Looking for an Exit

by Lisa Tucker

Your heart is pounding. You feel as if you can't breathe. A strange uneasiness takes over, and your body rages with fear. Your mind is engulfed with one overwhelming I must be dying. If those words strike a chord with you, you might be suffering from panic attacks. If you've began avoiding any place or situation because you feel these sensations, you may have agoraphobia. It's important to know that you are not alone. Author Lisa Tucker invites you to take a glimpse inside the walls that held her captive for a life of panic attacks that led to agoraphobia. Terror paralyzed her. When her grandmother was hospitalized, Lisa was unable to go upstairs to the hospital room. When her friends asked her to go with them to the mall, it couldn't be too crowded, and Lisa had to know where all the exits were. When her daughter's school had activities, Lisa held on to the hope that they would be outside. Many told her to 'get a grip.' Many, including Lisa, didn't understand what was going on with the debilitating panic. It destroyed relationships, ended her career, and kept her on the outskirts of everythinguntil she found power over the panic. While struggling with this gripping fear, she desperately searched for answers that would bring freedom from her self-made cellsometimes even meeting with a counselor outside in the freezing winter to avoid a panic attack. Looking for an From Panic to Empowerment sheds light on her experiences and reveals that peace is truly on the other side of the panic.

112 pages, Perfect Paperback

First published August 16, 2011

About the author

Lisa Tucker is the author of six novels: The Winters in Bloom, coming this September; The Song Reader, Shout Down the Moon, Once Upon a Day, The Cure for Modern Life, and The Promised World.

Her books have been published in twelve countries and selected for Borders Original Voices, Book of the Month Club, the Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club, People magazine Critic’s Choice, Redbook Book Club, Amazon Book of the Year, Barnes & Noble Reading Group program, Target “Breakout” Books, Books A Million Fiction Club, the American Library Association Popular Paperbacks, the Indie Next list and the Book Sense Reading Group Suggestions.

She grew up in Missouri, and has lived in Philadelphia and Santa Fe, NM. She has graduate degrees in both English and math. She has taught creative writing at the Taos Writers' Conference and UCLA.

She's also a mom who says "raising my son has been the best part of my life".

Reviews

[Emily Bellemonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for an Exit is a raw and honest look at agoraphobia. I deeply related to the author’s journey and felt a renewed sense of hope. It reminded me that healing is possible.

[Seth Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful for anyone who suffers from panic attacks and agoraphobics or for anyone who loves a good tale about romance, love, and overcoming hardships. This book is a great aid for those dealing with panic attacks and agoraphobia as Lisa tells of her struggle with these conditions and how she has made progress to live a fuller life while overcoming these issues. At the heart of the story though is Lisa's relationship with her husband, Brad. Please pick up this book and give it a good read whether you suffer from panic attacks or not this story is one of the most beautiful tales I've ever read.