Fear Is No Longer My Reality [Paperback]

This is Jamie Blyth's powerful story behind the reality star's TV image--and a message of hope and healing for the 20 million Americans who suffer from social anxiety disorder. As one of the finalists on ABC-TV's reality dating show "The Bachelorette," Jamie Blyth risked his heart before millions, while going public with his personal struggle against social anxiety and panic disorder in hopes of helping those who continue to suffer in silence.

Fear Is No Longer My Reality includes:

• Expert advice on understanding and handling anxiety disorders from leading authorities
• Information on the latest research-based behavior therapies
• Reviews of the new FDA-approved medications
• A step-by-step plan for managing anxiety

Blyth's amazing transition from a life of fear to a life in the spotlight is explored through stories from his TV life, along with interviews from fellow "Bachelorette" stars Ryan Sutter, Trista Rehn, Charlie Maher, and Bob Guiney.

"For those of us who struggle with anxiety disorder or similar conditions, Jamie's story hits home. It will help to overcome stigma and inspire young people especially, who may recognize themselves in his story, to ask for help if they need it."
--Bob Corolla, Communications Director, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

"A moving personal description of living with severe anxiety and an inspiration for all who struggle with psychiatric disorders­­for coping with symptoms, living with stigma, and overcoming what feels like overwhelming obstacles toward living a fulfilling life."
--Eugene V. Beresin, M.D., Psychiatry Training Director, Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital and Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School

This is the brave and inspiring true story of a man who struggled for nine years with his overwhelming feelings of social anxiety and panic--but who found the courage to conquer his fears . . . and win a starring role as one of the final suitors on the first season of ABC-TV's reality dating show "The Bachelorette." Jamie Blyth not only risked his heart in front of millions of television viewers, he went public with his personal struggle against social anxiety and panic disorder--in hopes of helping the 20 million Americans who continue to suffer in silence.

Fear Is No Longer My Reality also includes:

• Expert advice on understanding and handling anxiety disorders from leading authorities in the field
• Information on the latest research-based behavior therapies
• Reviews of the new FDA-approved medications
• A personal step-by-step plan for managing anxiety

And how did Jamie go from a life trapped by anxiety to a life in the spotlight? His amazing transition is explored through inside stories on Jamie's life on TV, along with fascinating interviews with his fellow Bachelorette stars Ryan Sutter, Trista Rehn, Charlie Maher and Bob Guiney.

"The fear was my constant companion, lurking in my brain and my gut, telling me lies about the world . . . That's when the panic attacks began, and suddenly my life was turned upside down . . . and I didn't know who I was."
--Jamie Blyth

Millions of viewers watched Jamie Blyth put his heart on the line as one of Trista Rehn's final suitors on ABC-TV's reality dating show "The Bachelorette." But few could imagine the incredible courage it took for him to get there. After nine long years of suffering extreme anxiety and panic attacks, Jamie not only managed to confront and conquer his fears, he bravely revealed the details of his struggle on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Good Morning, America," and other nationwide television shows.

This is Jamie Blyth's powerful, highly personal story--the reality behind the reality star's confident TV image--and an inspiring message of hope and healing for the 20 million Americans who suffer from social anxiety disorder. With refreshing candor and insight, Jamie describes a panic-ridden life plagued by inexplicable fear--a paralyzing existence that is shared by one out of nine people but rarely talked about or treated. For Jamie, every day was filled with new anxieties, and new reasons to withdraw from the world. He locked himself in his college dorm room and dreaded even the most casual encounters. Fear had become his only reality. But recognizing the problem--and finally getting help for it--wasn't easy. Jamie's slow, sometimes painful road to recovery required more strength than he knew he had. By reaching into his own hidden resources and empowering his own self-esteem, he was ultimately able to reach out, to trust in himself and others--and change his life forever.

Fear Is No Longer My Reality is an invaluable resource for anyone who suffers from social anxiety disorder and panic attacks, written with the cooperation of leading authorities in the field. It includes expert advice on the latest research-based behavior therapies and cutting-edge information on the new FDA-approved drugs, as well as Jamie's personal step-by-step plan for managing anxiety. It's supplemented with crucial scientific data, inspiring quotations, and fascinating case studies. But most importantly, it's filled with real hope for those who want to change their life.