Lucas Beaumont
If you suffer from panic attacks, severe anxiety or any of the related phobias rest assured that there is plenty of help out there. You should, of course, always confide in family members and close friends because they may be able to help you through some of the difficult times. Medical help is also widely available, as doctors, psychologists and counsellors focus on the area of panic and anxiety episodes.
There are also several methods of self-help, including seemingly simple tasks as taking a walk or focusing on a specific task when you feel a panic attack coming. Many of the psychologists and other counselling experts can teach you how to use visualization of relaxing images or subjects. They may also help you by providing ideas about diet and nutrition practices that can reduce the intensity of panic attacks or eliminate some attacks altogether.
People who find all of this information too confusing may want to turn to one of the many books written specifically to address the issues of anxiety, panic attacks and phobias. One such book is entitled The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook. Written by Edmund J. Bourne, this book has a fascinating subtitle, “From Panic to Power.”
As with many other books in this category, Bourne’s book is meant for those who battle panic attacks and consistent fears such as social settings, crowds and so on. This “workbook” was written as an instruction manual for self-help techniques, such as those mentioned earlier. It also recommends some steps that may lead to the “power” mentioned in the subtitle.
Individuals who devote some time and effort to the suggestions in this book and others may find themselves on a road to recovery that makes them feel powerful (as compared to the helplessness that often accompanies panic/anxiety episodes).
Another helpful publication is Don’t Panic – Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks (Reid Wilson 2009 3rd Edition). This book has almost 400 pages written with the suffering individual in mind. Emphasis is placed on attitude and self-help strategy. This type of book can help almost anyone gain a better understanding of panic attacks, panic disorder, irrational fears and frightening phobias.
One other helpful book, written more than 20 years ago, is The Anxiety Disease (David Sheehan M.D. Bantam Books, 1986). It certainly is one of the earlier books about this serious and important subject. Information from various booksellers states that Sheehan’s writing takes a scientific approach but every non-medical person will still be able to understand and use the information provided.
A few other books that may be of great help:
• Panic Disorder: The Medical Point of View (4th Edition by William D Kernodle, M.D., William D Kerrode, Anne Hill – Editor)
• Anxiety and Its Treatment. The authors, J. Greist, Isaac Marks and James Jefferson, are medical doctors who produced this work in 1986.
• When Panic Attacks by David D. Burns M.D. 2007
There are many helpful books similar to these. The list is only intended to provide a good start in your search for the best information about anxiety and panic attacks.
