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Panic Attacks
The bible for people who experience panic-attacks, this new edition, released in 2016, has been updated to include the latest research findings. ‘Panic Attacks became my bible. It explained how to face up to attacks and deal with them … I carried it around in my bag, left a copy in my desk draw at work, and dipped into a chapter before I went to sleep. Miraculously, it seemed to do the trick.’ SUNDAY TIMES, STYLE SECTION. This authoritative guide explains what panic attacks are, why they happen, and what every reader can do to empower themselves and regain control over their panic. Containing a helpfully broad range of topics Panic Attacks is consistently straightforward, informative and reassuring.
198 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 23, 2014
I never actually finished reading this, because by the time I was halfway through, I was actually getting better. I'm returning it to the library now because I think it may be useful for other people, and right now, I don't need it.
That said, I did find a lot of comfort from reading Ingham's assurances that you can get better, and will gladly add my voice to that. The prognosis for someone with panic attacks improves if you know from the start that you can get better, and I'm here to assure you that you can. As my counsellor pointed out, I may always be an anxious person, and that means I have to work a little harder, but it's possible. See also my Mental Health Awareness Month post for more about my personal journey.
The book itself is easy to read and encouraging, without minimising the fear you may feel if you have panic attacks. I had quite a few pages bookmarked in the half that I read. But really, like I already said, I think the most important thing was that it told me I could get better, when I wasn't hearing that from a lot of people. And it told me I wasn't alone.
That said, I did find a lot of comfort from reading Ingham's assurances that you can get better, and will gladly add my voice to that. The prognosis for someone with panic attacks improves if you know from the start that you can get better, and I'm here to assure you that you can. As my counsellor pointed out, I may always be an anxious person, and that means I have to work a little harder, but it's possible. See also my Mental Health Awareness Month post for more about my personal journey.
The book itself is easy to read and encouraging, without minimising the fear you may feel if you have panic attacks. I had quite a few pages bookmarked in the half that I read. But really, like I already said, I think the most important thing was that it told me I could get better, when I wasn't hearing that from a lot of people. And it told me I wasn't alone.
December 26, 2017
Leerzaam, praktisch en geruststellend. Alleen de tips wat betreft homeopathie hadden voor mij achterwege mogen blijven. Het zorgde ervoor dat ik het boek gelijk een stuk minder serieus nam.
July 13, 2015
From the perspective of someone dealing with a panic attack or three at the moment, I have to say - succinctly - that this book provides some interesting thoughts but didn't really win me over. I felt it had a fair amount of say, but didn't really hit the spot in making me feel any more comfortable about my own situation.
It does provide key reinforcement of the point that panic is a biological and natural thing. You're not dying. You're not going mad. You have adrenaline flooding your system due to primitive fight-or-flight protocols embedded in your brain. If you embrace it and go with the flow, it'll subside.
A thought is a thing - the book repeats, rather frequently. If you exert your authority, by asserting control with your own thinking on the matter, you can overcome the negatives of panic. Remind yourself that this will pass. Tell yourself that you're a strong and positive individual. Point out that panic is a natural response to stress, pressure or danger - and that you should embrace it rather than suffer.
I'm probably boiling it down into slightly the wrong turn of phrase, but that's the essence.
It considers seeking professional assistance, considering treatments and medication, developing coping mechanisms and sharing your problems with others. All good advice and useful enough.
Just not quite what I wanted - although, I'd be hard-pressed to tell you exactly why. I suppose everyone has their own experience and each of us has a feeling about what might work for them. I will consider the advice given here and see whether anything helps. Your own experience may vary - and I certainly would say this one is worth picking up.
It does provide key reinforcement of the point that panic is a biological and natural thing. You're not dying. You're not going mad. You have adrenaline flooding your system due to primitive fight-or-flight protocols embedded in your brain. If you embrace it and go with the flow, it'll subside.
