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At Last A Life
The complete and natural cure for anxiety and panic issues.
At Last a Life is my own experince and recovery through anxiety, panic and depersonalisation. One of my main aims in writing this book was to make it as easy as possible to read and understand; to get my message across from a sufferer's point of view and dilute all the jargon that you may have found hard to understand in the past.
I also felt strongly that I had something else to say than had been churned out before, mainly by people who had never actually been through it. Every common symptom is explained in the book, not just the anxiety, but also, the feelings of unreality, the racing thoughts, feelings of dread, lack of confidence, depression, the constant worry cycle and many more symptoms that I have come across over the years.
The book has had huge success around the world and is often referred to patients by doctors and therapists alike.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: My Story
Chapter 2: So what are these feelings I feel?
Chapter 3: The breakthrough
Chapter 4: Understanding Anxiety
Chapter 5: Give Up the Fight
Chapter 6: Panic attacks explained
Chapter 7: Understanding Feelings of unreality
Chapter 8: Scary Irrational Thoughts
Chapter 9: Other symptoms explained
Chapter 10: We Need One Route
Chapter 11: Born to Worry
Chapter 12: Some Final Points
Chapter 13: Coming through Depersonalisation
Chapter 14: Frequently asked questions
Chapter 15: Summary
At Last a Life is my own experince and recovery through anxiety, panic and depersonalisation. One of my main aims in writing this book was to make it as easy as possible to read and understand; to get my message across from a sufferer's point of view and dilute all the jargon that you may have found hard to understand in the past.
I also felt strongly that I had something else to say than had been churned out before, mainly by people who had never actually been through it. Every common symptom is explained in the book, not just the anxiety, but also, the feelings of unreality, the racing thoughts, feelings of dread, lack of confidence, depression, the constant worry cycle and many more symptoms that I have come across over the years.
The book has had huge success around the world and is often referred to patients by doctors and therapists alike.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: My Story
Chapter 2: So what are these feelings I feel?
Chapter 3: The breakthrough
Chapter 4: Understanding Anxiety
Chapter 5: Give Up the Fight
Chapter 6: Panic attacks explained
Chapter 7: Understanding Feelings of unreality
Chapter 8: Scary Irrational Thoughts
Chapter 9: Other symptoms explained
Chapter 10: We Need One Route
Chapter 11: Born to Worry
Chapter 12: Some Final Points
Chapter 13: Coming through Depersonalisation
Chapter 14: Frequently asked questions
Chapter 15: Summary
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
386 people are currently reading
3100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
October 20, 2013
Im writing this review and im a little anxious but for the first time i know its ok, its ok to have anxiety and im fine with that. This took me about 2 weeks before i finished this book because i wanted to test this authors theories. He was right! For the first time in a long time, i just accepted it and didnt fight the anxious thoughts anymore, i felt a little lost at the start because im always constantly fighting with myself to get rid of this anxiety, but as soon as i changed my thoughts and attitude, i felt like my mind wasnt tired and clogged anymore, my mind felt free and at peace. Im defintely not saying im cured, which is something this author always tells you, your not going to be cured over night, but this book has helped me out alot! I even went out to the shopping centre and i havent done that in about 6 months, it wasnt easy for me to do but taking this authors advice really helped me get there! I wont be reading any other self help anxiety books because this worked for me. This author knows what he is talking about and i will be recommending this to everyone because i believe it works and i am proof! Im not cured but i know i will get there in time, no matter how long it takes!
January 2, 2013
Teaches the Law of Detachment but specific to those that suffer from anxiety and/or panic attacks. I thought it was a well written book and covered all the basis.
It also helped me stay afloat during tough times.
The book will teach you how to detach from your anxious feelings and heal.
And I was happy to note I was doing many of the principles that were mentioned in this book already.
But it is Not a get quick cure. And people may shun the methods listed because its not an overnight cure. And you have to rely on inner strength. But the methods work.
