Fear Is No Longer My Reality [Hardcover]

Jamie Blyth (Author), Jenna Glatzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 14, 2004

This is Jamie Blyth's powerful story behind the reality star's TV image--and a message of hope and healing for the 20 million Americans who suffer from social anxiety disorder. As one of the finalists on ABC-TV's reality dating show "The Bachelorette," Jamie Blyth risked his heart before millions, while going public with his personal struggle against social anxiety and panic disorder in hopes of helping those who continue to suffer in silence.

Fear Is No Longer My Reality includes:

• Expert advice on understanding and handling anxiety disorders from leading authorities
• Information on the latest research-based behavior therapies
• Reviews of the new FDA-approved medications
• A step-by-step plan for managing anxiety

Blyth's amazing transition from a life of fear to a life in the spotlight is explored through stories from his TV life, along with interviews from fellow "Bachelorette" stars Ryan Sutter, Trista Rehn, Charlie Maher, and Bob Guiney.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Thanks to the reality TV show The Bachelorette, Blyth is now known to millions of Americans as a "finalist"-and millions more know him as a guest on Oprah talking about his panic/anxiety disorder. Now he relates in full the story of how his disorder developed and, more importantly, how he overcame it, offering hope and concrete advice to others who suffer from debilitating anxiety. Blyth relates how he, an outgoing and secure boy, was first struck by panic and social anxiety (a crippling fear of being seen and judged by others) while in college, when it caused him to lock himself in his dorm room for a month. "Panic seemed like an insurmountable wall, and I couldn't see any future beyond it," he writes. His book is chock full of comments and advice from experts in social and other anxiety disorders, and Blyth explains various forms of treatment, from medication to therapy and guided imagery, and what worked and didn't work for him. Particularly for young people, who will identify with Blyth, this is a very good starting place to get past that terrifying wall of anxiety.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Jamie's courage to face his fears and his conviction to reach out to others makes this an inspirational, helpful book." -- Jerilyn Ross, MA, LICSW, director, The Ross Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders and author of Triumph Over Fear

"Jamie's story reminds you that no matter what stands in your way, you can create success beyond your wildest expectations." -- Bill Rancic, winner of The Apprentice

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (December 14, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071447296
• ISBN-13: 978-0071447294
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,657,644 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, January 5, 2005

By 

Lilacs (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fear Is No Longer My Reality (Hardcover)

I got so much out of this book...I did not want to put it down. I read it in two sittings - and I have already recommended it to so many people! The book offers something for everyone: whether you are dealing with anxiety or know and love someone who is struggling, or if you are a Jamie Blyth fan from his Bachelorette days, or even if you are just looking for a new book to pick up - the messages in Jamie's story are universal. And, he is a great storyteller!

I started reading "Fear Is No Longer My Reality" on the airplane, and I was laughing out loud over Jamie's recollections of his childhood as a troublemaker. Then, as he described all he went through enduring such severe anxiety that he could no longer enjoy regular life, I gained a much deeper understanding of what that must be like for the millions of people fighting anxiety every day.

I liked the way Jamie's story was mixed with expert information. It was the perfect balance of his personal story and important clinical information from renowned professionals. Whether you are facing anxiety or any other life challenges, Jamie shares ideas we can all relate to - and his book offers information and inspiration to create the positive changes we all need in our lives. I know it has changed me.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great ! Tells It Like It Is!, January 25, 2005

By 

Mountain Owl "MKP" (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fear Is No Longer My Reality (Hardcover)

Jamie is more than the cool guy who once appeared on ABC's "The Bachelorette, as well as Good Morning America and Oprah. He is a former pro-basketball star in Europe. He coaches Little League. Much of his struggle with anxiety disorder and depression occurred during his college years and in his 20's, and he tells his story in ways that young adults in that age bracket will be able to relate to easily. It's engaging, interesting, and inspiring, and Jamie serves as a model for recovery. It also strikes a blow against stigma. There is no shame in asking for help. Easy to read, with perspectives from medical experts interspersed within the narrative. A lot of good information. It's an ideal book to give to family member or friend.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for Teens, April 1, 2005

By 

Ilana J "WWW.IlanaWrites.com" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fear Is No Longer My Reality (Hardcover)

Jamie Blyth, former Bachelorette contestant recently wrote a fantastic book, Fear Is No Longer My Reality. After reading his inspirational novel about how he overcame social anxiety and went on to compete on national television for Trista's heart, I wrote to him.

In my email I wrote:
"I'm sorry to say I didn't get a chance to catch you on the bachelorette. But I was recommended your book. I'm in the middle of reading it right now, and I'm loving it. I've been struggling with anxiety disorder all my life and its just recently that its starting to really interfere with my life. I love how its formatted, your book, the way you have your story and then all this advice and information. Its really helpful and at the same time very entertaining. Its always nice to read books like this that I can really relate to."

So today as I was writing a difficult chapter, I got an unexpected email.

"llana...
I just want to drop a line and say thank you for writing to me and I am happy that you found the book to be helpful. Since Oprah and after the book, many people have shared their heartfelt stories of pain and struggle, and the more I read them, the more I realize that they are all different and yet somehow the same. We share a bond. As painful as our lives can be with anxiety, our problems are not unique to us. Anxiety is the most common mental health problem in the United States today. We truly are not alone and we are not without hope. These two quotes have helped me out a bunch: "If there is no struggle, there is no progress"...Frederick Douglas.
"Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says I will try again tomorrow"
Thanks again for writing. I really appreciate that! "

Jamie Blyth's Fear Is No Longer My Reality, is an amazing book of triumph over tragedy and will be most appreciated by anyone with anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder affects over 19.1 million adults in the United States. It is the most common mental illness in the United States.

Intrigued? You should be. Fear is No Longer My Reality has advice from professionals who deal with this disorder.

Personally, this book has changed my life.

(I also think its phenomenal that Jamie takes the time to write back to his fans.)