Anxiety, Phobias and Panic

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What People Are Saying About Anxiety, Phobias & Panic

• Authors
• Therapists
• Leaders of Self-Help Organizations for Suffers of Anxiety, Phobias & Panic
• Reviews
• Table of Contents

AUTHORS

“I think this is an unusually complete and thoroughgoing book on how to handle anxiety and it will be quite helpful to many readers.”

Albert Ellis, Ph.D.
Author of A New Guide to Rational Living and Director of the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy

“A clearly written book that should enable readers to evaluate, understand, reduce anxiety—and change their own self-defeating behaviors. I particularly like the part about making an ally of anger.”

Jean Baer
Author of How to be an Assertive—Not Aggressive—Woman, co-author of Don’t Say Yes When you Want to Say No and Making Life Right When It Feels All Wrong

“. . . a comprehensive and well thought out program for anyone suffering from anxiety, phobias, and panic. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for patients and therapists alike . . . the reader can quickly grasp the concepts and then follow through on the appropriate action steps. It is a major contribution to the field . . .”

Neil A. Fiore, Ph.D.
Author of The Now Habit: Overcoming Procrastination Through Quality Work & Guilt-Free Play and The Road Back to Health

THERAPISTS

“I think it is an excellent work and quite complete.”

Arthur B. Hardy, M.D.
President, TERRAP Programs

At last, here is a knowledgeable, practical, and readable book on how to overcome stress and anxiety-related problems . . . This book is a welcome addition to the practicing therapist’s shelf.

Jane J. Frey, M.A., M.F.T.

This book is on the “must read” list for all those suffering from anxiety and related problems, plus professionals interested in knowing more about these timely subjects . . . a clear, concise and interesting manual . . . I highly recommend Anxiety, Phobias & Panic for a vast audience.

Jann M. McCord, Psy.D.

This book is a much needed resource book for the therapist. Highly recommended reading for anyone suffering from phobias. Its clear messages and exercises will help overcome the anxieties that so many of us experience.

Dorothy L. Lambert, MFT
New Horizons Counseling Center

LEADERS OF SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS FOR SUFFERERS OF ANXIETY, PHOBIA & PANIC

It is a great book for individual use or as the material for study in a small group setting. ABIL, Inc. a support network for people with panic disorder/agoraphobia is currently using the book in five self-help groups held through out the city of Richmond, Virginia. With almost ninety people as part of these groups we are seeing many changes taking place in personal lives. The book is written with great sensitivity and is the most thorough and practical book available to addressing this problem.

Shirley F. Green
Executive Director of Agoraphobics Building Independent Lives (ABIL), a large nonprofit self-help organization based in Richmond, Virginia

I find your book one of the most comprehensive and well written books on anxiety and panic. It is easily followed no matter what stage of recovery one is at . . . I am one of many who see your book as a superior self-help tool. The presentation of material is outstanding.

Anne Barnett
Facilitator of Phobia Recovery and Support group—a large nonprofit self-help group in Potomac, MD

I am really grateful to Shirley for introducing me to Anxiety, Phobias & Panic and to you for providing an opportunity for comments. Thank you for a book that cannot help but benefit sufferers of anxiety disorders.

Lynn Maguire
Phobia Society of Dallas, Texas

I think your book is outstanding.

Harold V. Neher
ABIL Self-help group leader in Poquoson, VA

REVIEWS

This workbook is the ultimate when it comes to defining all the anxiety disorders and a step-by-step approach to recovery . . . It is a road map not only to self-discovery, but also to recovery from the grips of fear. This book is a necessary tool for self-help groups. When used in a group it enhances interpersonal communication and deletes the “war stories” that are so prevalent in group dynamics.

Anxiety Disorders Association of America Self-help Network Newsletter

A very rational excursion into fears and phobias, with complete suggestions on how to handle anxiety . . . lucidly written . . . one of the better reality-oriented psychological self-help books.

The Book Reader

Struggling with fear, anxiety, stress and all the things that go along with these negative emotions? “Anxiety, Phobias & Panic: Taking charge & conquering fear” is a self-help book that explores underlying factors causing these feelings and gives advice for overcoming them. The book, written by Reneau Z. Peurifoy, MA, MFT invites readers to participate in a step-by-step program designed to overcome fear and anxiety-related problems. A variety of issues, including self-esteem, anger, self-defeating behavior, change and standing up for yourself, are examined.

