This great book chronicled a life of pain, renewal and hope. I too, have suffered with panic disorder my entire life. It was so nice to find a book that didn't promise you ten easy cures because I have never found them. I have learned to live my life with medication that according to my doctor, I will take forever. I am a high powered career woman, wife, mother and live a good life. It is through books like this, we see that we are not alone, we are valuable human beings with a condition not unlike diabetes or high blood pressure. Kudos to you, Evelyn!
Jack and the Panic Monster
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
At what point does our life transition from "normal" to "impaired" and how can we take an active part in healing? Author Evelyn Barkley Stewart has approached Neal Cassidy in her ability to put herself into print and make it perfectly believable. The sudden overwhelming changes that occur in our lives follow the rule that "our biography becomes our biology". For anyone suffering from the debilitating problems of panic disorder this book is a must read. It is important to find the beautiful person that exists at the center of what appears to be a dysfunctional life. The emotional fabric of our body, that dictates our existence, has many rips that can easily become a rent in the garment. Returning to a functional "normal" life is possible if one listens to this author and actually knows her sincerity. I have experienced her wisdom and can say that I look forward to each new day with the memories of my less than perfect past.
A Great Comfort!!!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
I could not put this book down! Like the reviewer before me, I read it cover to cover in one sitting. I have struggled with this disorder for many years and found it a great comfort to read a story so similar to mine. This is a disorder which is very isolating and misunderstood. There are parts of this book which I felt I could have written. Thank you Ms. Stewart for your honesty and courage!
The monster has gone on vacation!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
This book is a wonderful resource for everyone. I have been dealing with panic disorder for 10 years. This book is what finally helped me learn to deal with it. Ms.Stewart explains things in great detail which is easy to identify in yourself, your own problems. I have used several techniques in her book and read it several times. My whole family has read this book and now understand panic disorder better. I could not find anything in this book that I disliked or didn't agree with. I highly recommend this book to anyone with panic disorder or to anyone who knows someone with panic disorder.
An amazing tale of a life-and-death struggle with terror.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 28 years ago
This book is about death, being scared to death by uncontrollable panic. It happens, though, that Ms. Stewart's fears and resulting panic attacks were of a curious, ineffable sort. They make little sense to those uninitiated to panic disorder. What should cause panic, a helicopter ride, bungee jumping, losing a job, or being followed? Ms. Stewart's attacks were triggered by shopping, walking around a track, or just driving a car. Surprisingly, panic attacks don't result from real trouble, or as James Russell Lowell said, "The misfortunes hardest to bear are these which never came." Like investors who buy on rumor and sell on news, Ms. Stewart "used to worry that I had Hodgkin's Disease until the cure rate went over 80%." I couldn't put this book down. It's authentic. It's irreverent. I read it from cover to UPC code in one sitting. Evelyn Stewart's story. Prognosis: "What do you wear to a meeting with your own dark side? I could not go to work, could not even finish dressing. I was crazy. I had lost the ability to accessorize. I would have to go on disability. I would wear stripes and plaids together and not care. It was the beginning of the end." Hospital: "She took me to a small room with an examining table where I could lie down and panic in private." Treatment:"The ENT...offered me the opportunity of taking a test which consisted of pouring water in my ears at intervals to measure what? Endurance? Stupidity?" Cure:Beside the bed I have a shotgun loaded with Valium>" Announcement:"Ralph was graduated from his small-engine repair home study course, and Evelyn can almost walk to the mailbox alone now." <p> In truth, she eventually finds a caring professional and emerges not healed but healing, scarred but animated. Her recovery, poignant and revitalizing, is made more powerful by her relentless determination to enter the dark and exit alive. Jawaharial Nehru said, "Logic and cold reason are poor weapons to fight fear and distrust. Only faith and generosity can overcome them." Faith and generosity gives the tormented writer of this remarkable book, from whom paralyzing fear has yielded and"...grown so free from care since my heart broke," the chance to live again.
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $20. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.