Editorial Review:
Anxiety is not always psychological but rather a disease that can now be controlled. The symptoms are devastating: sudden unprovoked attacks of anxiety-accompanied by skipping and racing of the heart, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizzy spells. Even worse is the fear that you are losing your mind. But here's the good news. The more unexpected and unprovoked the attacks or the symptoms, the more likely that the victim is suffering from a biologically beset disease. What's more, medical science can now overcome this disease in virtually all cases through a combination of drugs and behavior therapy. Dr. David V. Sheenan, formerly of the Havard Medical School, is now the Director of Research of the College of Medicine at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He draws upon recent research and his own pioneering breakthroughs in the treatment of anxiety to present in this book: -Quizzes that will help you determine whether your anxiety is caused by normal stress or is the result of a genetically influenced physical disorder. Seven progressive stages of the disease-and the four steps necessary for recovery. Detailed case histories of former anxiety victims who are now leading full and productive lives. Reassurance and guidance to family members and friends who want to help, but don't know how. This book offers new hope to millions of men and women across the country.
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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 
The Best Book I have ever read for Panic Disorder  2007-11-19
I developed Panic disorder in 1978. I have collected
over 20 books on Panic and anxiety disorders. This
book, in my opinion, was the best. BUY IT !!!
Very insightful, helpful book 2007-07-27
This book was suggested to me by a social worker, and I was somewhat skeptical of it coming from him; but I read it nevertheless.. Let me say, that this book provides insights and methods not often understood by many in the medical field. In saying that, I mean that it is very rare to come across someone that can relate to someone that suffers from Generalized Anxiety Disorder and panic attacks the way that this author does.. A must read if you or someone in your immediate family suffers from one of these problems.
A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2007-02-12
This book is AMAZING!!! Although some of the chapters are a little (okay, a LOT) outdated, mainly the one about medications...I skipped through it...I would recommend this book to ANYONE struggling with panic attacks or ANYONE struggling with UNDERSTANDING someone with panic attacks!!! If you think someone in your life is nuts for freaking out over something tiny pick up this book it could explain A LOT!!!
Omissions and Narrow Viewpoint  2004-07-27
This book has some excellent information which can be found in other less biased books. Since the author is a doctor, I'd expect him to have the viewpoint he does. However, unlike other authors on the topic, he is completely negligent in his presentation. He completely overstresses the biological component of anxiety and the necessity of medication, calling the psychological viewpoint outdated.
As both a long-time sufferer of severe anxiety and depression, and a psychology student, I can attest to the fact that anxiety is not caused just by one source of stress in life. His stages of the development of agoraphobia are correct. I lived through it.
However, I also lived through the recovery he describes in the last chapters. And I did it WITHOUT medication. He says recovery is possible without medication, and yet the person will still be vulnerable to relapsing if any major stressors re-appear. The protagonist in the book (there are actual characters-a real 'love' story, undoubtedly used as a technique to draw readers and believers to his simplistic answer). The woman, at the end of the book, tries only ONE medication which magically works for her.
This scenario is highly, highly unrealistic. Most people struggle with trying various medications. Whether this is a function of the disease or not, it is the typical occurrence from what I have both witnessed personally and through research. Additionally, the woman in the book might not just forget to take her medication (as she does in one section and suffers a relapse), but she might also require higher and higher doses in order to keep herself completely biologically armored from any further anxiety attacks.
This book presents a really cute story. Unfortunately, this is rarely the way it happens. He completely neglects the behavioral aspects of anxiety disorders, such as need for control. He also ignores the fact that many people have mixed anxiety-depression, and that depression isn't always a result of the anxiety limiting them, but that it can be a precursor to anxiety.
Also, some names of medications are omitted and incorrect, unless these are publishing errors. For instance, he mentions Alprazolam as a new drug, which it isn't, and also talks about its anti-depressant qualities. Well, Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine. It is NOT an antidepressant. Next, he mentions the trade names of all the benzodiazepines except for Diazepam, which we know as Valium.
While the names of drugs might be innocent omissions, his simplistic presentation of anxiety is NOT without extreme bias and favoritism for medicine. Is there a biological component to anxiety? Of course there is. As long as we are alive, there is a biological component to everything. But this does not mean that medication is REQUIRED to correct it. Anxiety isn't diabetes. It won't kill you if you don't take Prozac. Medication is a temporary relief, not a lifetime solution. The only real solution is learning that anxiety will not kill you. This doctor seems aimed to convince you otherwise.
You don't have to believe me, after all the author is the one with the medical degree. But I know my experience was completely different than what he has presented when it comes to treatment, and since I am human and there are others like me, I would assume I am not alone. I write the above as a warning to those who are new to this field and are looking for basic insight into their anxiety problems. You want to heal biologically? Look at your diet, exercise, vitamins, the basics! Don't go running to the doctor for nothing, wasting months trying medications with side effects more devastating than the anxiety itself.
Excellent book 2004-06-30
I've had this book for 13 years and never attempted to read it until now. I thought alot of my symptoms were unique to me because I never heard of anyone else having them until I read this book. I like the way the author describes all of the steps anxiety goes through. It has helped me to recognize things I went through before I realized I had a problem with anxiety. I really feel much better about myself and believe that I do have a chance to get over my problems with anxiety.
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