No comments about Affect in Foreign Language and Second Language Learning: A Practical Guide to Creating a Low-Anxiety Classroom Atmosphere.

1 comments about Supplement Treatment Guide to Understanding Katie.

1. I am a special education teacher and I have searched high and low for a book that would be beneficial for me, my student, and the parents. After reading this book, I realized that this book is a necessity for anyone who comes in contact with a selective mute child/person/student/relative... ECT... I have gained many techniques and information from this book. Prior to this book, could not find any decent books relating to the selective mute except this one. Not only is this book "decent" it should be mandatory! If you do not purchased this book you will be missing out valuable information that the doctors don't even know!

2 comments about Hans Bellmer: The Anatomy of Anxiety.

1. If you're interested in Hans Bellmer's art aside from his doll, this is the only book currently in print that has pictures of his drawing, painting, and print work. As an art book, it's pretty mediocre. There are 5 color plates. All the other pictures are reproduced in black and white, no bigger than 3 x 4 inches and often smaller. Picture text includes artist, title, and medium, but does not give original dimensions or indicate if the picture was originally in color. Many of the pictures are reproduced so lightly that, coupled with the small size, it is difficult to see the work at all.

   The text, and there is a lot of it, focuses almost entirely on a Freudian examination of Bellmer himself. The art becomes merely an extension of the author's analysis of the artist. The author clings so strongly to this narrow interpretation that all the other facts and influences of Bellmar's life (growing up in Germany during WW1, coming of age during the Weimar Republic, and emigrating after the Nazi's labeled him as degenerate, the influence of the other Surrealists, the death of his first wife, his alcoholism, and so on) are simply mentioned in passing and then neglected as other avenues of explanation. By the end, the theory overwhelms the subject, and one wonders why the author chose to write about Bellmar at all and didn't simply write a general text on Freudian theory as a means of interpreting of art.

   The book does have a chronology of Bellmer's life, which is helpful for finding context, and a very thorough bibliography that will point you towards better examples of the art. I added a rating star for including pictures of previously unpublished work.




2. This work is mostly meant for those who want to know more about the psychological and historical context of Bellmer's work. Includes many photographs, but in no way is a conclusive text on the artist. good buy for those sincerely interested in Bellmer.

2 comments about Too Scared to Learn: Overcoming Academic Anxiety.

1. REVIEW OF TOO SCARED TO LEARN, Corwin Press, 1997, by Cara Garcia The ideas that you read about in Too Scared to Learn are elegantly simple-and highly workable, whether you are a teacher or a parent or a person who has found anxiety to interfere with what you would like to accomplish. In fact, anyone who wants to meet their goals more efficiently will find something to make them more effective-and less neurotic. Dr. Garcia focuses on overcoming academic anxiety, and, indeed, there is rich opportunity in schools to help young people get over their fears so that they may learn. Unfortunately, many teachers are not tuned in to the subtext of what their students do and say. Too Scared to Learn helps the teachers help their students-a much needed focus of teacher education. The focus on learning anxiety, though, can be somewhat misleading because it is more than that. This book can help you overcome any anxiety, part of what we found as readers to be what makes it such a powerful approach. The techniques put forth are easily adaptable to the corporate world or the personal lives of adults, and not just what happens in classrooms. Two techniques we both have used since reading Too Scared to Learn are to record the interruptions that keep us from staying concentrated on a task and then to record how long it took us to get back on task-and what worked or did not work in getting back to the "job." Just knowing you are going to track yourself helps you stay more focused, but then seeing what actually takes you away from what you want to do illuminates your weak areas. Both my partner and I have become far more productive since we follow Dr. Garcia's method of tracking our concentration, interruptions, and recovery. The second technique is to give those interrupters a voice and let them write to you. Even for those of us in California, this seemed somewhat silly, but since the first technique worked so well, we thought we would try it. Again, powerful results! We cannot praise the book or the techniques enough. Whether you are a teacher or a teacher in training, a therapist, or a corporate mogul, there is something for you in this short, readable, and amazing book, Too Scared to Learn. You won't be sorry you read it-only sorry that it wasn't available for you earlier. Elena DeVos, CEO, Words at Work Bruce Binder, CTO, Words at Work



