Books on Anxiety
Babior, Shirley, LCSW, MFCC, Goldman, Carol, LICSW, Overcoming Panic, Anxiety
& Phobias, New Strategies to Free Yourself from Worry and Fear (Whole Person
Associates, Duluth, MN) 1996
Babior and Goldman use a cognitive approach in dealing with anxiety and panic attacks.
They encourage positive self-talk and facing one’s fear. They believe that all anxiety
disorders involve negative and worrisome thoughts. The coping skills discussed in the
book apply to general stress management as well as dealing with anxiety disorders. The
authors have outlined a very practical self-help program, one that gives readers hope for
recovery.
Beckfield, Denise F., Ph.D., Master Your Panic and Take Back Your Life, 2nd Edition
(Impact Publisher) 1998
This book is divided up into twelve treatment sessions, and gives practical “on the spot”
tips on how to get through a panic attack. It has an excellent chapter on the roots of
panic: what causes panic disorder, and what makes one vulnerable to panic. The author
explains how emotional factors play an important role in anxiety disorders. Success
stories of Dr. Beckfield’s clients will be reassuring to readers.
Bemis, Judith & Barrada, Amr, Ph.D., Embracing the Fear, Learning to Manage
Anxiety and Panic Attacks (Hazelden Publications) 1994
‘Embracing the Fear’ offers 14 different strategies, with corresponding self-talk, for
dealing with anxiety and panic attacks. The program is based on the premise of
“acceptance.” The various anxiety disorders are explained; their cause and treatment.
There are personal stories of people using these coping skills for dealing with their
anxiety/ panic symptoms. The book is made up of short chapters that can be read in any
order. The format lends itself well for use at support groups. The authors have a history
of panic disorder.
Bemis, Judith, The Power of Acceptance, Finding Peace from Anxiety and Panic
Attacks (Lightning Source) 2008
‘The Power of Acceptance’ is a sequel to ‘Embracing the Fear.’ The book is written in
question/answer format, answering questions that have come up since the first book was
published. There is more emphasis on the causes or triggers of anxiety and panic attacks
than the previous book. Written from a personal perspective, ‘The Power of Acceptance’
gives hope to its readers. A chapter is included for the family or support person on how
to help those trying to cope with chronic anxiety or panic attacks. This is an easy read.
Bourne, Edmund, Ph.D., Garano, Lorna, Coping With Anxiety, 10 Simple Ways to
Relieve Anxiety, Fear & Worry (New Harbinger) 2003
This book addresses the ‘maintaining’ causes of anxiety: current behavior, attitudes and
lifestyle that keep anxiety going once it has developed. Its goal is to help readers deal
with recent, as well as long-term, stresses. It includes exercises in progressive muscle
relaxation, abdominal breathing, guided visualization, and meditation. Exercise and
nutrition are also discussed. The book includes a list of helpful resources.
Brantley, Jeffrey, M.D., Calming Your Anxious Mind, How Mindfulness and
Compassion Can Free You from Anxiety, Fear, & Panic, 2nd Edition (New Harbinger)
2007
The approach offered in this book is based on mindfulness, a non-judging, presentmoment awareness. Readers will learn about the connection between mind and body, and
the role of thoughts and emotions in both health and illness. Dr. Brantley points out how
the body’s fear system functions and malfunctions to produce anxiety and panic. He
discusses meditation and its benefits, especially related to anxiety and worry. A large
part of this book is devoted to the instruction and practice of mindfulness.
Emmons, Henry, M.D., The Chemistry of Calm, (Simon & Shuster) 2010
The author sees mind, body and spirit as a unified whole. Through his Resilience
Training Program we learn how to protect our body from the corrosive effects of stress,
and the mind from inadvertent harmful thinking. This program is designed to relieve
anxiety and restore physical and mental strength. It is an excellent resource on self-care.
Mindfulness meditation techniques, to calm the body and mind, are discussed. Henry
Emmons is a psychiatrist in the Twin Cities area.