A thought is a thing - the book repeats, rather frequently. If you exert your authority, by asserting control with your own thinking on the matter, you can overcome the negatives of panic. Remind yourself that this will pass. Tell yourself that you're a strong and positive individual. Point out that panic is a natural response to stress, pressure or danger - and that you should embrace it rather than suffer.
I'm probably boiling it down into slightly the wrong turn of phrase, but that's the essence.
It considers seeking professional assistance, considering treatments and medication, developing coping mechanisms and sharing your problems with others. All good advice and useful enough.
Just not quite what I wanted - although, I'd be hard-pressed to tell you exactly why. I suppose everyone has their own experience and each of us has a feeling about what might work for them. I will consider the advice given here and see whether anything helps. Your own experience may vary - and I certainly would say this one is worth picking up.
December 14, 2019
DNF.
Suffering from an anxiety disorder myself, I was really hoping to like this book. It just didn't happen. I strongly disliked the writing style and I felt like the author was talking down to me, which is THE WORST. Dealing with doctors who do that is terrible enough, and I do not need that sh*t from books as well.
I gave it 2 stars instead of just 1 because it contains a lot of useful facts about panic attacks (I just knew them beforehand, so it wasn't really helpful for me, but for someone who knows nothing about panic attacks, the information in this book is better than nothing)
Suffering from an anxiety disorder myself, I was really hoping to like this book. It just didn't happen. I strongly disliked the writing style and I felt like the author was talking down to me, which is THE WORST. Dealing with doctors who do that is terrible enough, and I do not need that sh*t from books as well.
I gave it 2 stars instead of just 1 because it contains a lot of useful facts about panic attacks (I just knew them beforehand, so it wasn't really helpful for me, but for someone who knows nothing about panic attacks, the information in this book is better than nothing)
February 16, 2018
This is a must read book, for anyone who suffers from any type of panic attack. Written by Christine Ingham, who used to suffer terribly with them herself, she understands, what it is to be gripped in terror with these attacks. that can come from nowhere. I now have it, with me all the time. Shame I can only give five stars, it deserves more!
July 2, 2018
Very informative book. Good information about panic attacks and what you can do about them. Would recommend.
February 3, 2021
I doing about the idea of carring an elastic band to feel pain and suffer any time you have a bad thought. Sounds even worse than a bad thought itself.
February 5, 2017
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would! It was comforting and resourceful.
March 31, 2014
I might not be the target audience for the book: I read it primarily because I wanted to know more about ways I could help someone close to me, and secondarily to see if I could learn anything to help me stay calm while driving.
I can't say how useful the information here is to put into practice to stop panic attacks, however for someone looking to help a friend or relative I would definitely recommend this book. It was excellent at explaining (with first hand experience) what panic attacks feel like and the options available for someone to overcome it. While there is a chapter at the end especially for friends and relatives I would suggest reading the whole book to get a much better overall view. I found this an easy read: well written in digestible chapters.
I can't say how useful the information here is to put into practice to stop panic attacks, however for someone looking to help a friend or relative I would definitely recommend this book. It was excellent at explaining (with first hand experience) what panic attacks feel like and the options available for someone to overcome it. While there is a chapter at the end especially for friends and relatives I would suggest reading the whole book to get a much better overall view. I found this an easy read: well written in digestible chapters.
April 30, 2013
Although I did find this helpful in some ways, it just didn't live up to my expectations.
I was religiously taking notes on this whenever I found something that related to me or that I would use in the future - I might have filled half a notebook.
This is a good self-help book in many ways!
I was religiously taking notes on this whenever I found something that related to me or that I would use in the future - I might have filled half a notebook.
This is a good self-help book in many ways!
January 25, 2008
Excellent overview and explanation of panic attacks - what they are, what might cause them, and how to deal with them. Reassuring and full of useful advice.
June 2, 2012
Really great book on panic attacks. Highly recommended to everyone who suffer from them or has a loved one that does.
December 9, 2011
I found this book to be very helpful! Easy to understand and implement into day to day life.
February 28, 2022
A positive, delicate and actually helpful book for anxiety sufferers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews