Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing. I love the way it explains how some days I am able to do much better than other days, and, possibly why my pain sensitivity levels are so acute as well.
I will have to reread it again soon!

Great article. I also like the explanations! I'm hoping to print and save it.

Thanks for the link. I will read about it today.

Thank you for sharing. I absolutely loved it. It just makes so much sense. We think we are on the right pathway to recovery by taking an anxiety class and reading about it, etc. I totally get that if you continue to search and keep it at the top of your list, you are never going to be able to leave it behind. Brilliant.

I will have a deeper look. Looks interesting. As we're all different, anything that reduces your anxiety or panic is always a plus. I must admit, though, I don't often lend much credence to 'guides' written by laypersons who have no education in psychological or psychiatric medicine, but propose, based only on these personal experiences and admitted lack of knowledge in these fields, cures for psychological disorders. These are the personal experiences and writings of an individual with a rudimentary, highly simplistic understanding of the autonomic, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system response and based this as building block for assembling a workable guide to helping others with anxiety with no clinical or empirical evidence that shows it's effective. CBT has over a 70% success rate. If this guide works for you, use it. It has CBT based modalities in it, but is no substitute for quality, highly researched, effective practices and publications proven to be effective in helping you understand and resolve anxiety. Just my thought, being raised by a mom who was a clinical and surgical nurse for 32 years and brought home many highly regarded books and published articles by professional in these very fields of practice. Have a good weekend all.

A much better and highly regarded read would be 'When Panic Attacks', by Dr. David Burns, M.D., Adjunct Clinical Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. He has won awards for his research on behavioral studies and brain chemistry. It is written with compassion and humor, not just in a clinical sense. I feel he is better qualified with a teaching post and medical background to help you understand and overcome anxiety with a highly probable success outcome. Thanks again. have a blessed weekend.

www.feelinggood.com

I have got a full library of books written by doctors and I have to say this one makes just as much sense if not more than most of those. It's refreshing to read something from someone who's been there and done that as opposed to someone spilling out there education on every page of a book. I liked it, thanks for the post. =)

GoldtopSam,

The purpose of my post was simply to share an article which I found to be helpful. There was no suggestion of being better or worst. There also was no suggestion to substitute this for any other form of therapy.

In contrast to David Burns, the author of "nothing works" was actually an anxiety sufferer. Also in contrast, there is nothing for sale.

I have personally found more success in reading articles and books written by recovered anxiety sufferers. Like many of us, I also have had a lower success rate with professionals in the psychological field. Not only that, it was far more costly. Many anxiety sufferers find more relief in learning how other anxiety sufferers recovered. An analogy could be; "the best coach is the one who played the game.," or "there is no substitute for experience".

In the world of mental health, there are countless methods of recovery from anxiety disorders. What's "better or more highly regarded" may come down to the sufferer. It could also be opinion.

Daily Strength is about support, self help, anonymous therapy without cost. While staying within these boundaries, my intent again was only to share.

Very nice.

Hi Goldtopsam,

Does not the guide state? ...

"There is no substitute for qualified medical advice, please discuss with your doctor before undertaking any anxiety-elimination methods."

Is it not completely free in a era where everything has a price?

Is there anything but an altruistic motivation?

This guide was not written with an agenda to furnish personal intellectual vanity.

It is not written to gain acceptance from establishment.

It is not written to attack establishment.

It is not 'in competition' with other methodologies.

It is purposefully written to be of assistance to those who wish a positive viewpoint.

It is also written as a conduit to enable others to consider helping dying or disfigured children.

Is this such a bad thing?

Really?

Kind Regards,

Chris

Knowing that they're educated in their field of practice gives me comfort, just as I know my therapist is educated in her field of practice. There are many approaches to anxiety, but in general CBT is highly regarded, despite the approach used. As anxiety is usually caused by irrational thought processes, some medical conditions can also mask or' 'mimic' symptoms of anxiety. It is true, I will concede, some publications are written in a very clinical sense, with clear, concise modalities. You must also approach these with an open mind. Many therapists are now using what they call 'eclectic' approaches to CBT. the main thing is find one that works for you. If you find publications aren't working, seek a good therapist, they can help you to apply these practices in a practical manner. If you want to use this individual's approach, that is a decision you must make. maybe you can relate to it. Many aspects of anxiety between those here on DS intertwine, we sympathize because at one point or another we feel we've been through the same thing or something similar. Choose the best path for your recovery and apply it everyday. Be strong, get well, that is the ultimate goal. My pasta sauce is calling, lol. have a good evening.

No ,it is not a bad thing, and as I stated, in a sense, there is no substitute for experience, which is why I commend experience. We, as anxiety sufferers, know better , as we seem to be very aware of our bodily experiences. This is not a recommendation to not use this guide, as i stated if it works for you, use it. If it helps you, all the better. I stated 'anything that helps you reduce your anxiety is a plus.' It was simply a personal statement, and as we're all intelligent adults here, I know expression of a comment does not constitute truth or emperical fact, it is simply a comment. God Bless.

Thank you so much for your clarification.

I for one liked the "guide". As with any read, I take in what I want and I don't run my life by it. I am a logical thinker and it seems logical. The more time I put into thinking about anxiety, the more I have anxiety. I may not have anxiety all week until I reach my anxiety management class where I begin to get anxious. Interesting. As we have all heard before, symptoms of anxiety are not going to harm us. Anxiety sufferers need to change their thought process to kill the cycle.

Exactly, jbelar. It is a change of thought processes. This is exactly what CBT deals with, negative thought processes. As for the anxiety you feel before your class, it may be introspective, the realization that you will have to confront these uncomfortable thought patterns, and yourself. There are many aspects to to CBT therapy, not only the actual thought processes, but how we actually 'see' ourselves. Self esteem factors that play into our daily lives, dealing with confrontational issues in the home, the workplace. How you are viewed and perceptionally judged by others, even loved ones for this 'flaw' you have. I did not say you didn't have to like the guide, if you like it and it's something you think might work for you, by all means go for it, if you think it will help you. My comment was related to individuals citing methods of practice they know little or nothing about, using the term cure and anatomy structures they have no education in, postulating a methodology of diagnosis and prognosis without evidence of research that these methods work, no matter how charmingly, compassionately and humorously written, that's all.