OVERCOMING ANXIETY --- FROM SHORT-TERM FIXES TO LONG-TERM RECOVERY
by Reneau Z. Peurifoy. Henry Holt and Company, 1997
PREFACE (pxiii-xiv)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (pxv-xvi)
1) A new way of looking at anxiety (p1-14)
[1] What is long-term recovery? (p3-5)
(1) Level One --- Basic symptom control (p3-4)
[2] How to get the most out of this program (p6-7)
(2) Level Two --- Advance symptom control (p4)
(3) Level Three --- Long-term recovery (p5)
[3] Summary of key ideas (p7)
(1) "Anxiety" is a normal part of life. It is a "messenger" that indicates the presence of a problem or issue that needs to be resolved. The more intense the anxiety, the more important the issue. People with severe anxiety often have important life issues they are not dealing with effectively.
[4] Recommended activities (p8-14)
(2) Long-term recovery focuses on the "management" of anxiety rather than on the absence of anxiety.
(3) There are three different levels of recovery possible. Many people become stuck at the first or second level, or cycle back and forth between the first two levels.
(4) People who achieve "long-term" recovery perceive anxiety differently from those at the first two levels of recovery. When anxiety occurs, they understand the message and respond to it in an effective way. Because of this, they can experience high levels of anxiety without the distress or escalating symptoms they experienced when their anxiety-related problems began.
(5) In order to achieve long-term recovery, you need to work through the program presented in this book in a slow and systematic manner.
(1) Getting the most out of the recommended activities (p8-9)
2) Imprint of childhood (p15-30)
(2) Establish a regular study time (p9)
(3) Write a brief explanation of your condition (p10)
(4) Consider using supplemental materials (p10)
(5) Consider psychotherapy (p10)
(6) Find a study partner (p10-11)
(7) Consider joining a self-help group (p11)
(8) A word about medication (p11-12)
(9) A word to your spouse or "significant other" of the anxiety-ridden person (p13-14)
3) The time tunnel (p31-46)
4) The mystery of emotions (p47-63)
5) Developing your explanation for "WHY" (p64-86)
6) Basic symptom-management skills (p87-102)
7) Distorted thinking (p103-119)
8) Progressive desensitization (p120-138)
9) Moving from basic to advanced symptom control (139-152)
10) Establishing healthy boundaries (p153-169)
11) Detours along the path to recovery (p170-188>
12) Two important quiet messages (p189-200)
13) Viewing yourself in a new way (p201-218)
14) Final steps (p219-225)
APPENDIX 1 --- The main types of anxiety disorders (p226-232)
APPENDIX 2 --- Guidelines for selecting a therapist (p233-238)
APPENDIX 3 --- How to locate support groups (p239-241)
APPENDIX 4 --- How to develop a relaxation response (p242-245)
BIBLIOGRAPHY (p217-218)
INDEX (p219-228)