Lucille U. Freeman
Chicago Daily Defender

 

Preface

Acknowledgment

Lesson 1: What, Why, and How

• Anxiety and Fear
• Panic Attacks
• "Medical" Causes of Anxiety
• Seven Types of Anxiety-Related Problems
• The "High Anxiety Personality"
• The "Roots" of the High Anxiety Personality
• The "Fight or Flight" Response
• How Panic Disorder Develops

Lesson 2: Reducing the Symptoms of Anxiety

• Four Common Roadblocks
• Four Basic Skills for Reducing the Symptoms of Anxiety
• Causes for Several Types of Anxiety Problems

Lesson 3: Understanding and Reducing Stress

• What is Stress?
• Basic Stress Management Principles
• Stress Symptom Inventory
• Three Guidelines for Periods of High Stress
• Develop a Lifestyle Based on Stress Management Principles

Lesson 4: Identifying and Reducing the Sources of Anxiety

• Needs and Beliefs
• How Emotions Are Generated
• Why Do We Have Emotions?
• Habitual Thinking Patterns
• The Cognitive Approach
• Should/Must Thinking

Lesson 5: Eight Common Forms of Distorted Thinking

• The Eight Common Forms of Distorted Thinking
• Changing the Way You think

Lesson 6: Learning to Enjoy Being Human

• The Characteristics of Perfectionism
• Challenge Beliefs that Support Perfectionism
• Changing Perfectionistic Behavior

Lesson 7: Becoming a Positive Realist

• Negative Anticipation
• Thinking and Acting Like a Victim
• Blaming and Scapegoating

Lesson 8: The Excessive Need for Approval

How the Excessive Need for Approval Is Expressed

• Eliminating the Excessive Need for Approval

Lesson 9: Eliminating the Self-Defeating Behaviors Commonly Associated with Anxiety

• Behavioral Therapy
• Gradual In Vivo Exposure
• Guidelines for Practicing
• Other Forms of Exposure

Lesson 10: The Process of Change

• Learned Helplessness, Self-Efficacy, and Change
• Rationalization and Denial
• Six Roadblocks to Change

Lesson 11: Feeling Good About Yourself

• Self-Esteem and Self-Acceptance
• The Development of Low Self-esteem and Self-Acceptance
• The Fear of Being Incompetent
• Eight Approaches for Increasing Self-esteem and Self-Acceptance

Lesson 12: Making Anger Your Friend and Ally

• What Is Anger?
• The Threats that Generate Anger and Fear
• Actions Generated by Anger
• Appropriate vs. Inappropriate Anger
• Minimizing Inappropriate Anger
• A Four-Step Approach for Dealing with Anger
• Suggestions for People Who Habitually Suppress Anger
• Suggestions for People Who Anger Easily
• Dealing with Anger Directed at You from Others
• The Fear of Losing Control

Lesson 13: Standing Up for Yourself

• Three Basic Types of Behavior
• Common Irrational Beliefs about Assertiveness
• Your Rights and Responsibilities
• The DERN Approach: An Effective Assertive Method for Resolving Conflicts
• "I Language"

Lesson 14: Staying On Track

• Seven Common Tactics that Can Sabotage Your Assertive Efforts
• Five General Approaches for Resolving Problems and conflicts
• When Is an Assertive Approach Most Effective?
• What to Do When People Fail to Keep Their Agreements
• Resolving conflicts with Businesses and Sales People

Lesson 15: Continuing Your Growth

• Evaluate Your Progress
• Three Plans for Continuing Your Growth

Appendix 1: Methods for Developing a Relaxation Response

Appendix 2: Guidelines for Selecting a Therapist

Appendix 3: Locating a Local Self-help Group

Appendix 4: Suggestions for People with Sleep Problems

Appendix 5: Developing Effective Listening Skills

Recommended Reading

Supplemental Materials

About the Author

Index

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E-mail comments to: lrsc@rpeurifoy.com

Disclaimer: This site contains general reference information and is not intended as a substitute for consulting with a physician or a psychotherapist.

Copyright © 1999 by Reneau Peurifoy, MA — All Rights Reserved