Freeman, Lynn, Ph.D., Panic Free (Barclay House, New York, N.Y.) 1995
‘Panic Free’ focuses on how to deal with anxiety and panic attacks, rather than on their
cause. There is an excellent chapter on depression. The book also discusses alternative
approaches in treating an anxiety problem, such as acupuncture, meditation, and
biofeedback. The author has a history of panic attacks.
Lark, Susan M., M.D., Anxiety & Stress, A Self-Help Book (Celestial Arts) 1996
McCullough, Christopher, Ph.D. & Mann, Robert Woods, Managing Your Anxiety,
Regaining Control When You’re Stressed, Helpless, and Alone (The Putnam Publishing
Group) 1985
Christopher McCullough offers a practical program for treating anxiety on any level. His
book gives insight into how anxiety is both a psychological and physiological process.
One of the main features is a comprehensive self-care program. The book also has an
excellent chapter on “Growing up Anxious.” The author clearly explains some of the
major ways phobias develop. Many case histories are shared.
Orsillo, Susan M., Ph.D., & Roemer, Lizabeth, Ph.D., The Mindful Way Through
Anxiety: Break Free from Chronic Worry and Reclaim Your Life (New York: Guilford
Press) 2011
This book introduces the foundational skills of mindfulness, and describes mindfulness
practices specifically tailored for anxiety. The material in this book is drawn from an
acceptance-based behavioral treatment program for people with generalized anxiety and
worry as well as panic, social fears, and depression. The book includes a long list of
resources.
Rabins, Peter V., M.D. & Lauber Lynn, Getting Old Without Getting Anxious (Avery
Publishers) 2006
The author is a geriatric psychiatrist. He gives comprehensive, easy to understand,
information on the various anxiety disorders: their cause and treatment. He discusses
common medications for anxiety and depression. This book is specifically written for
older adults. It includes a list of helpful resources.
Ross, Jerilyn, Triumph Over Fear, Help & Hope for People with Anxiety, Panic Attacks
& Phobias (Bantam Books) 1994
Author, Jerilyn Ross, former president of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America,
not only shares her own story with panic disorder, but those of some of her clients. These
testimonials are bound to give inspiration and hope to readers. She introduces her stepby-step treatment plan. Many resources are listed: books, CDs, organizations and
helplines, as well as treatment centers across the United States.
Watts, Margo Ph.D., & Stewart, Sherry Ph.D., Overcoming the Fear of Fear: How to
Reduce Anxiety Sensitivity (New Harbinger) 2008
This book introduces its readers to the concept of anxiety sensitivity and its risk factor for
developing anxiety and related disorders. It covers techniques involving thinking patterns
and behaviors that can reduce the tendency to respond anxiously to fearful situations.
There is a chapter on lifestyle change to better manage anxiety sensitivity. The book also
discusses substance-abuse disorder. There are frequent references to statistics, which
gives this book a textbook quality.
Weekes, Claire, M.D., Hope and Help for Your Nerves (Signet) 1969
Weekes, Claire, M.D., Peace from Nervous Suffering (Signet) 1972
These books are classics. Dr. Weekes was a fore-runner in treating anxiety and panic
attacks with the idea of accepting, rather than struggling with anxiety/panic symptoms.
Her program is built around four simple steps: Face-do not run, Accept-do not fight,
Float past-do not listen in, Let time pass-do not be impatient with time. The author
discusses many case studies, and writes with great compassion and understanding.
Wilson, R. Reid, Ph.D., Don’t Panic, Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks, 3rd Edition
(Harper) 2009
The main focus of this book is on panic attacks: what causes them and how they can
affect one’s life. It discusses panic attacks within each of the anxiety disorders: panic
disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific
phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Depression
and alcoholism are also discussed. Dr. Wilson offers many helpful step-by-step strategies
for dealing with panic, and shares numerous client experiences.
Books Reviewed for NAMI Minnesota by
Judith Bemis, September 2011