Don't Panic Third Edition: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks (Paperback)

~ Reid Wilson (Author)
Key Phrases: face panic, hopeless observer, sample form, Don't Panic, Calming Response, Short-term Goal (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This excellent guide offers help to those who suffer from panic anxiety. Part 1 discusses panic-like symptoms and their relation to both physiological and psychological disorders, while Part 2 recommends ways to eliminate or reduce those symptoms. As the book explains, psychological panic disorder is the body's emergency response, inappropriately triggered by a faulty belief system, to a situation perceived as threatening. Sufferers are given the tools to restore calm, including the means to develop an internal "supportive observer" that can assess the situation more accurately, provide alternative courses of action, and draw attention away from negative, self-defeating thoughts. For therapists as well as their clients. Bonnie Hoffman, C.S.W., North Fork Counseling Service, Mattituck, N.Y.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

The authority on panic and anxiety—newly revised and expanded

Are you one of the more than nineteen million Americans who suffer from anxiety? Don’t panic. Newly revised and expanded, this edition offers a straightforward and remarkably effective self-help program for overcoming panic and coping with anxious fears. With insight and compassion, Reid Wilson, Ph.D., demystifies anxiety attacks and provides indispensable advice, including:

• how a panic attack happens, what causes it, and how it can affect your life
• how to recognize, manage, and control the moment of panic
• how to control the chronic muscle tensions that increase anxiety
• how to conquer fear and face problems with confidence
• how to decide which medication is right for you
• how to establish reachable goals and rediscover the joy of living

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; 3 edition (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061582441
• ISBN-13: 978-0061582448
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #77,496 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

130 of 133 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book helped me regain control of my life !!, July 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Panic Revised Edition: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks (Paperback)

This is a wonderful book for anyone who wants clear informitave answers of what this disorder is all about. It helped me in many ways learn to deal with my panic disorder. One of my biggest fears was that my life was becoming very restricted by this disorder. I thought I was going to have to take medication for the rest of my life. With this book I was able to get my life back together without medication. There is a section in the book about the connection between premenstrual syndrome and anxiety. I had a great deal of stress in my life and I found myself very anxious during PMS. He shows in this section that diet has a strong impact on reducing symptoms of anxiety and panic. The book teaches how to refocus our thoughts. This was very helpful for me dealing with my panic disorder because in the past I was very quick to scare myself. If there was even a slight feeling of fear I would take that fearful thought and run with it causing myself great anxiety and at times panic attacks. By refocusing my thoughts like this book teaches, helped me to control the unrealistic array of scary thoughts from pouring into my head and replacing them with soothing, comforting and believable words. He speaks of breathing techniques and how they help the sufferer gain control of body symptoms in any given situation, from sitting in a dental chair to being locked in a traffic jam. He teaches by maintaing control of your breathing it sends a message to the brain that all is all is well and there is no need for panic. I would reccomend this book to anyone who wants to put an end to this disableing disorder.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reading this book was really a turning point for me, June 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Don't Panic Revised Edition: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks (Paperback)

This book has helped me more than anything else in my struggle to deal with panic. I've had panic attacks for the last 9 years or so -- since I was 17 -- although I didn't know/wouldn't admit what they were for a long time. I was really on a slippery slope and things were getting so much worse more recently; after reading positive reviews here on amazon, I read this book and it really has changed my life. There is so much material here that it can be a little overwhelming -- but now I am rereading different parts that I now see are relevant, and it's such a tremendous resource. Some readers have said that Dr. Wilson's listing of symptoms made them more anxious; but for me, it was a huge relief to realize that other people suffer from these problems too, and to know that there are symptoms I don't have. I now realize that in struggling with panic I was feeding it, and that I have to learn to relax and not be frightened of having another attack. This is obviously very difficult, but Dr. Wilson's recommended techniques have been very effective for me. I've also realized how much they can benefit my life overall in a very positive way, not just in dealing with the negative aspects of panic attacks, but in helping me enrich my life overall. I feel like I am gaining control of my life again, and it's such a relief! If you are struggling with panic -- or if you are trying to support someone who is -- I can't imagine a better resource than this book .

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get yourself this book and feel better!, October 30, 2003

By	Kelly A. fuller "certified book nut" (Pennsville, New Jersey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Don't Panic Revised Edition: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks (Paperback)

I used to be embarrassed of my panic and anxiety disorder. I tried to hide it, and deal with it all on my own. I was even embarrassed to buy this book! Thank goodness for the privacy of Amazon.com, or I might never had read this fantastic book! The biggest thing that I got out of this book is the fact that I am not alone! And neither are you! The amount of people suffering with anxiety and panic disorders is astonishing! With the knowledge that you are not a "freak", you will keep reading and learn new techniques to keep panic at bay at how to deal with it when it strikes unexpectedly. Don't wait any longer, help yourself gain your life back.