And keeps one off the awful head meds.
It also helped me stay afloat during tough times.
The book will teach you how to detach from your anxious feelings and heal.
And I was happy to note I was doing many of the principles that were mentioned in this book already.
But it is Not a get quick cure. And people may shun the methods listed because its not an overnight cure. And you have to rely on inner strength. But the methods work.
And keeps one off the awful head meds.
January 20, 2022
Libro per chi soffre di ansia e con cui apprentemente centinaia di persone ne sono uscite. Per cui, eccomi.
Il punto di vista del libro è molto interessante, e in buona sostanza ci dice di non combattere, non resistere l’ansia. Ma lasciare che passi considerandola come una sorta di febbre. E ripeto, molto interessante come approccio.
Pero’ è tutto campato per aria, e nonostante le premesse siano ottime, l’autore non essendo un medico pare un po’ un mezzo santone che siccome e’ guarito allora tutt’apposto. Non metto in dubbio che della gente sia realmente guarita con sto libro eh, dico solo che la gente con l’ansia ha molte dubbi e domande, e faccio fatica a farmi bastare quello che sta scritto qui dentro.
Poi l’editing sembra l’abbia fatto un cane, vi prego.
Il punto di vista del libro è molto interessante, e in buona sostanza ci dice di non combattere, non resistere l’ansia. Ma lasciare che passi considerandola come una sorta di febbre. E ripeto, molto interessante come approccio.
Pero’ è tutto campato per aria, e nonostante le premesse siano ottime, l’autore non essendo un medico pare un po’ un mezzo santone che siccome e’ guarito allora tutt’apposto. Non metto in dubbio che della gente sia realmente guarita con sto libro eh, dico solo che la gente con l’ansia ha molte dubbi e domande, e faccio fatica a farmi bastare quello che sta scritto qui dentro.
Poi l’editing sembra l’abbia fatto un cane, vi prego.
April 5, 2021
"The best way to keep control is actually to release it."
This book is the light at the end of the tunnel for people who are going through months and years of anxiety with no hope of recovery. Paul will help you relax and just live your life and see your anxiety fade. As the book says it doesn't want to give you an over-night cure for anxiety so I suggest reading a book in small proportion. Read a chapter and take it in. Then go to the next chapter.
Don't try to finish it quickly.
Thank you Paul David
This book is the light at the end of the tunnel for people who are going through months and years of anxiety with no hope of recovery. Paul will help you relax and just live your life and see your anxiety fade. As the book says it doesn't want to give you an over-night cure for anxiety so I suggest reading a book in small proportion. Read a chapter and take it in. Then go to the next chapter.
Don't try to finish it quickly.
Thank you Paul David
October 6, 2022
To be honest I’ve only read a few chapters of this book so I will have to finish it to learn more…. However so far what I have read is terrible. I don’t care about the writing or the grammar but I certainly do care that this person is advocating people do absolutely nothing about their anxiety and is trying to claim there is “nothing you can do to get rid of this feeling” I have suffered from anxiety all my life among other mental illnesses, and I can definitely say there are MANY things you can do to support your anxiety, a regular yoga and meditation practice being one of them, however people try those things once and when it doesn’t work give up, it would have to be a continuous thing. But regardless telling people to sit back and not worry about their anxiety creates a huge assumption. This author is assuming that everybody who has anxiety worries about their anxiety. I know I have anxiety, I know all of my symptoms are from anxiety. I don’t worry about my anxiety but I do know from experience that by sitting back and doing absolutely nothing about anxiety all I feel is anxious. And years and years of doing nothing led to years and years of anxiety. I can appreciate that many people may try stuff and nothing ever works and then therefore this book may help them, but I think he’s skimming over a huge part of recovery: that being that if you want to feel different sometimes you have to make something different. But again I suppose some people have tried everything so maybe it is a time to try nothing but he’s making out like it is everybody’s experience. I also hated the analogy of a broken leg - “if your leg is broken you don’t worry about it you leave it to let it heal”. Well actually the only reason you leave a broken leg to heal and not worry is because you go to the hospital in the FIRST place to get a cast in place so that you can heal. You don’t just wander around with a bone poking out. You know there’s no need to do anything because the doctor has done what needs to be done. I’d of preferred it if he had said “do your daily practices to manage your anxiety but eventually surrender to how you feel if you are still anxious as you can relax knowing you are doing everything you can”.
