[omri]

hi everyone!
did anyone here read the "anxiety and phobia workbook" by edmund bourne?
I just started reading it but didnt like the theme about heredity and stuff... because my experience with CBT(cognitive therapy)taught me that my thoughts effect my feeling and not some unknown genetic makeup...
anyway I just started reading it so my opinion might change(if the methods work!)..
did anyone here read it??
what do u think about heredity vs thoughts(or cognitions)??
thanks everyone and I hope that everyone here will learn to beat anxiety!!

[Parker10]

I have read it, and its not one of my favorites personally, but I know others it has helped a great deal. The jury is still out on heredity vs. whatever. IF you lived with an anxious parental role model, if your family had "secrets", if your family had "rituals", etc etc, this COULD be a learned behavior. It also CAN be hereditary, but there is only one way to know for sure, and that is called a "sodium lactacte infusion"......you dont wanna go there ! They inject this thru an IV, you don't know when you will get the actual medication vs. the saline that is dripping into you all along.....if it is a CHEMICAL (hereditary) imbalance that is causing your panic disorder, you will go just about bonkers when that medication hits your brain - sorta like a panic attack multiplied by 2 gazillion times. If you do NOT have a chemical imbalance - nothing will happen. Not many people want to find out bad enough to do this test, nor do many Docs who are TRAINED to do this test what to put people thru it. (I had the test, I still get sick to my stomach thinking about the intensity of the attack I had during it).

I think there is much credence to the theory it is in our thinking, however, how did it get there to begin with? WHy did I suddenly wake up one day and say "Dag nabbit - I now can no longer go into a grocery store, cause I am afraid of those Van de Kampp fish that jump outta the frozen food section".....see, I dont think it is our thinking that STARTS this disorder - but it sure feeds it like crazy once we start having attacks ! Stinkin thinkin as I call it.

Good luck with that book, it has some great info in it for sure. I have recommended other books in posts that I have found more helpful, but you know, we are all different, and what works for one might not for the other, so Bournes' book might be the one that works for you ! GOOD LUCK and keep us posted ! If you come across something in the book that you think would help others here - post it please !

[omri]

well, I personally think that whatever started it, thinking rationally will prevent any kind of panic attack..
in my case nothing comes out of the blue - I think about something and than I feel anxious..
can u tell me about the books that u found to be more helpful?
anyway good luck to u 2 and thanks for your caring answer!

[Parker10]

Thinking rationally will certainly help - but for people in the throes of a panic attack, sometimes it is very hard to think rationally !

The books I have found most helpful are : Anxiety, Phobias and Panic - Taking Charge and Conquering Fear" by Reneau Z. Peurifoy and "Panic Disorder: What You Don't Know May Kill You" by Dr. William D. Kernodle. Another book worth the read is "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" by Susan Jeffers.

I dont think we can ever read too many books on panic and anxiety, because what works for one, may not work for someone else. I think the first one I mentioned is absolutely the best one ever written however, and have never run into anyone who did not benefit from using it. Its not an "easy reading" book, nor one that will be absorbed with one reading.

Sounds like you have a very positive attitude and I wish u the best !

[omri]

thanks!
good luck to u too!