Healing Fear

by Edmund J. Bourne and Ph.D. Bourne, Edmund

Book Overview

Edmund Bourne shares, from his own thirty year battle with chronic anxiety disorder, how he simplified his life and made an absolute commitment to healing. Since then he has experienced a deep... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1572241160
• ISBN13: 9781572241169
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.1" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 -- The Author's Own StoryChapter 2 -- Restoring Lost Connections (family, community, nature, self, God)Chapter 3 -- Simplifying Your Life (reducing stress, doing what you want for a living, reducing exposure to television, increasing exposure to nature, delegating, learning to say "No")Chapter 4 -- Caring for Your Body (relaxation, abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, pacing and downtime, exercise programs, overcoming excuses for not exercising, energy balance)Chapter 5 -- Caring for Your Body (improving your nutrition, minimizing caffeine, reducing sugar, identifying allergic foods, reducing saturated fats, eating whole and unprocessed foods, organic foods, vegetables, fiber, daily fluid intake, protein-to-carbohydrate ratio, vitamins, amino acids, tryptophan, GABA, DLPA, herbs, glandulars, hormones, detoxification, fasting)Chapter 6 -- Tools that Work: Help for Overcoming Panic and Phobias (The truth about panic attacks: [1] Panic attacks are unpleasant but not dangerous [2] A panic attack cannot cause heart failure or cardiac arrest [3] A panic attack will not cause you to stop breathing or suffocate [4] A panic attack cannot cause you to faint [5] A panic attack cannot cause you to lose your balance [6] You won't fall when you feel "weak in the knees" during a panic attack [7] You cannot "go crazy" during a panic attack [8] A panic attack cannot cause you to "lose control of yourself" [9] Don't fight panic. Coping strategies for managing panic: [1] Use the anxiety scale [2] Abdominal breathing [3] Coping statements [4] Other diversion techniques [5] Revising catastrophic thoughts that contribute to panic. Examples of how to change self-talk: [1] Fear of driving on a freeway [2] Fear of flying [3] Fear of contracting a serious illness. How to face what you fear: [1] Taking manageable steps [2] Relying upon a support person [3] Coping strategies [4] Avoid flooding [5] Practicing exposure to phobia 3 to 5 times each week [6] Maintaining the right attitude)Chapter 7 -- Medication (Serotonin, tryptophan, St. John's wart, exercise, exposure to light. Types: SSRIs, benzodiazepines, cyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitor antidepressants, beta-blockers, buspar. Should I take medication? For how long? When should I discontinue it?)Chapter 8 -- Addressing Personality Issues (Fear of abandonment or isolation, fear of rejection or embarrassment, fear of losing control, fear of death or injury, fear of confinement)Chapter 9 -- Developing Your Observing Self (Meditation)Chapter 10 -- Finding Your Unique PurposeChapter 11 -- Enlarging Your View of Life (How spirituality can help overcome anxiety, your concept of God, deepening your relationship with God, viewing adversity and difficulties from a spiritual perspective)Chapter 12 -- Letting Go (relaxation, humor, patience, creativity, doing for others, overcoming perfectionism, relying upon others, tolerating uncertainty, faith)Chapter 13 -- Affirming Your RecoveryChapter 14 -- Learning

A complete and lasting recovery from Anxiety in one book

Although the title of my review may sound a little cliche and gaudy it is actually not far from the truth. Having read the excellent Anxiety and Phobia Workbooks and gaining immense insight from them, I was eager to read one more book from Edmund Bourne. This book is an excellent read/resource for a number of reasons. Bourne, himself has suffered from anxiety for over 30 years and in the first part of the book he shares his struggles with the reader which gives us a sense of connection with him. Healing Fear does have some similarities to his previous books but it has evolved and expanded. Bourne now believes that there are far more circumstances when medication may be appropriate and even necessary. Also, there is a section on herbs which are relatively new to western civilization in the treatmentment of anxiety. Something else that is different about this book is the second section which has some definite ties to spirituality. Developing Your Observing Self is one of the most powerful and meaningful chapters that I have ever read in any book. Additionally, the numerous forms of relaxation are discussed as well as finding meaning in life. There are undoubtable ties between these subjects and lasting recovery from anxiety. True recovery ofter requires a shift in the way we look at things and the pace at which we live our lives. Incorporating a certain amount of relaxation and thought calming in our everyday lives is in many cases very necessary to our complete and full recovery from anxiety. In the last chapter there is a list of things to do everyday to avoid an accumulation of stress and there is a complete appendix to the book filled with suggested readings that are inspiring. Healing Fear does just what the title says it does and you will not be disappointed with your purchase.

Empathy at its best

Bourne attains one of the biggest challenges for a therapist - to be able to put himself in his client's (anxiety sufferer's) shoes. This wholelistic book traces causes for anxiety from your way of living, diet, how you experience or think about yourself, etc. The climax of the book takes you on a road of finding meaning, purpose and a deep relationship with your higher power. Very comprehensive and "wise." God send!

The best book I have ever read about shyness

This book has been one of the most influental books I have ever read, and is easily the best book on shyness I have ever read. The author gave me many good ideas to reduce my stress/anxiety in social situations, and also helped me to better understand the sources of my anxiety and shyness. I still sometimes go back and reread portions of the book. A huge thank you to Dr. Bourne for giving me a way to change my life for the better.

This book changed my life.

Never in my life have I appreciated something as much as this book - it is almost like my bible. I was recently diagnosed with an exhausting and terrifying anxiety disorder. Just when I thought there was no other way to go on, I found the piece of mind and the words that I needed to start my journey toward recovering. Edmund Bourne offers words of inspiration like I've never known and not only offers ways to combat anxiety, but ways to make your life more peaceful and healthy. He is also kind enough to share his own battle with anxiety in this book, which makes his words and advice all the more meaningful. Another great part of his book is that he offers a number in the back for anyone who is suffering to call, and he will personally call you to assist any questions you may have and counsel you with his warm words. I found this service and his book to be the key factors in helping me find the strength to face my battle - he has pulled me from my dark hole and has made me feel understood and no longer alone with my pain. This book offers everything you need to know and more about how to overcome anxiety and create a wonderful and fulfilling life for yourself. Through his amazing guidance, I feel like there is hope again. I reccommend this book to anyone - even if you don't have a diagnosed anxiety disorder. It provides valuable tools not only for healing, but for creating an uplifting and meaningful life.