March 7, 2014
After living with anxiety since I was 7 years old I have read many many self help books to look for tips to overcome anxiety and nothing helped. I found many of the books written were written by 'experts' psychologists, lecturers etc etc.. and no-one had actually been there that had real solid results.
Paul David's book 'At Last A Life' is by far the best book on anxiety I have ever read and it works. He writes in a down to earth way, expresses a lot of knowledge about what anxiety is, what a panic attack is, what happens in the body and also shares his and other peoples experiences of things like depersonalisation one thing common to anxiety sufferers. He takes you through the simple way to recovery, the opposite of what many anxiety 'experts' say do and this is why it works.
He has helped a lot of people and also has overcome anxiety himself. This book not only gave me hope but I know now, I can be free of anxiety and it will not be a 'forever' thing I just have to put up with.
Thank you Paul for writing this book!
Paul David's book 'At Last A Life' is by far the best book on anxiety I have ever read and it works. He writes in a down to earth way, expresses a lot of knowledge about what anxiety is, what a panic attack is, what happens in the body and also shares his and other peoples experiences of things like depersonalisation one thing common to anxiety sufferers. He takes you through the simple way to recovery, the opposite of what many anxiety 'experts' say do and this is why it works.
He has helped a lot of people and also has overcome anxiety himself. This book not only gave me hope but I know now, I can be free of anxiety and it will not be a 'forever' thing I just have to put up with.
Thank you Paul for writing this book!
April 10, 2017
Best advice ever given about anxiety
This book was the agent that finally put me on the right path to recovery.
I would recommend it to anyone who has been sucked into that black hole of anxiety!
This book was the agent that finally put me on the right path to recovery.
I would recommend it to anyone who has been sucked into that black hole of anxiety!
March 24, 2020
Truly one of the worst books I've ever read. It's absolutely incredible how shamelessly repetitive, full of fluff, and poorly written this book is. This is the second book I've read recently that contains a layperson's account of his experiences and insights regarding anxiety, and this one was just as terrible. I only have two data points, but still I am getting closer to the elitist conclusion that I should never read another lay book about experience with mental health and should only opt for books written by academics, practitioners, or at least professional writers.
December 19, 2025
a very eye opening book on anxiety, that’s really helped me! however it was very repetitive and lots of statements were repeated.
August 14, 2013
The only reason I'm giving this book four stars is because of frequent grammar and spelling mistakes, but nothing that some editing work can't fix. When it comes to the topic in itself, this book must be read in order to recover. Written by an anxiety sufferer, David tells you a little bit of his experience with the hell that can be anxiety disorders and how he managed to find, little by little, and with no effort at all (my favorite part!) peace, not just with his condition, but with life as a whole.
This book has shaped my life around after so many months of suffering and desperately looking for solutions. Very very highly recommended for anyone with any form of anxiety or even people who just worry a lot. Apply what Paul tells you, be persistent, and you will see results, and this is coming from somebody who doesn't like self-help books. This guy isn't trying to sell you something, he is just offering the way out and that is, ironically, by just stopping to "try" to find a way out.
This book has shaped my life around after so many months of suffering and desperately looking for solutions. Very very highly recommended for anyone with any form of anxiety or even people who just worry a lot. Apply what Paul tells you, be persistent, and you will see results, and this is coming from somebody who doesn't like self-help books. This guy isn't trying to sell you something, he is just offering the way out and that is, ironically, by just stopping to "try" to find a way out.