2. I suppose this book would be somewhat helpful for a college professor, or for the college student that can't overcome his apparent inability to absorb some subjects. But it wasn't at all what I needed. As an adult, performance anxiety makes it impossible for me to perform to my full potential in front of anyone. This is a common problem for many musicians, and adults that are faced with any kind of a test situation. If you have these issues, this is not the book for you. But if you can sit down and analyze how you study and how you think while you are being taught, and be disciplined enough to psychoanalyze yourself on paper then this may be benificial. Too involved for grade school or even high school students. The first chapter wants you to write an autobiography of a typical academic anxiety situation, complete with what you thought every minute. Who remembers? I rate it about equal with "Mommy Dearest" in the reality department.

No comments about Cultural Anxiety.

5 comments about Help! I Think I'm Dying! Panic Attacks & Phobias: A Consumer's Guide to Getting Treatment That Works.

1. The book is absolutely perfect for those suffering from panic disorder. Granoff makes an excellent, excellent point, one that all primary care physicians and psychiatrists should read again and again until it's seared into their memory: the only patients with panic disorder that need antidepressants are ones who have depression as a PRIMARY symptom, not a secondary symptom. All others with panic disorder need benzodiazepines. Now, first let me say that I only 90% agree with that brilliant statement. For the lay readers out there, you may not see the brilliance---it may look like a total boring common-sense statement. But you don't understand how brainwashed the medical community is about antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Antidepressants like SSRI's and the newer ones like Remeron, Effexor, Serzone, and Wellbutrin are patented, while all benzodiazepines are generic. What does that mean? It means that generics get no positive publicity, only negative, while brand-name patented drugs get billions and billions of dollars worth of sleek, catchy advertisement, including the sales pitch that "antidepressants can help panic disorder". The reality is that antidepressants can help only about 1/3 with panic disorder, dont do much for about 40% of patients, and actually WORSEN panic symptoms in about 1/4 of people. And the 1/3 that get helped almost certainly have major depression as the primary diagnosis, AND the major depression is the primary cause of their panic disorder. Antidepressants are delayed stimulants; they will not give you a panic attack in minutes like too much caffiene can---it may take days for the antidepressant to induce more anxiety. That anxiety may fade later, or for many patients, it will never fade. For people who have only mild depression and prominent anxiety/panic, benzodiazepines are the primary therapy. A small amount of antidepressant may help, since the overstimulation caused by them is dose-dependent. For a more detailed review of these issues, I recommend the book The Failures of American Medicine.



2. James Croak's review of Jan 10, 03 shows his lack of understanding the complexities of medical diagnosis and treatment. It shows not only how easily a lay person can misinterpret medical information but also how easily one can accept unscientific information from non-medical sources and extole it as fact.

   First, my experience with my own panic attacks occurred in the early 80's. This was a time before the psychiatric community, the general medical community and the public had much knowledge or experience with the symptoms and treatment of panic attacks. The story of my two panic attacks was added to my book as an attempt to reassure people who have these symptoms of how physically real and frightening they are. They do not feel they could be caused by the brain. Even after intellectually knowing that, emotionally connecting this fact can be difficult.

   Second, the statement that panic disorder is cured daily by behavioral psychologists shows a lack of understanding the nature of this illness. It is a physical disorder of the brain that has a genetic predisposition. No one is able to fix the genetics yet. The illness usually comes and goes on its own for most people giving the appearance of "cure" for those who don't follow it long term. About 30% of people have one attack or one series of attacks never to have them return regardless of treatment type or lack of it. The claim of "cure" by those who are not MD's, ie: psychologists, social workers, counselors, "therapists," motivators, or sufferers who have found the "right formula," is not based on scientific fact. Tragedy can occur when one goes through the "cure" and has partial remission or another series of attacks. The feelings that accompany that failure may prevent the search for a different, more effective treatment.




3. Dr. Granoff's book is superb. For anyone who has ever suffered a panic attack, this book should be the first one that you read.

   The well-credentialed Dr. Granoff begins with a thorough, yet understandable, analysis of what occurs chemically in a person's brain when they suffer a panic attack. (The list of symptoms will absolutely surprise you. You may find that panic disorder has been manifesting itself over many years, sometimes worsening in the absence of appropriate treatment.)

