The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

The book contains a wide array of topics: causes of anxiety, coping with attacks, pharmaceutical treatments, holistic treatments, psychological approaches, nutrition, relaxation, where to find support, how to give support... the book would be worth triple its price just for the richness of information Dr. Bourne has compiled.

Add to that the excellent workbook exercises and techniques, and you have a truly indispensable resource.

I was very pleased with the presentation of the material. This book is not overflowing with warm and fuzzy, touchy-feely reassurances like many "self-help" books. Instead, it has proven, practical, self-paced techniques and exercises which you can use in your daily life, presented in a clear and easy-to-digest format. It's not a dry textbook, and it's not a bit of pop-psychology fluff -- this is a powerful tool for anyone whose quality of life has diminished because of anxiety and fear.

Good luck!

I especially liked the fact that the book was interactive AND specific. When you're depressed, it can be hard to respond to open-ended prompts like "describe some situations that make you anxious". The prompts in this book are usually "check all that apply", True-False, "rate from 1-5" etc, which is easier to do even if part of you is resistant. Also -- every chapter ended with a checklist of, well, homework. Many books on depression and anxiety left me *knowing* more (or thinking I did) but not changing anything -- just wishing things would change! This book helped me to assume responsibility for my own role in recovering, and gave me the tools (in simple steps!) to do it.

I have given this book to at least five other people suffering from panic attacks, perfectionism, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder, and they ALL, also, found it extremely helpful.

The book may not help everyone, but it acknowledges this -- occasionally it points readers in other possible directions (bibliographies at the end of each chapter encourage readers to learn more about anger, co-dependence, depression, etc, if indicated). Definitely a good place to start for anyone with anxiety difficulties of any kind. Also, don't rule it out if you have depression -- your depression might be (like mine) the inevitable result of too much anxiety.

A few of years ago, out of the blue, I suddenly began having panic attacks. I found this book by chance, at a bookstore (I knew I made a good choice when the cashier went on and on about how much it helped her) and I am very grateful I found it when I did. Had I not overcome my fears, I would have missed out on many wonderful things that my anxiety would have prevented me from experiencing -- including traveling to Europe. During that difficult year, just imagining a 9-hour flight used to bring up all sorts of anxieties. I decided I could not let this fear stand in the way of a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so when the time came, I took a little GABA (an amino acid recommended in the book) and packed a tiny notebook with helpful things from the workbook in my bag. However, truth be told, I never needed to open that notebook because of the way the book re-trains your mind to THINK... you can "talk yourself out of attacks" when you feel them coming on. I am happy to say that, not only did I make that first trip overseas, I went on a second overseas trip the following year (this time to Greece!). Thanks to this book, I have not had a panic attack in almost three years.

I highly recommend this book.