July 10, 2014
I've been dealing with depersonalization for about a month now and after reading this book, I had one good day of doing what I wanted regardless of how badly I felt. Two days later, I think I'm experiencing my first set-back because I feel horrible. I can't emphasize this enough! I look at myself in my head and I'm like, "who are you?" "How can you actually feel this bad?" And then you try not to worry, because that feeds it and then you can't focus on anything else! Yuck! I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy- with the exception of Hitler. I think it's a good thing-though, it doesn't feel good! I guess I just have to keep going right?
Thanks, Paul.
(If anyone else wants to share symptoms of their own or input their own advice such as how I'm feeling, because I can still freak myself out, I'd love to hear it.)
Thanks, Paul.
(If anyone else wants to share symptoms of their own or input their own advice such as how I'm feeling, because I can still freak myself out, I'd love to hear it.)
October 25, 2015
This book helped me get through a period in my life when I was having serious panic attacks and anxiety. It informed me on all things anxiety, from the science to the mental aspects, and helped me work on what I could. What I learned was massive lifestyle change is needed. There is still the occasional spurt of anxiety, but having dramatically changed my surroundings, I'm no where near where I was when I read this book. Everything passes, and David's book is a great asset to mental health and anyone who suffers from anxiety or basic stress. Great book.
August 25, 2020
Although the topic of anxiety is interesting, and the writer has a lot of experience in this field, the book was not well-written. Dull at times (filled with emails and positive feedback from people that he helped cure their anxiety), the book did not focus thoroughly on what it should have. The golden rule of the book is: Anxiety of having anxiety creates more anxiety. So stop that, you.
November 4, 2025
I'm not the kind of person to pick up self-help books, so it should say something that I picked up this one. My anxiety has skyrocketed recently, and no psychologist or doctor could tell me what the heck was wrong with me. Turns out; literally nothing is wrong with me. It's just energy releases I mislabeled as something I needed to fix. I recommend this book if you have lived alongside anxiety, intrusive thoughts, DP, etc. for a long while, or even a short while, to understand where it comes from so you can allow it to exist, recover and take back your life. I can't wait to start implementing not giving a fuck about what I feel daily and just exist xx
April 4, 2015
Terribly written for the most part, but extremely good. Read about it in the comments of an article I read yesterday that is also terribly written, but the content of both together have set me on a new path. Whatever, anxiety! Do your worst.
November 3, 2020
After reading Caire Weekes' "Hope and Help for Your Nerves" I decided to read this one as well which was a book writen from the viewpoint of a patient. The books didn't have a lot of differences regarding the meaning, but the approach was obviously not the same.
Paul David's vocabulary is very simple, like the one everybody uses in their everyday lives. It was actually really pleasant to read something like that, since I felt like it was a conversation (or a monologue) between two friends, so it was very easy to understand things and think about them a lot afterwards.
He does not exaggerate in any way and doesn't reject professional help. It's just his experience and how he achieved to overcome his own psychological difficulties. I will definetely read "At Last a Life and Beyond" sometime in the future!
Paul David's vocabulary is very simple, like the one everybody uses in their everyday lives. It was actually really pleasant to read something like that, since I felt like it was a conversation (or a monologue) between two friends, so it was very easy to understand things and think about them a lot afterwards.
He does not exaggerate in any way and doesn't reject professional help. It's just his experience and how he achieved to overcome his own psychological difficulties. I will definetely read "At Last a Life and Beyond" sometime in the future!
May 14, 2023
I really connected with the message in this book and the message turned the way I think about anxiety on its head. There’s no magic pill and the author does a good job of making the reader look inward and to encourage personal accountability. There’s definitely a lot of tough love in this book and I appreciated that. I will come back to this book often as I continue to change my mindset, live with my emotions and not fight them, and overcome anxiety.