   An interesting fact that I discovered in this book is that benzodiazepine is a naturally occurring chemical in the brain. Dr. Granoff compassionately, yet analytically, explains how this chemical functions in the brain, and how panic attacks can occur when there are deficient quantities of naturally-occurring benzodiazepine.

   Dr. Granoff does not say this, but, it is possible that, after you read this book, you will conclude that the pharmaceutical industry deliberately pushes its new, PATENTED, EXPENSIVE drugs, while at the same time dogging the benzodiazepine family of drugs (Xanax, etc.) because the exclusive patents on the benzodiazepines have expired and they are, thus, a cheap (and perhaps more effective) means of treating your panic disorder.

   Of course, only a competent psychiatrist can properly determine your clinical diagnosis, but, Dr. Granoff gives an accessible view of panic disorder and its solutions.

   MOST IMPORTANTLY, however, Dr. Granoff gives you lots of hope by sharing his substantial clinical experience in treating this potentially debilitating disorder. If you can stop panic attacks, then that is a victory for you and your loved ones, and Granoff explains how victory is possible.

   Many thanks to Dr. Granoff for writing a book that steared me in the right treatment direction. I consider it providence that this plain-looking book would have helped me so much. I was unable to carry on my profession before I sought the appropriate treatment after reading this book. I have a life now, and a hope. And that is more than I can say that I had two years ago.




4. Prior to reading Dr. Granoff's book I had tried numerous medications, psychotherapy, CBT, desensitization, etc. etc. Nevertheless, the panic remained. I was on the fast track to complete agorophobia. Subsequent to reading his book I met with him and now I am living my life again and pursuing a career path and life that seemed impossible before. With the CORRECT knowledge, treatment for what is a physical condition, and some personal work; you can overcome panic disorder. I highly recommend his book. In short, Dr. Granoff is a REAL consumer advocate for those suffering from this crappy disorder.



5. Written and updated way back in 1997; would have been better to have the latest information on the medicines in the intervening 10 years. His insistence on pushing the anti-anxiety medications - despite their addictive qualities - made me uncomfortable. He also seems disdainful of alternative methods of treating/overcoming anxiety/panic disorders. I had hoped to really like his book and find it useful and reassuring, but instead, I felt annoyed at reading it - as if the author was arrogant with his opinions and attitude about treatment options. I cannot recommend this book.

No comments about Exposure Treatments for Anxiety Disorders: A Practioner's Guide to Concepts, Methods, and Evidence-Based Practice (Practical Clinical Guidebooks).

5 comments about Choose to Be Happy: The Craft and the Art of Living Beyond Anxiety.

1. Just the chapter on inner vision was worth the book by itself



2. Chetanananda who is carrying on the teaching for Rudi, brings his own style to the wisdom of the east stripped of all of it's cultural baggage, extracting a potent concentrated clarity. This is an intellectual poetic book that is double edged in that; the insight it brings clarifies and inspires and reveals the gunk and horror of what habitually falls out of our awareness. His metaphor of the pendulum and acting from a place prior to our projection of good/bad, positive/negative jarred me awake from a place of deep slumber. This book is beautiful.



3. i feel that if you are a human the first few chapters of this book would greatly appeal to your heart, mind, and spirit. Mostly, to choose to be happy is for your health, and in essense for life itself.



4. Recently there's been a spate of books on how to find happiness or make yourself feel happier. They all make their case with impressive statistics, catchy lists, and simple little tricks you can use to talk yourself into a more uplifted state. But the real test is whether you can cultivate, sustain, and live from a place inside yourself where that happiness is deep and permanent. This is the only book I've found to get at the root cause and core practice that will result in a total inner transformation that translates to your whole life. This book is powerful, inspiring, and life-changing. If you want to be a happier person, start by reading this book.



5. Swami Chetananda offers Truth as no other spiritual teacher I know of today. He writes from profound experience guiding the reader gently......step by step to a point where it is possible to realize that the choice to be happy is in the reader's hands alone. His energy lives in all his books so to begin with one is to open one's heart and mind to a gift of transformative possibility.......for all of us!
   Barbara A. Rabin

No comments about Finding Peace Workbook: God's Promise of a Life Free from Regret, Anxiety, and Fear.

No comments about Concepts and Controversies in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Series in Anxiety and Related Disorders).