience of claustrophobia in what is believed to be the first ever book on the subject. She draws on the views of other people who have experienced similar anxiety, and overcome it. She explores how and why the phobia develops and then provides a huge range of self help strategies to help overcome it. In addition, for those who want to turn to therapy, she provides a comprehensive and insightful assessment of the therapeutic treatments available today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

With this book Andrea Perry has made a superb contribution to our understanding of this complex and ill-understood condition, which we now know affects many millions of people. --Ben Timmis, FRCR, Medical Director, London Upright MRI Centre

This book ticks all the right boxes for me. Written with the authenticity borne of personal suffering and the objectivity of clinical experience, the book cleverly melds the two into a compassionate, satisfying self-help study for anyone with an interest in claustrophobia. The book excels particularly in avoiding the 'trap' of assuming a one-size-fits-all approach to recovery from mental distress. An excellent starting place for understanding claustrophobia in the context of our modern society. --Nicky Lidbetter, Chief Executive, National Phobics Society

Andrea has written an accessible, insightful and above all simple and practical guide to the lived experience of claustrophobia. Journalists are not in the main enthusiastic readers of self-help or psychological manuals. But considering how much of the news involves emotional distress, this is one book they would do well to examine. --Mark Brayne, Former BBC journalist and Director, Europe DART Centre for Journalism and Trauma

About the Author

As a result of her groundbreaking work on procrastination in 2002 she has been a consultant and trainer for most major UK universities including Oxford and Cambridge, with The UK National Health Service, with career counsellors, debt counselling organisations and with family lawyers.She has appeared recently nationally on the BBC and commercial radio. She is a qualified integrative psycotherapist and external examiner for one of the most prestigious UK post graduate psychotherapy colleges in London. She was a recent Chair of the British Association of Dramatherapists.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Worth Publishing (December 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903269091
• ISBN-13: 978-1903269091
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,379,174 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good but far from perfect, June 26, 2011

By 

kzeyae - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Claustrophobia (Paperback)

This book didn't really solve my problem, but it gave me a better understanding of what might have caused my claustrophobia. I expected step by step instructions to help me to get rid of my problem, but I was dragged into a history. Probably a more experienced psychologist can go deep in human mind and complete this book. I am not regret buying this book, and it is worth the time and money.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful Resource., June 22, 2008

By 

Joe Sparty "joesparty" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Claustrophobia (Paperback)

As an MRI technologist I see people with claustrophobia on a daily basis. It is a very real and debilitating condition that can completely alter the life of the afflicted. In my research I have seen very few books to help those that seek relief from it. Claustrophobia: Finding Your Way Out - Hope and Help for Those Who Fear and Avoid Confined Spaces is a welcome addition. It provides a wealth of information on this serious phobia that can affect more than 10% of the population.

With candor and compassion U.K.-based psychotherapist Andrea Perry unravels the facts and misconceptions surrounding this condition. Drawing heavily on her own personal experience as a claustrophobia sufferer Ms Perry sheds much needed light on a subject that has for too long gone under the radar. In addition to personal anecdotes Claustrophobia weaves first hand interviews and references to scientific studies in a way that is both engaging and informative.

This book, believed to be the first book of its kind on the subject, will be a valuable reference to those who suffer from claustrophobia as well as to those who, like myself, interact with claustrophobic people on a regular basis. Ms Perry gives a broad picture of the condition as well as specific ways to help heal. There are five full chapters devoted to exploring ways to deal with claustrophobia, and phobias in general. As one who has overcome claustrophobia she offers hope to those currently struggling with the condition and advice for those who can help claustrophobics, including friends and family, architects and designers, medical staff, etc. Ms Perry also gives a very convincing reasoning as to why this condition is not entirely irrational as many people have been led to believe.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about claustrophobia and how to manage it. It is a tremendous resource that would make a valuable addition to every physician office that orders an MRI. I will be urging my fellow technologists to read this insightful book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unique contribution to anxiety and phobia literature, but offers same solutions as most self-help books, May 1, 2008

By 

Henry "henrynelson" (Teaneck, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Claustrophobia (Paperback)

This may be the first book written by and for sufferers of claustrophobia.

Most other anxiety self-help books devote a few pages to this phobic experience and are written by clinical observers with second-person summaries and generically as just as any other phobia and anxiety disorder.

However, after the author vividly describes the experience that triggered her phobia, she does not offer the same personal awareness and articulation of her confrontation and tolerance of this condition.

Instead, the book offers the standard array of approaches that can be found in any anxiety self-help book.