October 1, 2020
This book is a helpful read for understanding and recovering from anxiety. The advice given is not a quick fix but shows a path to recovery. I found the content useful, easy to read, and effective- even though repetitive. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a way out from overthinking, worrying and anxiety.
December 1, 2025
Life changing book si tienes ataques de panico.
August 1, 2020
It took a lot of efforts to complete this book. The title is very appealing. But, the pages are filled with emails and testimonials. Many times the author mentions receiving certain feedback from people who read the book. I am not sure which edition I read. I think if it is properly edited, it won’t be more than quarter of the current pages.
February 17, 2023
This book helped me deal with my anxiety, panick attacks, dpdr and my irrelevant fear of getting sick in such a profound way.
What I like the most about this book is the key to all this is yourself. Forget all the bs on the internet on how to fix your anxiety: drink more water, stop drinking diary, go vegan. There’s no magic fix, outside person or medicin that will help you. This book teaches you how to heal and grow without all the outside noise. And ultimatily makes you realize that you hold the sollution.
He also talks about things you normaly don’t associate with anxiety like emotional numbness, floaters and intrussive thoughts.
This book really sets the stage for you to heal. As he states a couple of times in the book, this is not an overnight cure. It takes time to digest this, but you’ll be greatfull for the things you’ll have learned in the mean time. Really read this with intent. Chapter by chapter and let it sink in.
It’s a book that will help you for many years to come. I’m so gratefull that I decided to buy this. It has changed my Life really, i had no vision but when I was reading this book hope started growing again.
Today I’m so proud of where I stand and how i’ve grown as a person.
What I like the most about this book is the key to all this is yourself. Forget all the bs on the internet on how to fix your anxiety: drink more water, stop drinking diary, go vegan. There’s no magic fix, outside person or medicin that will help you. This book teaches you how to heal and grow without all the outside noise. And ultimatily makes you realize that you hold the sollution.
He also talks about things you normaly don’t associate with anxiety like emotional numbness, floaters and intrussive thoughts.
This book really sets the stage for you to heal. As he states a couple of times in the book, this is not an overnight cure. It takes time to digest this, but you’ll be greatfull for the things you’ll have learned in the mean time. Really read this with intent. Chapter by chapter and let it sink in.
It’s a book that will help you for many years to come. I’m so gratefull that I decided to buy this. It has changed my Life really, i had no vision but when I was reading this book hope started growing again.
Today I’m so proud of where I stand and how i’ve grown as a person.
March 25, 2018
Despite the editing and writing style, which mostly reads like a compilation of blog entries, I found it very helpful to understand that panic or anxiety attacks are actually pretty common and something you can recover from. The tips and recommendations may not seem very intuitive at first, specially for those who just very recently happened to suffer from this, but they do make a lot of sense once you understand where it all comes from. I actually happened to read this while studying mindfulness meditation and found many ideas and practices to complement and match each other quite well.
The most value I got from this book was reading a first hand experience from someone who suffered anxiety-related issues for a long time and recovered, as one of the most stressful aspects of it is usually feeling alone, weird and out of control.
The most value I got from this book was reading a first hand experience from someone who suffered anxiety-related issues for a long time and recovered, as one of the most stressful aspects of it is usually feeling alone, weird and out of control.
November 14, 2019
Surprised Claire Weekes did not get more than a passing reference as her simple yet possible life-changing idea of floating is the heart of this book. A competent editor would have effortlessly weeded out the typos and other issues of grammar, even the repetition of the main idea, which finds itself on almost every page--but, in a way, it somehow made sense for me, the gentle, assuring reminders to accept and entertain no ideas of control. To simply be. To trust your body and let recovery come to you. To acknowledge this is how you will be. For now. For that, and, of course, for that all-familiar yet still heart-pulling and comforting notion that you are not alone in this, this book deserves a lot of love.
P.S. Probably nitpicking, but wished there was a segment on health anxiety as well.
