Customer Reviews

Power Over Panic: Freedom from Panic-Anxiety Related Disorders, 2nd Edition

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

 

 

I have been a sufferer of Panic Disorder and generalized anxiety for 17 years. In my constant quest for relief I have read an enormous amount of material on the subject in addition to taking medications, therapy, and of course visiting a cardiologist. I was amazed on finding this book of little over 100 pages, to explain my disorder clearly and in very simple terms and direct me (at last) to proper treatment. After you read it you'll have to ask yourself why no one else explained it this way or even bothered to explain it at all! It is not full of testimonials or life stories. Just the facts and compassionate understanding from the author who also has suffered. This is AA for Panic and Anxiety.

I have suffered from Panic Attacks for about 12 years. They first started when my Father died (12 years ago). Like others, the first time is probably the worse since you have no idea what is going on.
Even though you become somewhat educated in your problem, the attacks seem to be just as frightening. You know they are "attacks" and that you are not going to die, but your mind still believes you may...and the vicious cycle starts all over.
I have been to therapy a few times for this with minimal results. The attacks seemed to have subsided over the last few years, but the death of my Mother (6 months ago) has brought them back.
I purchased this book while looking through the Internet; researching again on how I can get relief from these attacks. I came across the Web site on Bronwyn Fox and liked what I read so I ordered the book.
Although short (100+ pages), it was extremely insightful, for me. Even though I knew a lot of what was mentioned, I was fascinated by the chapters that I didn't know. I would love to mention all of the eye-opening parts I read, but it would be too long to mention. But a small example of items would be:
Dissociation & derealization - I knew I had experienced these things many times and although a little frightening, just out of shear repetition, I learned to live with it, without knowing what it was. Now I find out that it has a lot to do with my condition and can even control it.
Also, the term of "anticipatory anxiety". This is the fear of having an attack while meeting some social commitment. Do I ever suffer from that. She briefly talks about how to deal with that and the very next night, I was having this kind of attack and remembered what she wrote and the attack subsided quickly.
I intend on reading this book several more times and have since ordered the CD's and DVD's from her site. I actually feel better after reading this book and feel it was well worth it.

I stumbled upon this book by mistake, and it was so "right on target" that I came to see if she other books.

I have been managing panic attacks and anxiety for over 10 years. This book explains the "so what" approach ~ and while it seems so simple .....it made so much sense to me.

If you have anxiety, panic, or depression I reccommend this book with more than 5 stars.

Anybody who suffers from anxiety/panic should read this book. Even if you come out feeling that this text was a little "lightweight" as another reviewer indicated, the approach that Fox offers is unique in my experience and, importantly, effective. Instead of trying to treat the symptoms as many books do (e.g., write down calming statements, practice breathing exercises, etc), Power Over Panic encourages a fundamental perspective adjustment to how we view our disorder. Lose the fear of your anxiety/panic and it will lose its power over you. Simple enough but an important lesson nonetheless. Best of luck, life is too good to waste on anxiety and panic.

I found this book incredibly helpful, I would recommend it. I also read Hope and help for you nerves. This book is a fairly short read and to the point. It will give you the basic tools and comfort you need to start on the road to recovery. However it is up to you to be vigilant and use these tools and learn to accept these weird feelings and not freak out. Easier said than done, I know. You have to believe what is written and learn to stop second guessing and what if'ing.

I gave this book a chance and read it with an open mind, but I didn't get much back in return. The book had many repetitive ideas and I disagree with the author believing that self-esteem issues are at the core of anxiety disorders. I did, however, find the meditation section helpful. I would have liked the book to describe more techniques to overcome panic, then just describe ideas about it. It was a lot about what we need to do, but not much on how to do it. It was still an interesting discussion of anxiety disorders....just felt like it was missing a few chapters.