Panic Free

About the Book

Panic Free is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art guide to recovery that appeals to both panic sufferers and clinicians alike. It is organized in an easy, look-up format by chapter, and overall in four sections named Information, Preparation, Action and Finishing. Its unique Travel Kit is designed to travel by the reader's side as a wise companion, insuring success in every situation. It masters every type of phobia with the motivation, skills and action steps for each situation by:

• Lighting the motivational fires of the reader from start to finish.
• Giving essential information about panic, its causes, and treatment.
• Preparing the reader to act with the latest in effective skills and tools.
• Tailoring treatment for each situation, using only the attitudes, skills and plans that fit.

The four sections sweep the reader into continuing success. The first two, Information and Preparation, contain:

• Fourteen calming methods for immediate use in the panic situation.
• Eleven effective ways to control worry and stop the worry cycle.
• Fifteen ways for one's partner to help speed recovery.
• Twelve self-tests to pinpoint the reader's panic triggers and skills
• Three major groups of anxiety medications, supplements, and their wise use.

The Actions section brings all these skills together in over 20 detailed success plans for each type of phobia. The Finishing section shows the reader how to go through every major barrier or setback to being panic-free.

The voice of the book is that of a warm, plain-spoken guide that is always at the side of the phobic on the path to recovery. Motivation and encouragement are on every page. Over 100 brief cases illustrates the text in a clear, inspirational way. The voice draws on the authenticity of a clinical psychologist who completely recovered from 8 years of phobia, has counseled over 3000 phobics in a specialized clinical practice, and has made systematic study of phobia and its treatment.

About the Author

Dr. Richard C Raynard, a licensed clinical psychologist, received his doctorate in 1967 from the State University of New York at Buffalo, following study at Yale University and a VA Hospital internship. He held a joint appointment as tenured assistant professor and counselor at Southern Illinois University. In 1984, he founded the Anxiety and Phobia Center, offering specialized therapy, professional training, research, and community education. He has authored and published research on anxiety disorders and presented these in professional conferences and graduate seminars. He published a national newsletter, "Phobic Update" and The Consumer's Guide to Anxiety and Panic Medications. He now divides his time between a specialty practice in panic and avidly writing on mastering other emotions and moods, as well as panic.