P.S. Probably nitpicking, but wished there was a segment on health anxiety as well.
October 5, 2016
دا أكتر كتاب ساعدني في التعامل مع الرهاب الإجتماعي (Social Anxiety) إن مكانش أهم الكتب إللي قرأتها في حياتي.
الكتاب بيصف مرض القلق في الأول و تأثيرة علي الأعصاب و الأعراض جميعها إللي كان بيعاني من جزء منها الكاتب و أعراض تانية أشخاص تانين كانوا بيعانوا منها و تاني جزء عن سياسة التعامل معاها و مضمون السياسة دي هو تقبل الأعراض و عدم محاولة الشخص بتغييرها لأن دا بيرهق أعصاب الشخص أكتر و مع الوقت من تقبل الأعراض دي و معرفتها و نسبها للقلق بتبدأ تقل أو بتوصل لدرجة إن الشخص مبيهتمش بيها أو مبتبقاش مؤثرة بنفس الشكل علي الشخص إنها تمنعة من تصرف معين.
الكتاب كان فيه أجزاء كتير مكررة عن نفس الأسلوب في التعامل مع الأعراض و لكن الحقيقة دا معمليش مشكلة و لكن ساعدني في إن الأسلوب دا يفضل في دماغي في كل مرة أمر بنوبة قلق أو أي عرض من أعراض الأنزيتي عموماً.
الكتاب بيصف مرض القلق في الأول و تأثيرة علي الأعصاب و الأعراض جميعها إللي كان بيعاني من جزء منها الكاتب و أعراض تانية أشخاص تانين كانوا بيعانوا منها و تاني جزء عن سياسة التعامل معاها و مضمون السياسة دي هو تقبل الأعراض و عدم محاولة الشخص بتغييرها لأن دا بيرهق أعصاب الشخص أكتر و مع الوقت من تقبل الأعراض دي و معرفتها و نسبها للقلق بتبدأ تقل أو بتوصل لدرجة إن الشخص مبيهتمش بيها أو مبتبقاش مؤثرة بنفس الشكل علي الشخص إنها تمنعة من تصرف معين.
الكتاب كان فيه أجزاء كتير مكررة عن نفس الأسلوب في التعامل مع الأعراض و لكن الحقيقة دا معمليش مشكلة و لكن ساعدني في إن الأسلوب دا يفضل في دماغي في كل مرة أمر بنوبة قلق أو أي عرض من أعراض الأنزيتي عموماً.
February 9, 2021
i’ve been wanting to read this book for a while! i don’t usually like to read self help books that much because self help / nonfiction honestly kind of bores me, but i did gain a new perspective of my anxiety while reading this ! i gained a lot of self awareness on different things i was feeling which is reassuring and i really liked reading the chapter on depersonalization, because i really struggle a lot with that. i only gave it 3 stars because most of the book was very repetitive and i didn’t care much for the many statements from the people who had read the book
May 8, 2022
The author writes with best intentions to help people as much as he can, and I sincerely appreciate that. Unfortunately, the book is very poorly written, riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes (if I had a nickel for each time the author uses 'learnt' when the proper word is 'learned'!). Ignoring the writing style, the content gives advice for only a certain type of anxiety, which is not one that’s relevant to me. It might be a relevant one to many others however, so perhaps you will find his advice useful.
May 30, 2019
So, this book is not well-written at all, but it deserves five stars nonetheless, because it has been the only thing that made life bearable for me in the past months. I'm going through a horrible time and I'm so grateful that I've found my way to this book. Anyone dealing with anxiety, depression, and depersonalization, please read it, cause it's honestly a game changer. I'm keeping it by my side to give me strength in the darkest period of my life.
November 21, 2013
The best book I have read for aniexty
January 14, 2018
This helped me understand and come to terms with my anxiety so much!
January 3, 2021
Has some very good points. But I think you would still need to talk to someone outside of your environment to help resolve or get off your chest your worries
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews