The Anxious Brain: The Neurobiological Basis of Anxiety Disorders and How to Effectively Treat Them

by Margaret Wehrenberg, Steven M. Prinz

Therapists and their clients benefit from understanding how anxiety is generated in the brain, how it can become panic or unbounded worry, and ultimately how the brain re-establishes the neurochemical balance that is basic to a state of well-being. These insights in the brain underlying mental phenomena put anxiety into a perspective that makes it easier to become calm, and provides the bases for effective intervention with thought exercises, breathing techniques, and behavioral adaptations.

The Anxious Brain is a timely clinical guide. Current statistics show that up to one-third of Americans suffers a panic attack during their lifetime and up to eight percent is currently suffering from one of the anxiety disorders. Medication, once considered the first line of treatment, is losing public favor as clients realize their symptoms re-emerge when they stop using the drugs. However, our increasing understanding of the brain offers clinicians and clients a new and expanding set of resources that include but go well beyond pharmacological treatments.

Wehrenberg and Prinz describe brain structure and function and neurotransmitter activity related to the three major anxiety disorders in a way that psychotherapists can better understand, diagnose, and effectively treat anxiety disorders. Rich in neurophysiological diagrams and practical exercises that target the activity of specific neurological mechanisms, this book shows us how to take control of our brains to alleviate various anxiety disorders.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Psychology, Science

288 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2007

About the author

Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice, a popular public speaker, and international anxiety coach. She is the author of numerous books, including the best-seller The 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques, Second Edition, and its companion workbook.

Reviews

[Renee Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely informative and helpful book for those interested in the the neuroanatomical and physiological underpinnings of anxiety disorders. I think the author did a fantastic job organizing the information and setting a good foundation for clinicians unfamiliar with neurology and lacking expertise on the nervous system.

For those experiencing anxiety disorders, this book serves as an excellent psychoeducational tool to augment therapy and/or medication. I find most anxiety management books to be overly "self-helpy". This book is NOT that kind of book. It's written for clinicians but helpful to those with the disorder who need to know WHY they're employing constant cognitive behavioral techniques/medication and what exactly it's doing to their brains.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who suffers from GAD and Panic Disorder, I've done a lot of reading on this subject and this is one of the most comprehensive books I have come across. It also has the best balance between therapy and pharmaceutical recommendations and doesn't get caught up in the either/or argument that rages on and on and on--and is not particularly helpful for those of us struggling with these conditions. It is geared towards psychotherapists and one needs a bit of a scientific bent to understand the physiological stuff, but is fascinating and makes it clear why certain therapies and drugs work the way they do.

[Sera Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fascinating book on what is actually going on in the brain in terms of panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder. Discusses symptoms, causes, effective medication and treatment methods - it covers it all. The book is aimed at therapists, and while I'm not a therapist, I am very interested in the topic of anxiety and what causes it from a physiological standpoint. Really, really interesting read. Heavy on the scientific jargon, and the beginning of the book focuses a lot on brain function, etc., but I liked the challenge of learning about it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I attended a seminar by this author recently and thought she was fantastic--the seminar and book had great information on the treatment of anxiety. I enjoyed the neurobiological persepctive of the book, but occasionally found it a bit heavy on neurochemistry--but it was helpful to better understand the physiological foundations of anxiety.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good quality information on anxiety and it’s biological correlation in the brain. Written by a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist, this is a great resource for therapists. Highly recommended.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I have ever read on the neurobiological basis of anxiety and panic attacks. I highly recommend if you or a family member struggles from any form of anxiety.