Robert L. Leahy - Anxiety Free: Unravel Your Fears Before They Unravel You

Praise for Anxiety Free

Robert L. Leahy, one of Americas most respected

self-help psychologists, treats us to a tour de force

in how to help soothe our anxious minds. With the

most ancient and up-to-date wisdom and self-help

techniques, Dr. Leahy is an expert guide and

coach.

Paul Gilbert, Ph.D., author of Overcoming

Depression: A Step-by-Step Approach to Gaining

Control Over Depression

Anxiety Free,by the internationally renowned Dr. Robert L. Leahy,
provides us with a state-of-the art guide to overcoming anxiety. Written
in his trademark accessible style, Dr. Leahys new book will help you develop
your own self-help program, using the latest and most powerful techniques
of cognitive therapy. His ingenious use of rule-books immediately empowers
you to know why you feel anxious and what you can do right now to
overcome your fears. I highly recommend this excellent book.

Aaron T. Beck, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry,
University of Pennsylvania

If you have a problem with anxiety, this is the book for you.
Anxiety Freeprovides detailed practical guidelines for understanding and
overcoming all types of anxiety problems. You can trust this book.

Christopher G. Fairburn, M.D., Professor of
Psychiatry, University of Oxford

Robert L. Leahy has written a comprehensive and vital primer which offers
hope for recovery to even the most severe cases of fear and anxiety. This well
crafted book is replete with self-diagnostic tools and easy-to-use, step-by-step
scientific procedures for freeing oneself from the pain of anxiety.Anxiety
Freeis a pleasure to read and is full of many helpful case examples. It offers
reassurance and hope to the millions who struggle with this crippling ailment.
A must read for anyone who has ever experienced debilitating fear or anxiety.

Frank M. Dattilio, Ph.D., ABPP, Department of
Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Dr. Leahy has done it again. Drawing from recent and well-supported
research findings, Leahy, speaking in understandable and appealing language,
offers powerful suggestions for addressing myriad anxiety problems. Sufferers of
chronic and debilitating anxiety can take heart in a
uniquely helpful resource.

Douglas Mennin, Ph.D., Director, Yale Anxiety
and Mood Services, Department of Psychology,

Yale University

With beautifully clear prose and great case illustrations, [Robert Leahy]
brings to life the central issues and theories involved in anxiety
disorders. This book offers hope, and more importantly, it brings
cutting-edge knowledge about treatment into the hands of the reader.

Sheri L. Johnson, Ph.D., Professor, Department
of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley

This is a masterful book written by a master clinician. [Leahys]
straightforward and conversational style talks directly to the reader as
if the reader was in his office. Even the most anxious person will find
this book helpful, useful, and calming. Following his clear program and rules will
help to put the anxiety demons to rest.

Arthur Freeman, Ed.D., author of Woulda,Coulda, Shoulda...

This book packs a potent therapeutic punch that sets new standards for self
help manuals. As inThe Worry Cure,Leahy once again provides a masterful
presentation of the latest treatment innovations but this time for all the major
anxiety conditions. He writes in a clear, uncomplicated, conversational style
that the reader will find highly informative and engaging. His explanations,
clinical illustrations, and practical step-by-step instructions will transform
how people think about and manage anxiety.Anxiety Freeshould be
required reading for anyone who has struggled with anxiety.

David Clark, Professor, Department of
Psychology, University of New Brunswick

ANXIETY
FREE

ANXIETY
FREE

Unravel Your Fears Before
They Unravel You

Robert L. Leahy, Ph.D.

HAY HOUSE, INC.
Carlsbad, California New York City
London Sydney Johannesburg
Vancouver Hong Kong New Delhi

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private useother than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviewswithout prior written permission of the publisher.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Leahy, Robert L.

Anxiety free : unravel your fears before they unravel you / Robert L. Leahy. -- 1st ed.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4019-2163-7 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Anxiety. 2. Anxiety disorders. 3. Phobias. I. Title.

BF575.A6L428 2009

152.46--dc22

2008048089

ISBN: 978-1-4019-2163-7

12 11 10 09 4 3 2 1
1st edition, April 2009

Printed in the United States of America

For Helen

CONTENTS

Appendices

Understanding
Anxiety

The woman came into my office looking slightly haggard. She was well dressed and her features well formed, but a certain tenseness around the eyes and mouth kept her from seeming really attractive. She didnt smile but glanced at me nervously, not quite meeting my gaze as she entered the room. She sat awkwardly on the edge of her chair, constantly shifting her position as she spoke, while her eyes darted around the room. I had the impression she was expecting something awful to happen.

So, Carolyn, I said, when we had finished our introductions. How can I help you?

She paused a long moment. I... I think Im going crazy.

Really. What makes you think so? I asked.

I keep having these anxiety attacks. I... Ive actually had them for years. I dont know whats wrong with me. Theres no reason for them. She went on to describe the attacks: sudden terror at being outdoors or in a shopping mall or looking out from a tall building. Total, unreasonable, suffocating panic, accompanied by a pounding heart and shortness of breath. The attacks would strike without warning and, when they did, she would rush home and close herself inside the house for several days.