Product Description

a simple, straightforward guide that helps readers understand the overwhelming feelings associated with anxiety disorders, simple phobias, panic disorders, and agoraphobia

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #200324 in Books
• Published on: 1994-04-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780894869716
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Review
Nothing to fear but fear itself? For anyone who has ever suffered from the palm sweating, heart pounding, trembling, panting, exhausting terror of anxiety or panic attacks, that is more than enough. This book, authored by two recovering agoraphobics, offers strategies for managing anxieties and phobias, emphasizing the need to first accept our anxiety and panic, encouraging us to take risks, and giving specific dialogues to counter fearful self-talk. Although they do not address nutritional approaches or relaxation techniques, the cognitive approach they emphasize is a uniquely valuable strategy for understanding and managing fear. -- From The WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for Women; review by Patricia Pettijohn

About the Author
Judith Bemis, a recovered agoraphobic, started experiencing panic attacks in 1965 while doing post-graduate work at the University of Minnesota. Thinking that it was a serious medical problem, she continually searched for answers concerning the cause, but to no avail. After a period of being semi-housebound, she managed to white-knuckle it until a major setback in 1981 prompted a renewed search for help. A year of cognitive therapy proved to be a turning point in her life.Wanting to share her new-found freedom with others, she founded Open Door Outreach, Inc., a network of support groups for people with agoraphobia and other anxiety disorders. She has served as director and facilitator for the organization since 1986. She also publishes the Open Door Quarterly Newsletter. She is co-author ofEmbracing the Fear, Learning to Manage Anxiety and Panic Attacks. A second manuscript, The Gentle Voice Within, Gaining a New Perspective of Our Anxiety and Panic Attacks was recently completed and is unpublished at this time. She has been called on to speak to various groups in the Twin Cities on the subject of anxiety. She is committed to helping improve the lives of people with anxiety disorders and their families.Ms. Bemis holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota. She did post-graduate work at the University of Minnesota and Michigan State University. She has been a public school teacher for thirty-two years and has worked as a consultant at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital's Behavioral Medicine Clinic in Minneapolis. She continues to do in vivo therapy with persons with panic disorder.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
However, for those of us with an anxiety disorder, telling ourselves that we have to get hold of ourselves or that we have to relax only adds more pressure to our anxiety state. When we find relaxation difficult, we feel we have failed at a task anyone should be able to accomplish. What we need to do, in fact, is to learn how to be anxious.

People suffering from anxiety disorders in general, and agoraphobia in particular, appear to use chemicals, especially alcohol, to relieve their symptoms. It may be that agoraphobia, in many cases, follows attempts to relieve anxiety symptoms. One study found that as many as one-third of agoraphobics who are also alcoholics said they began drinking as a way of controlling their anxiety symptoms.

Customer Reviews

This book saved me!!
I must admit that Lucinda Bassett's program (15 week taped program) and Dr. Bourne's "Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" are remarkable...but I feel that this book "Embracing the Fear" was the last "pill" I really needed to help in my recovery from agoraphobia. Once housebound, I have read many books on the topic. This book is wonderful... I have underlined and highlighted almost the entire book. THIS is the first book that talked to me about MY fear--not fear of dying like so many other books describe but fear of the TERROR of a panic attack. I KNEW I was not dying...I was just avoiding my life trying to protect myself from having one of those dreaded attacks away from home. I HIGHLY recommend this book. I am currently finishing up my master's degree in counseling and will definitely use this with my anxious clients. I can't tell you how much this book has helped me. It is like my second Bible.

Great Advice and not Another Lousy Workbook
I have read and or purchased over 10 Anxiety books and this one was definiately a book worth reading. I hate the fill in the blank what did I do today to make me better garbage? I want general advice or a cognitive plan that works. I've suffered with my illness for more than 6 months, been on many different meds. (Still taking them) and tried many things. To me this book is better than any therapy I've had so far. This book will not cure you, but it will teach you how to "Cope" with attacks instead of fighting them. It also teaches you that self-talk is not always a good thing.

This one is the best because I've read them all
I have consumed every book out there on this subject. This is the best book for helping the patient cope and understand the condition. It has more helpful coping strategies than any other book on the market. It is upbeat and give you the sense that you can handle this, and you are going to be fine. I love their attitude.