The Anxiety Answer Book

322 Pages·2005·1.2 MB·English

by  Laurie A. Helgoe

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Have you ever walked into a room and had an instant TTHHEE TTHHEE
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panic attack? Do social situations make you break
out in a cold sweat? Are you nervous and afraid more NN
often than not?
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If you answered in the affirmative to any of these questions,you may well be one of the
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19 million adult Americans who suffer from anxiety problems.The Anxiety Answer
Bookis an authoritative reference for you and your loved ones,providing sound advice TT
and immediate answers to your most pressing questions.
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Professional, Reassuring Answers to
The Anxiety Answer Book answers over 200 of your most
important questions including: Your Most Pressing Questions
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n Can some anxiety be healthy? n How do I deal with trauma-based
anxiety? nn
n How does a panic attack nWhat is a panic nWhat is the difference nWhat causes anxiety?
happen? n Can I get help without taking ss attack? between a fear and
nCan anxiety make
medication? ww a phobia?
n Why do I worry? nHow can I prevent me angry?
ee my anxiety from nCan a panic attack
nCan medication treat
causing me to hurt me?
rr anxiety?
Written in an easy-to-read question and answer format,The Anxiety Answer Bookhelps
overeat?
you cope with your anxiety,conquer your fear,and know when to seek treatment. BB
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Laurie A. Helgoe, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with
over 15 years of experience that includes psychological oo
assessment and diagnosis,psychotherapy,and consulta-
tion.Dr.Helgoe is also author of the Boomer’s Guide to kk
Dating (Again). She lives and practices in Charleston,
West Virginia.Visit Dr.Helgoe at www.wakingdesire.com.
Laura R. Wilhelm,PhD,is an Assistant Professor at the
Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at
West Virginia University School of Medicine,Charleston
Division.Dr.Wilhelm also serves as the Director of her
department’s Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Training
Program.She lives in Charleston,West Virginia.
Martin J. Kommor,MD,is Chair of the Department of
Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at West Virginia
University School of Medicine, Charleston Division, HELGOE,PhD
wtehacehrei nhge, hDasr. taKuogmhtm foorr aplmroovsitd 3e0s ypesayrcsh.oInth aedradpityio na ntdo WILHELM,PhD LAURIE A. HELGOE, PHD n LAURA R. WILHELM, PHD
medication consultation,conducts research,and is active KOMMOR,MD
in mental health and psychiatric associations.He lives in M J. K , MD
ARTIN OMMOR
Charleston,West Virginia.

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THE
AN X I ET Y
Answer Book
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THE
AN X I ET Y
Answer Book
L A. H , P D
AURIE ELGOE H
L R. W , P D
AURA ILHELM H
M J. K , MD
ARTIN OMMOR

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For Barron, Bjorn, and Josh, who keep me grounded and help
me soar.
—L.H.
To my family—my husband Ed,my parents Yvonne and Bob,and my
sister and brother-in-law Lisa and Weston. I love you all and feel so
blessed to have you in my life.Thank you for everything you have
given me.
—L.W.
To Ben Kommor,who instructs and inspires me in the tender art of
fatherhood.
—M.K.
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Acknowledgments
Many thanks to our editor,Bethany Brown,for her help,patience,
and dedication to quality.Gratitude always to Jacky Sach,my agent.
And thanks to my friends from The Writer’s Village—my lifeline
through the ups and downs of writing. Special thanks to my dear
friends, Beth, Mimi, and Cindy, and my sisters, Julie and Becca, for
just making life better.
—Laurie A.Helgoe
My deepest thanks are extended to the following individuals for
their excellent teaching, mentorship, and support: Robert Beck,
PhD, Thomas Ellis, PsyD, ABPP, Chris France, PhD, John Linton,
PhD,ABPP,and Holly Cloonan,PhD.I also feel very privileged and
grateful to have received training at the Albert Ellis Institute and the
Beck Institute—the education, staff, fellow trainees, and overall
experiences at each of these establishments were amazing.
Additional heartfelt thanks to Shannon Froese, PhD, Natalie
Shaheen, MD, Liz Moore, MA, Richard Granese, MD, and Esther
Stephenson—your friendship always means so much to me,but your
help with looking over book drafts was particularly appreciated!
—Laura R.Wilhelm
Many thanks to Laurie A. Helgoe, PhD, and Laura R. Wilhelm,
PhD.
—Martin J.Kommor
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Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 1: Anxiety Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2: What About Stress? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Chapter 3: Treating Anxiety with Psychotherapy . . . . . . . . . . 33
Chapter 4: Treating Anxiety with Medications . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Chapter 5: Worries About Worry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Chapter 6: Understanding Panic Attacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Chapter 7: Coping with Panic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Chapter 8: Understanding Phobias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Chapter 9: More on Specific Phobias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Chapter 10: More on Social Phobia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Chapter 11: Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder . . 165
Chapter 12: Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder . . . . . 187
Chapter 13: Understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder . . 199
Chapter 14: Common PTSD Reactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Chapter 15: Anxiety and Life Challenges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Chapter 16: Calming Your Anxiety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Appendix A: Self-help Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Appendix B: Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
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