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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Something for Everyone, 1 Dec 2009
This review is from: The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (Anxiety & Phobia Workbook) (Paperback)
A lot of self-help books are hit or miss because they give you one or two strategies for solving a problem. Not so with this book- that's because its a workbook. This means the book takes a problem, and gives you MANY different strategies and ways of solving it. I'm a big fan of workbooks, simply because there's something for everyone. If you don't like strategy "A", well, then just move on and try strategy "B" or "C". Here's a few more specifics about the book...
-you take a self diagnosis questionnaire to help you identify which anxiety disorder you may be dealing with
-you will learn about the causes of anxiety disorders, including triggers and maintaining causes
-the book proposes a multi-level comperehensive approach that addresses different levels of contributing causes (physical, emotional, behavioral, mental, interpersonal, whole-self, and spiritual
-you can use the weekly practice records to monitor your own program
-the bulk of the book is esentially a bunch of strategies that you can choose from, such as breathing exercises, desensitization, physical exercise (also recommend Exercise Beats Depression for more on that), self-talk, and visualization
As you can see, the book takes a very comprehensive approach to getting the reader better and most are bound to find at least find one or two techniques that will really hit the nail on the head. Five stars easy.
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48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Anxiety and Phobia Workbook - it's a miracle!!!, 15 Mar 2007
This review is from: The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (Anxiety & Phobia Workbook) (Paperback)
I have suffered from severe anxiety and 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 and was pleased to be offered 3 interviews.
The flip side of this was the panic attacks and anxiety that I had been suffering from. I really didn't want this to jeapordise the chance of me getting a new job by having a panic attack at the interview, and 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 and sort the problem myself. I ordered this book and read it in a week. I put the techniques into place - in particular the breathing exrecises, deep muscle relaxation and exercise - and after just 2 weeks i feel relaxed, in control and confident.
I had an interview this morning and didn't panic, shake or feel nervous - it was wonderful! I owe it all to the advice in this book which talks to the reader in a direct, intelligent manner and is not patronising. Personally I find NHS leaflets on the subject rather patronising and 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.
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35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent - life changing and life affirming, 5 Dec 2007
This review is from: The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook (Anxiety & Phobia Workbook) (Paperback)
This book is, quite simply, the best single resource for sufferers of anxiety and related problems. The fact it so far enjoys only 5 star reviews on this site, in a subject area that normally 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 and refreshingly pragmatic and realistic appraisal of disorders, treatments and medications and 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 and expelling negative thoughts. But for it being that easy! Bourne's text takes a more comprehensive approach. It fully details the anxiety conditions, and then sets out the methods by which the symptoms and the root condition can be treated and improved.
In doing this he seems to be open minded, rational and encouraging. Rather than dismiss certain forms of treatment, he explains their advantages and disadvantages and acknowledges that different treatments are more effective and more appropriate to different people with different conditions, in varying degrees of seriousness and 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, and long term exposure to medication may be required, and 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 and behavioural patterns. It is a workbook in its approach to cognitive behavioural therapy, overcoming negative self talk, changing mistaken beliefs, visualization, expressing feelings and assertiveness. This allows the reader to be more proactive, and actually put into action the techniques discussed within a progressive and constructive framework. It incorporates a range of step-by-step guidelines, questionnaires, exercises and 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, and 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 and enjoyed.
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