Hope and Help for Your Nerves (Signet) (Paperback)

by Claire Weekes (Author) "If you are reading this book because your nerves are "in a bad way,'' you are the very person for whom it has been written,..." (more)
Key Phrases: nervously ill person, nervously ill people, nervous illness, Anxiety State (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Dr Claire Weekes offers a practical programme for replacing fear and anxiety with understanding and self-confidence. It should be of interest to those suffering from panic attacks, stress, agoraphobia, stage fright and shyness. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Signet (September 4, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451167228
• ISBN-13: 978-0451167224
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,678 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

107 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I WAS AT A BREAKING POINT! This 25 Cent Book SAVED My Life!, February 21, 2005

By	Peter V. Cannice "Peter Vincent Cannice of Sc... (Scottsdale, Arizona USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was in my early 20's and experiencing severe anxiety that consumed me. I had a medical education but was never taught about panic attacks or severe anxiety states. As a matter of fact, the medical school that I attended seemed to cover just about everything there was to know about psychiatry (at least at the level that I was currently at) with the exception of the sort of anxiety that can consume you and destroy your life.

I was having these attacks of severe anxiety, odd thoughts would race around my mind, my heart would race at rates as high as 200 beats per minute, I'd sweat profusely, my arms and legs would go numb, at times I would fall to the ground and pass out, and I felt as though I was coming out of my own skin. And the people around me couldn't usually tell that anything was going on. I became an expert at hiding this illness that I had no definition for. I would have done anything to find a cure for this "illness" I had. There were numerous times that I was convinced that I was having a heart attack. I'd run to the clinic at the school I was going to and be seen by a resident who would assure me that my heart was fine. Perhaps I had a flutter in my heart or something wrong with my thyroid gland or my adrenals. Tests showed I was fine. One after another, test after test, I'd be told that everything checked out just fine.

But I was dying inside. I felt crippled in a horrible way. It became so bad that I feared some public places. Mys favorite pizza place where I'd visit about 3 times per week, at the local mall in Des Moines, was always a place of joy and respit for me. The food was great and it was so enjoyable to be around fellow Italians. All was fine at the pizza parlor until the day I had a panic attack while waiting in line for my order. I fell to the floor and begged my friends to take me out of the mall. I just had to get outside to get some air. I thought I was losing my mind.

After a very long battle and after many visits to therapists, psychiatrists and other healtcare providers, I went to a meeting that was listed in the paper for people with anxiety. I could barely make it to the door, but was assisted by a friend who was trying to help me. The meeting was no very enjoyable, however on the way out of the meeting place I saw a book that was on the table. It was on sale for just 25 cents! I read the back of the book, entitled "Hope and Help for Your Nerves", by Dr. Claire Weekes, and found enough information to grab my attention. I was at the end of my rope. I had no idea that this 25 cent investment would change my life forever.

I've never read a book so fast in my life. I started to read it on the way home from the meeting I attended for people with anxiety. I was happy to get home as home was my "safe place" and the breeding grounds for my agoraphobia. By the end of that night I had read the book 2 times. I connected with absolutely everything in the book. Medicine hadn't worked. Psychotherapy didn't help me. Religion wasn't paying off. Meditation couldn't touch my severe panic states.

Claire Weekes is to be commended for many things. I wish, deep down in my heart, that there was a way for me to contact her to let her know that she saved my sanity and probably my life too. The book was filled with information that made total sense to me. She described what was causing the anxiety states and precisely what was happening in my body. She also repeated that I'd never die from a panic attack. Actually, not a soul has ever died from a panic attack. It sure feels like you're about to die or lose your mind. But have faith as help is around the corner.

I would never suggest a book to help cure an illness unless I knew 100% that the information was true and helpful. I'm telling you that this book saved my life, saved my relationships and kept me from even thinking I was crazy. Less than one week after reading the book, I realized I had not had any panic attacks. I feared that they would sort of pop out of the blue and grab me when I wasn't watching out. But Claire Weekes even described this type of pre-panic anxiety states. Months later I had mastered how to deal with anxious situations and how to breathe through and accept my panic-should it happen again.

It doesn't matter how long you've been suffering from your anxiety disorder or panic state. It's not a situation where the length of time you've spent with the illness will determine the length of your recovery time. This is one of those special freebies in life. Everyone wins by reading Hope and Help for Your Nerves. I still find time to read it and I'm reminded each time that I'm going to be fine and that I will never die from one of these panic attacks and my fear of having an attack in public isn't realistic now that I've read the book.

I suggest this book for anyone who is suffering. Suffer no longer and purchase this book or check out a copy at the library. If money is a real issue, please email me and I will see if I can find a used copy for you. And for those people out there who have loved ones with anxiety problems or panic attacks-this book is perfect for you. There is plenty of information that will explain what your loved one is experiencing. It will also help you take care of yourself and allow you to not feel responsible.

Clearly, this is one of the best books I've ever read. It is the best of true non-fiction and has saved the sanity of more lives than I can imagine. I would never pitch anything I didn't believe in. And this small book has added more to my life than I could ever have dreamed of. I went from being agoraphobic and locked in my home, to hosting telethons in front of thousands of people. It really works and I wish you all the luck in the world. No matter what your situation, you will find peace in reading this book.

Please feel free to email me or start a discussion through Amazon.com. I know what you are going through. I, too, was where you are today. Take a deep breathe and know that this will pass, what is happening is natural and can be controlled and healed forever.

My warm wishes to all. And if anyone knows of a way for me to meet Dr. Claire Weekes, the author who saved my life, please let me know.

I sure hope this review helped in some way.
Peter V. Cannice
Scottsdale, Arizona
Email: [e-mail]

89 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book for suffers , It has the answers., November 6, 1999

By A Customer

I've suffered from anxiety and panic attacks and agrophobia for over 6 years. I thought I was alone until I found Dr. Claire Weekes book. Her advice and explainations and my hard work led to recovery. I since helped start up and lead a self-help group based on her teachings. I've read many books on this topic and I have found Dr. Claire Weekes to be the absolute BEST. Any question you have, any symptom you experience, she explains. There is a pattern to this illness and she helps you understand this, there is a path into this illness and there is a path out. Many could be spared much suffering if we had been educated along the way about our natural responses to prolonged stress. Dr.Weekes has since passed on but she has left a wonderful gift of freedom to those who follow her advice.

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You Dr Claire Weekes, September 7, 1999

By A Customer

I had suffered from anxiety attacks along with spells of depression for approx 3 years. During this time I sought help from Doctors but they simply could not offer anything outside of medication. Within weeks of reading this book I was well on my way to recovery. I don't know how I can ever repay Dr. weekes for her very real and practical help other than to recommend her books to others. My "illness" is part of a distant memory several years after the fact - and I know if the panic ever returns I already have the cure.Thank you Dr. Weekes! May God bless you.