The Worst is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Judith Simon Prager (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

What does one say to an injured person after calling 911? According to therapist/crisis counselor Acosta and therapist/consultant Prager, the magic words are "the worst is over." Then one continues to administer what the authors call "Verbal First Aid" soothing words that will promote psychic and medical healing, even before the ambulance arrives. Verbal First Aid, say the authors, arose from the needs of crisis and rescue personnel, to whom they have taught their technique, and was designed to complement medical care. Offered here are sample scripts for a wide variety of situations for various populations (e.g., children) and emergencies (e.g., car crashes, bleeding, panic attacks, and childbirth). They also offer techniques such as guided imagery to deal with nonemergency situations like chronic illness, as well as suggestions for self-care for both professional and nonprofessional caregivers. Though there is an extensive bibliography, many statements are presented without references to medical studies. The authors frequently refer to their web site, www.theworstisover.com, as a source of more information; however, at press time, it was little more than a site from which to sell the book. Large public libraries may want to purchase for self-help collections; otherwise, buy where interest warrants. Martha E. Stone, Treadwell Lib., Boston
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A major contribution to healing and one of the most original books I have read in some time. " -- Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Healing Words and Healing Beyond The Body

"The Worst Is Over is like an answer to a prayer. It gives everyone, from parent to firefighter, the knowledge and courage to say exactly the right thing at the right time in a way that is healing, uplifting, and also life-saving." -- Christiane Northrup, M.D., author of, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom (Bantam, 1998), The Wisdom of Menopause (Bantam, March 2001)

"This book will be known as the seminal work for teaching compassionate crisis intervention... the 'bible' for crisis communication." -- Patti White, Ph.D., Editor International Journal of Emergency Mental Health --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Jodere Group (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588720233
• ISBN-13: 978-1588720238
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,543,138 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Worst Is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts, March 19, 2002

By	Dr. R. L. Levenson Jr. (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Worst Is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts--Verbal First Aid to Calm, Relieve Pain, Promote Healing, and Save Lives (Paperback)

Beautifully written - eloquent, thoughtful, sensitive and, at the same time, scholarly and professional - this book is a "must read" for physicians, psychologists, social workers, police, fire, emergency personnel - in short, anyone who responds to crises and knows that the right words can soothe, promote healing, and initiate psychological recovery. The Worst Is Over takes the reader through a discovery of how Verbal First Aid is used to ease physical pain, conquer traumatic events, and work through emotional dysfunction. The book provides a "new language" to be employed in a vast variety of stressful, traumatic, and life-changing events. It excels as a training manual for interpersonal interaction. In view of the events of September 11, 2001, The Worst Is Over is mandatory reading for anyone with a colleague, friend, or family member suffering the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A chapter for Caregivers is also provided. The Worst Is Over is sure to become a classic and serve as a reference point for how to deal with the uncertainties in our lives in this time.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, December 10, 2006

By	T. Del Giudice "tanfeliz" (Fayettenam) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Worst Is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts--Verbal First Aid to Calm, Relieve Pain, Promote Healing, and Save Lives (Paperback)

I am a professional hypnotist, also firefighter and completing paramedic training at this writing. I'm surprised to see only one reader review of this fine piece of work, so I'd like to second exactly what Dr. Levenson wrote above. Definitely an extremely valuable piece of work.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good basics - not in much depth, May 14, 2007

By	David Spero "David Spero RN" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Worst Is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts--Verbal First Aid to Calm, Relieve Pain, Promote Healing, and Save Lives (Paperback)

The idea of "verbal first aid" fascinates me. How much can we do with words alone in a crisis? Judith Acosta's book says we can do quite a lot -calm people down, make them feel safe, even promote healing.

Most of her techniques are drawn from guided imagery and hypnosis - stuff I was already very familiar with. I describe some of this experience in my book "The Art of Getting Well: Maximizing Health when You Have a Chronic Illness" (available on Amazon). But if you don't know much about imagery, some of this might be a revelation to you.

I wish there had been more specific examples and ideas - a lot of it is too general for me. It was a worthwhile read, but I didn't learn as much as I had hoped.