Diane Peters Mayer - The Everything Health Guide To Controlling Anxiety Book: Professional Advice to Get You Through Any Situation

Welcome to

THE

HEALTH GUIDES

W hen youre faced with a pressing health issue, your first instinct is to find out as much about it as you can. With so much conflicting information out there, where can you turn for professional, supportive advice?

Packed with the most recent, up-to-date data, THE EVERYTHING HEALTH GUIDES help ensure that you get a good diagnosis, choose the best doctor, and find the right medical treatment. With this one comprehensive resource, you and your family members have all the information you could possibly needat your fingertips.

THE EVERYTHING HEALTH GUIDES are an extension of the best-selling Everything series in the health category, which also includes The Everything Diabetes Book and The Everything Menopause Book. Accessible and easy to read, THE EVERYTHING HEALTH GUIDES provide specific details and clear examples that relate to your given medical situation. If youre looking for one-stop, all-inclusive guides that allow you to understand and become more in tune with your body, this groundbreaking series is the perfect tool for you.

Visit the entire Everything series at www.everything.com

THE

HEALTH GUIDE TO
Controlling Anxiety

Dear Reader,

As a psychotherapist specializing in an xiety disorder s I have spent the past fif teen years treating hundreds of adults, adoles-cents, and children suffering from various anxiet y problems. My education, t raining, and experience as a mental healt h clinician have given me the ability to help many clients overcome anxiet y and go on to lead full and rewarding live s. But I think it was my own struggle with anxiet y and panic that enabled me to connect and work so well with anxious client s. Beyond all the school and training, I know how it feels. Performance anxiety tripped me up over my lifetime in public speaking, on tennis courts, and in horse shows. Panic attacks on airplanes grounded me for years. By seeking treatment, bot h conventional and alternative, I took control of my anxiety, which ever s o slowly lost it s power and hold over me.

My struggle with an xiety continues, but it doesnt stop me from doing things anymore. Writing this book caused me to feel anxious and panick y at times, but I have developed methods of overcoming these feelings and continuing on toward my goals. This is what I wish to impart to you; anxiet y is uncomfor table and difficult, but its also common and manageable. Use t his book as a re source and guide as you begin your battle with anxiety and take control of your life.

Best Wishes,

The

Health Guide To
Controlling Anxiety

Professional advice to get you through any situation

Diane Peters Mayer, M.S.W.

To those dear readers who suffer from anxiety and their loved onesthis book is for you.

Publishing Director: Gary M. Krebs
Associate Managing Editor: Laura M. Daly
Associate Copy Chief: Brett Palana-Shanahan
Acquisitions Editor: Kate Burgo
Development Editor: Katie McDonough
Associate Production Editor: Casey Ebert
Technical Reviewer: John DeRosalia, L.C.S.W.

Director of Manufacturing: Susan Beale
Associate Director of Production: Michelle Roy Kelly
Cover Design: Paul Beatrice, Matt LeBlanc
Layout and Graphics: Colleen Cunningham,
Holly Curtis, Erin Dawson, Sorae Lee

Copyright 2005, F+W Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book. Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Publications, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company 57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A. www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN: 1-59337-429-1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Peters Mayer, Diane.
The Everything health guide to controlling anxiety / author, Diane Peters Mayer. p. cm. (An everything series book) ISBN 1-59337-429-1

1. AnxietyPopular works. 2. AnxietyTreatmentPopular works. I. Title. II. Series: Everything series.

RC531.P42 2005
616.852206dc22
2005015475

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

All the examples and dialogues used in this book are fictional and have been created by the author to illustrate disciplinary situations.

Thanks to my agent Jacky Sac, and to everyone at Adams Media. My appreciation also goes out to Dr. David Nover, Dr. Barbara Gazze, Dr. Frank Dattilio, and Dr. Jonathan Warren for giving me their time and expertise. As always, thanks to my family, who continue to support me in my writing endeavors.

Top Ten Ways to Begin Controlling Anxiety

1. See your physician for a complete medical checkup.
2. Educate yourself about anxiety, its disorders, causes, and treatments.
3. Go to a mental health specialist for an evaluation and treatment.
4. Become proactive in your treatment planning and recovery.
5. Learn how to manage stress and control chronic worry.
6. Eat whole foods, avoid processed foods, sugars, and fats, and drink plenty of water.
7. Exercise regularly.
8. Eliminate substances like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and illegal drugs from your life.
9. Find exercises and techniques that will help you relax mentally and physically.
10. Learn to enjoy life, connect with family and friends, and make leisure time for yourself.

Everyone experiences anxiety. Stressful situations make up a good portion of the day for most people. If you have to get your kids off to school every morning or have a daily commute on traffic-coked highways, you probably feel anxious during these times. Maybe you became anxious when you had to take a test in school and still do when you give a weekly report to your boss. Major life transitions, such as graduating from high school or college, or getting married or divorced, or experiencing the death of a loved one will cause extreme anxiety that can last for long periods of time.