Book Update:
Just released—Don’t Panic, Third Edition

Collins Living has just released Don’t Panic: Taking Control of Anxiety Attacks in its 3rd edition. These are not minor revisions.  This is a completely new self-help protocol from the 1996 edition.  I’d really like you to take a look at this new approach to a daunting problem.  Now until May 1, 2009, you can purchase the book at my cost: 50% off. To see what’s new, go to www.DontPanicLive.com. 

Table of Contents

Part I: Identifying the Problem
1. Introduction: The Panic Attack
2. Physical Causes of Paniclike Symptoms
3. Panic within Psychological Disorders
4. Agoraphobia and the Panic-Prone Personality
5. Four Complicating Problems
6. Panic in the Context of Heart and Lung Disorders

Part II: The Nature of Anxiety Attacks
7. The Anatomy of Panic
8. Who's in Control?
9. Why the Body Reacts

Part III: Don’t Panic Live: Your Moment-by-Moment Strategies
10. Grab a New Attitude
11. Experience: The Greatest Teacher
12. Look for More
13. Stand without Crutches
14. Talk to Panic

Part IV: Support When You Need It
15. Your Mind’s Observer
16. Find Your Observer
17. Take a New Stance: Your Supportive Observer
18. Take the Hit
19. Face Panic
20. The Use of Medications

Self-Help Update:
Record your own relaxation exercises and breathing practice CDs

These three transcripts provide you with a basis to record your own relaxation exercises and to practice natural breathing, the calming breath, and calming counts. The three transcripts are:

1: PRACTICING YOUR BREATHING SKILLS
This is designed to help you practice a few basic breathing skills.   Listen to it several times in order to get these basic skills down.  Then, when you choose to use them in your daily life, they will come to you more easily.  Feel free to listen to this tape again any time you want to refresh your skills. 

2: CUE-CONTROLLED DEEP MUSCLE RELAXATION
This 20-minute exercise is a relaxation from the well-respected Dr. Edmund Jacobson. You will contract and then loosen 14 muscle groups in the body.

3: GENERALIZED RELAXATION AND IMAGERY
In this practice, you will only focus on relaxing—not tensing—your muscles.  In addition, several new visual images are added to help you increase your sense of comfort and well-being as you enjoy peace and quiet.

Self-Help Update:
Free downloadable forms for practice

These forms can be printed out for continual use by someone wanting to learn to cope with panic, various stressful conditions and specific phobias. Here are the forms you can use:

1: OPPORTUNITIES TO PRACTICE
2: COPING WITH FEARS
3: SAFETY CRUTCHES
4: PRACTICING CALMING SKILLS
5: PRACTICING CALMING SKILLS
6: SUPPORT STATEMENTS
7: TOLERATING SENSATIONS
8: TOLERATING SENSATIONS
9: LISTING LONG-TERM GOALS
10: RANK LONG-TERM GOALS
11: SHORT-TERM TO LONG-TERM
12: CREATE SHORT-TERM TASKS
13: PLANNING EACH TASK