Embracing the Fear: Learning To Manage Anxiety & Panic Attacks [Paperback]

Judith Bemis (Author), Amr Barrada (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 21, 1994

A compassionate look into managing anxiety disorders, simple phobias, panic disorders, and agoraphobia, Embracing the Fear offers effective techniques in visualization, meditation, and inner-dialogue. The book and audiocassette (sold separately) help us accept and change panic and avoidance responses, and assist us in identifying anxiety triggers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Nothing to fear but fear itself? For anyone who has ever suffered from the palm sweating, heart pounding, trembling, panting, exhausting terror of anxiety or panic attacks, that is more than enough. This book, authored by two recovering agoraphobics, offers strategies for managing anxieties and phobias, emphasizing the need to first accept our anxiety and panic, encouraging us to take risks, and giving specific dialogues to counter fearful self-talk. Although they do not address nutritional approaches or relaxation techniques, the cognitive approach they emphasize is a uniquely valuable strategy for understanding and managing fear. -- From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by Patricia Pettijohn

About the Author

Judith Bemis, a recovered agoraphobic, started experiencing panic attacks in 1965 while doing post-graduate work at the University of Minnesota. Thinking that it was a serious medical problem, she continually searched for answers concerning the cause, but to no avail. After a period of being semi-housebound, she managed to white-knuckle it until a major setback in 1981 prompted a renewed search for help. A year of cognitive therapy proved to be a turning point in her life.Wanting to share her new-found freedom with others, she founded Open Door Outreach, Inc., a network of support groups for people with agoraphobia and other anxiety disorders. She has served as director and facilitator for the organization since 1986. She also publishes the Open Door Quarterly Newsletter. She is co-author ofEmbracing the Fear, Learning to Manage Anxiety and Panic Attacks. A second manuscript, The Gentle Voice Within, Gaining a New Perspective of Our Anxiety and Panic Attacks was recently completed and is unpublished at this time. She has been called on to speak to various groups in the Twin Cities on the subject of anxiety. She is committed to helping improve the lives of people with anxiety disorders and their families.Ms. Bemis holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota. She did post-graduate work at the University of Minnesota and Michigan State University. She has been a public school teacher for thirty-two years and has worked as a consultant at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital's Behavioral Medicine Clinic in Minneapolis. She continues to do in vivo therapy with persons with panic disorder.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden (April 21, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089486971X
• ISBN-13: 978-0894869716
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #268,597 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book saved me!!, July 24, 2002

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Matthew's mom (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Embracing the Fear: Learning To Manage Anxiety & Panic Attacks (Paperback)

I must admit that Lucinda Bassett's program (15 week taped program) and Dr. Bourne's "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" are remarkable...but I feel that this book "Embracing the Fear" was the last "pill" I really needed to help in my recovery from agoraphobia. Once housebound, I have read many books on the topic. This book is wonderful... I have underlined and highlighted almost the entire book. THIS is the first book that talked to me about MY fear--not fear of dying like so many other books describe but fear of the TERROR of a panic attack. I KNEW I was not dying...I was just avoiding my life trying to protect myself from having one of those dreaded attacks away from home. I HIGHLY recommend this book. I am currently finishing up my master's degree in counseling and will definitely use this with my anxious clients. I can't tell you how much this book has helped me. It is like my second Bible.

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Advice and not Another Lousy Workbook, January 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Embracing the Fear: Learning To Manage Anxiety & Panic Attacks (Paperback)

I have read and or purchased over 10 Anxiety books and this one was definiately a book worth reading. I hate the fill in the blank what did I do today to make me better garbage? I want general advice or a cognitive plan that works. I've suffered with my illness for more than 6 months, been on many different meds. (Still taking them) and tried many things. To me this book is better than any therapy I've had so far. This book will not cure you, but it will teach you how to "Cope" with attacks instead of fighting them. It also teaches you that self-talk is not always a good thing.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one is the best because I've read them all, June 28, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Embracing the Fear: Learning To Manage Anxiety & Panic Attacks (Paperback)

I have consumed every book out there on this subject. This is the best book for helping the patient cope and understand the condition. It has more helpful coping strategies than any other book on the market. It is upbeat and give you the sense that you can handle this, and you are going to be fine. I love their attitude.