Customer Reviews
Excellent - life changing and life affirming - By: Ian David Curry, 05 Dec 2007 
This book is, quite simply, the best single resource for sufferers of anxiety & related problems. The fact it so far enjoys only 5 star reviews on this site, in a subject area that normallly produces great variations in opinion, is quite a testament to how well received it has been. It is an excellent reference, a work book to begin or maintain a recovery from debilitating anxiety, an encouragingly & refreshingly pragmatic & realistic appraisal of disorders, treatments & medications & a crutch for those suffering relapses into old, painful habits.
I came to this book thoroughly disillusioned with the genre of self help for those suffering moderate to severe anxiety. Other texts seem to promise much, only to quickly disappoint by reiterating similar messages of just being positive & expelling negative thoughts. But for it being that easy! Bourne's text takes a more comprehensive approach. It fully details the anxiety conditions, & then sets out the methods by which the symptoms & the root condition can be treated & improved.
In doing this he seems to be open minded, rational & encouraging. Rather than dismiss certain forms of treatment, he explains their advantages & disadvantages & acknowledges that different treatments are more effective & more appropriate to different people with different conditions, in varying degrees of seriousness & at differing points in their diagnosis. It is one of the few `self-help' books I have read that suggests for some people medication is the best therapy, & long term exposure to medication may be required, & that this is to be welcomed as a relief from vicious symptoms rather than feared or stigmatised.
The book also fully considers exercise, nutrition, sleep, relaxation techniques, dealing with panic & behavioural patterns. It is a workbook in its approach to cognitive behavioural therapy, overcoming negative self talk, changing mistaken beliefs, visualization, expressing feelings & assertiveness. This alllows the reader to be more proactive, & actuallly put into action the techniques discussed within a progressive & constructive framework. It incorporates a range of step-by-step guidelines, questionnaires, exercises & sheets to be photocopied for use in a programme of CBT.
More than any other resource or individual this book has helped me accept my condition, & treat it as a treatable illness rather than something to be ashamed of or something to endlessly strive to be rid of. Since doing this life has been significantly improved & enjoyed.
LIFE CHANGING - By: Mrs. J. Hall, 13 Sep 2007 Having had panick attacks which led to agoraphobia.
This book has helped me so much. If you have a better understanding of why you get panick attacks & how to deal with them when you get them, it reallly helps.
It has a lot of self help sections in it which have helped me to combat alll my fears. This book is well worth it??
Could save you thousands in therapy. This week I have using the techniques, been in a supermarket unaided,
great book...
Anxiety and Phobia Workbook - it's a miracle!!! - By: Lucy G, 15 Mar 2007 I have suffered from severe anxiety & panic attacks for many years. I was recently referred to the local NHS mental health service who enrolled me on an Anxiety Management course. In the meantime however, I began applying for other jobs & was pleased to be offered 3 interviews.
The flip side of this was the panic attacks & anxiety that I had been suffering from. I reallly didn't want this to jeapordise the chance of me getting a new job by having a panic attack at the interview, & I still had not heard anything from the NHS about the date of the anxiety management course.
I decided to take the bull by the horns & sort the problem myself. I ordered this book & read it in a week. I put the techniques into place - in particular the breathing exrecises, deep muscle relaxation & exercise - & after just 2 weeks i feel relaxed, in control & confident.
I had an interview this morning & didn't panic, shake or feel nervous - it was wonderful! I owe it alll to the advice in this book which talks to the reader in a direct, intelligent manner & is not patronising. Personallly I find NHS leaflets on the subject rather patronising & uninformative (cartoons, captions etc!) but this book was amazing.
I highly recommend it to anyone who suffers at any degree of anxiety. It has changed my life.
The best book on the topic I have ever seen - By: Organic Gardener, 27 Feb 2007 If you are looking for a very comprehensive book on anxiety & phobias, then this book is for you. I came across this book while looking around in the health library of my employer & I am so glad I did. This book covers just about everything, from learning relaxation techniques to regular exercise, nutrition, cognitive therapy, assertiveness training & much more. In my opinion it is simply the best book ever on this topic, because it covers so much but also because it gives you a lot of exercises to do which helped me to feel I can finallly do something to get better. Highly recommendable!
First of all I am over excited! - By: Teresa Mc Guane, 16 Jan 2007 Basicallly it is a step by step recovery program. It works on the Physical , emotional & behavioral,
It also has lots of ways & improving your self esteem & self image.
It has a weekly practice chart which includes, relaxation technique, exercise, countering negative self talk, assertive communication, self esteem, etc.
You do these exercises every week & there is a detailed chapter on every exercise you have to do.
The book covers phobias, social phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder,
What I love about this book is that its so detailed! It gives a plan & a list of things to work on everyday. It does involve a lot of commitment,
