The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook: What I Learned from Chapter One

Although I’ve had it for years, I keep taking my copy of The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook off the shelf and rereading it. Of all of the anxiety books I’ve read, this one seems to offer the most reassurance and helpful advice. That said, I’ve ordered three additional books about panic and anxiety that should arrive any day now. I’ll be sure to post about them as well.

At any rate, I’ve been looking over the first chapter again. It provides lots of helpful reminders, such as a list of symptoms of anxiety attacks. Whenever I’m feeling truly horrible, I just refer to that list, and it helps to put things in perspective. The most comforting item on the list? “Heart Palpitations (rapid or irregular heartbeat). I’m not alone!

This chapter also gives a good definition of what agoraphobia is. People tend to think that someone with agoraphobia is someone who won’t leave their house, but that’s not true at all. Agoraphobic behavior can be as simple as avoiding the hairdresser’s chair because you feel as though you can’t leave. And often times, you can’t–unless you want seriously overbleached hair!

It goes over social phobia, which is something that I’m particularly interested in since I have been having it lately. And for no apparent reason! Four months ago I was one of the most social people you would ever have met! I digress.

This chapter has made me realize that panic disorder isn’t the only thing I struggle with. Generalized anxiety disorder is something I’ve had for years, and have generally tried to medicate in some way or another. “Feeling keyed up”? Yep, that’s me.

About the only thing I don’t have in Chapter One is OCD–Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I’m surprised! I have left my hair straightener on all day before, though, and was not overly concerned, so I’ll cross that one off the list.

There is a handy dandy self-diagnosis questionnaire, along with exhaustive references, should you be like me and want to read every book on anxiety ever written. Thankfully, The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook also includes solutions. Every anxiety disorder listed has a comprehensive list of possible solutions, not all of which I have tried. (I tend to head for the medication solution first…)