Living with Anxiety: A Clinically Tested Step-by-Step Plan for Drug-Free Management [Paperback]

Bob Montgomery (Author), Laurel Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2001

According to a 1999 Surgeon General's report, "Anxiety disorders are the most common, or frequently occurring, mental disorders." Too often overworked doctors prescribe drugs to manage the condition for a short-term cure and send the patient on his way quickly. Psychologists Bob Montgomery and Laurel Morris strongly disagree with treating anxiety disorders with drugs. Their timely book provides a step-by-step plan to help anxious people learn to cope without resorting to medication, even for severe manifestations of anxiety such as obsessive-compulsive disorders and panic attacks.In easy-to-understand terms, Montgomery and Morris define anxiety, describe the different forms it takes, and show how to manage anxiety in everyday life. They discuss general anxiety, agoraphobia, phobias in general, social phobias, and social anxiety, among other types.Living with Anxiety discusses how and why to stop taking anxiety drugs and when drugs can help; it also recommends when to seek out a psychologist. It offers readers practical exercises and specific strategies for dealing with feelings, thoughts, and physical symptoms associated with anxiety attacks, and methods for strengthening social, sexual, and interpersonal skills that can be the source of anxiety.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Anxiety is the single largest mental health problem in the U.S., according to recent studies. Researchers have found that 30% to 40% of the general population suffers from excessive anxiety. Psychologists Bob Montgomery and Laurel Morris (coauthors, Surviving: Coping with a Life Crisis) argue, in Living with Anxiety: A Clinically Tested Step-by-Step Plan for Drug-Free Management, that it is possible and even preferable for the anxious to cope without drugs, and the book guides readers through a self-help process. While Montgomery and Morris responsibly advise readers to seek counseling from a trained clinical psychologist if the advice in their book doesn't work, they believe that dealing with anxiety without a therapist has self-esteem benefits. They also note, rightly, that psychotherapy is too expensive for many people, and many insurance plans don't cover it; for that very reason, this book is likely to find a wide audience.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Bob Montgomery, Ph.D., a psychologist and professor, has written more than a dozen self-help titles. He lives in Australia. Laurel Morris, Ph.D., has been in private practice for eighteen years and written ten other books. She lives in Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1 edition (August 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555613063
• ISBN-13: 978-1555613068
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,622,546 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars You'll be too nervous tread this book, March 24, 2008

By 

Barry Winiker (Oceanside, New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Living with Anxiety: A Clinically Tested Step-by-Step Plan for Drug-Free Management (Paperback)

This is an example of apparently knowledgeable and thoughtful authors creating a book that cannot really be considered a self help book, but one that can be only useful if digested by a therapist who could implement some of the few suggestions made in the book. There was a lot explanation of the various disorders, much of it tedious and unnecessary and the descriptions of the various disorders literally consumed over half the book. The main message seemed to be: Don't take tranquilizers or even anti-depressants (applicable to only limited cases) and this warning was repeated incessantly. It wasn't until Chapter 10, that the authors began to provide the self help advice that you were looking for, and forgive me, if I found that advice unhelpful. Yes, there was obviously some good ideas proffered, but it was neither as comprehensive, empathetic or insightful as many of the other books I have read on the subject. The bottom line: I felt more nervous as I was reading the book than when I started. You might try reading a book by the famous ALbert Ellis or an obscure but excellent one by CLaire Weekes. But ultimately this book was rather heavy on description but curiously superficial on self help. I can't imagine anyone really deriving any benefit from reading this. My apologies to the well intentioned authors but this book will not inspire you, encourage you, or even enlighten you.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to cope with anxiety without medication, December 13, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living with Anxiety: A Clinically Tested Step-by-Step Plan for Drug-Free Management (Paperback)

Living With Anxiety provides an important plan on how to cope with anxiety without medication: an explanation which helps readers form basic understanding on anxiety, from its sources and manifestation to methods of control. Exercises and specific strategies are outlined.