Customer Reviews

Fear Is No Longer My Reality

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.)

I read an interview where Jamie mentioned that he did not go on The Bachelorette to get married, but to face his greatest fear...People! I thought that concept was compelling, so I checked it out. I do not have social anxiety and in fact, I am quite the opposite. But, I love a good story and Jamie's is amazing and I am a tough critic.

It is a human story that will resonate with many. It is about adversity and setbacks and crisis and somehow finding the strength and courage to rise above the torture and struggle that life often imposes. I am sure this book will help those with anxiety, but it is also an account that will move us all, especially those who have been dealt a tough hand. I entered this book curious and walked away profoundly affected.

It actually reads like a good novel....come to think of it, while reading his account or journey through anxiety, I almost felt as if I were reading about Holden Caulfield in Catcher In The Rye. I would never say this is a classic like the latter, but it was very entertaining and moving and the writing and style was impressive to say the least.

Although the book may have been about Anxiety, it was really a metaphor for life. For example, here he partly describes his first panic attack, "A tornado swirled around me, and I was stuck in the center of it, unable to figure out how to get out without being swept up in it and hurled away. I had exited myself and was floating around in this strange body, somebody who wasn't me. I stumbled out into the bright morning glow, buzzing inside, and just as quickly as the bizarre episode began, it stopped. It had lasted about three minutes. Just three minutes, and I was about to find that it had altered my entire world forever."
I can relate. Ultimately, this book is very uplifting and will make you both laugh and cry.

I originally bought this book to learn more about my brother's social anxiety disorder, but what I found was a story we can all relate to since it is laced with very basic, human thoughts and insecurities. Who hasn't let fear stand in his way at some point?
This connection was possible because Jamie was completely honest with himself and his readers. It is very funny, thouroughly entertaining and altogether charming! It reads like a novel not a self-help book which is why I finished it so quickly.
I highly recommend it. It will inspire you to face your own fears in order to "...live the life you imagined."

The initial reason that I reached for this specific book was that I recognized the face from the tv show. My first thought was, "This is a real person...not a doctor...talking about HIS anxiety & panic". It was just somehow more real for me.

Jamie's story is heartwrenching...those of us that have felt all those terrible "symptoms" can just feel for the person talking about it. But it was also a story of strength, love and pure determination - through the good days and the bad days.

Anyone that has issues with anxiety & panic attacks and feels like there is no light shining at the end of that dark tunnel, should pick up this book and read Jamie's journey. It's a huge mountain to climb...but he made it to the top and I plan to also!

Most of the books that deal with fear and anxiety are so clinical. My girlfriend is a big Jamie Blyth (Bachelor or Bachelorette, i am not sure) fan and she made me buy this book. I only bought it for her, but you know what? she was ready to break-up with me b/c of my fear. this book saved my relationship. it's a cool book and it has already helped me in so many ways. jamie, if someone that looks like you can have these problems. then you make it okay for me..

just an average guy trying to make it happen.

I read this book after having borrowed it from a neighbor of mine who deals with this disorder. We (total of 4 different people) found the book to be very elementary. I noticed that the reviews here are from posters that only reviewed the book and "love it", which is a red flag. If you really want to understand Agoraphobia and Panic/Anxiety Disorder, try Freedom From Agoraphobia. It's a rare treat and highly educational. From all of the workbooks I have had my hands on that cover this topic, Freedom From Agoraphobia book made them all look bad. An easy read but covers sub-topics in an honest and sometimes funny way. I can't recall the author, but I got my copy from Amazon.com.

I have read many books on anxiety, especially when i was going through it full force. Most focus on strategies and helpful techniques. While this book also does this, it adds something invaluable, a human connection.

Jamie Blyth describes his bout with panic vividly and without shame. These particular chapters were the most powerful and in my view helpful. Its rare to read the awful situation that one with panic can go through, and then his struggle and strength of conviction to make it through. I applaud the author for this. Finally someone uses his 15 minutes of reality fame to help others. he should be applauded.

I feel like this could be your best friend telling you all that you have ever been curious about when it comes to panic/anxiety attacks. I could relate to him instantly. This is a very down-to-earth documentation of a very complex problem. It inspired me on many levels. Thanks Jamie.