Phobias And How To Overcome Them

A handbook for sufferers, those who treat them, and those who love them. What distinguishes a fear from a phobia? How do I know if I have one? What treatments for phobias have proven most effective? These and many other questions are addressed in this guide to the complex issue of phobias—which come in many forms and many degrees of severity. Based on scientific and clinical research as well as patients’ experiences, Phobias and How to Overcome Them delves into topics including: *Recognizing the symptoms of phobias *Stories of successful treatments *Specific phobias both common and uncommon *Medical evaluation and treatment of phobias *The roles of counseling, psychotherapy, and cognitive-behavioral therap *Other anxiety disorders and mood disorders that may underlie phobias *Resources for additional help In addition, Dr. Gardner provides an Anxiety Toolkit that can be used to combat and conquer phobias—offering new techniques and new hope for people who experience these debilitating fears that can not only affect physical health but also interfere with full and joyful participation in life.

The definitive treatment textbook in psychiatry, this fifth edition of Gabbard's Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders has been thoroughly restructured to reflect the new DSM-5® categories, preserving its value as a state-of-the-art resource and increasing its utility in the field. The editors have produced a volume that is both comprehensive and concise, meeting the needs of clinicians who prefer a single, user-friendly volume. In the service of brevity, the book focuses on treatment over diagnostic considerations, and addresses both empirically-validated treatments and accumulated clinical wisdom where research is lacking. Noteworthy features include the following: Content is organized according to DSM-5® categories to make for rapid retrieval of relevant treatment information for the busy clinician. Outcome studies and expert opinion are presented in an accessible way to help the clinician know what treatment to use for which disorder, and how to tailor the treatment to the patient. Content is restricted to the major psychiatric conditions seen in clinical practice while leaving out less common conditions and those that have limited outcome research related to the disorder, resulting in a more streamlined and affordable text. Chapters are meticulously referenced and include dozens of tables, figures, and other illustrative features that enhance comprehension and recall. An authoritative resource for psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses, and an outstanding reference for students in the mental health professions, Gabbard's Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders, Fifth Edition, will prove indispensable to clinicians seeking to provide excellent care while transitioning to a DSM-5® world.

As the makers of blockbuster movies like The Birds, Jaws and Arachnophobia well know, animal fears are the most commonly reported phobias. Some 6 percent of Americans suffer from diagnosable animal phobia at any given time, and 11 percent will experience an episode at some time in their lives. Nearly three quarters of animal phobia sufferers are women, and most symptoms of animal phobia come on in childhood. Since most people with animal phobias experience panic attacks when they encounter certain animals, these fears can cause victims to lose significant quality of life. Fortunately, specific phobias are among the most responsive of anxiety disorders to behavior therapy, the research-proven treatment adapted for self-help readers in this book. Readers first learn about their phobia, where it comes from, what factors influence it, and how best to prepare for treatment. Then they learn to confront and overcome their animal and insect phobia. These techniques are effective and fast. The book includes information about avoiding relapse and helping someone else who suffers from an animal phobia.

Overcome Your Fear of Doctors, Blood, Needles, and More-You Can Do It! Does even the thought of a visit to the doctor's office start your heart racing? You're not alone. Some 30 million of us have a significant fear of doctors, dentists, medical procedures, blood, needles, and so forth. These fears might already have inconvenienced you, but if you're avoiding necessary medical attention, you could be putting yourself in great physical danger. But you don't have to live with these fears anymore. This book can help you overcome your medical phobia, maybe in less time that you ever thought possible. Start by learning about your fears, where they might come from, what factors influence them, and how you can best prepare to overcome them. Then you'll gradually and safely confront your specific fears. The book also includes information about avoiding relapse so you can maintain your progress, as well as steps for helping someone you care about who suffers from a medical phobia. Learn about your fears, how they may have begun, and the methods used to treat them Prepare for treatment, either on your own or with the help of a professional Explore exposure-based strategies for overcoming your fears Learn strategies to prevent fainting Plan relapse-prevention strategies to maintain your progress Engage your family and friends as sources of support

Mastery of Your Fears and Phobias, Second Edition, Workbook outlines a cognitive-behavioral treatment program for individuals who suffer from specific fears and phobias, including fear of blood, heights, driving, flying, water, and others. The program described in this workbook has proved to be the most effective treatment available for fears and phobias to date. It has a success rate of up to 90% with as little as one treatment session. Based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), this workbook teaches clients about the nature of their fear and how to overcome it through exposures and changing their negative thoughts. TreatmentsThatWorkTM represents the gold standard of behavioral healthcare interventions! · All programs have been rigorously tested in clinical trials and are backed by years of research · A prestigious scientific advisory board, led by series Editor-In-Chief David H. Barlow, reviews and evaluates each intervention to ensure that it meets the highest standard of evidence so you can be confident that you are using the most effective treatment available to date · Our books are reliable and effective and make it easy for you to provide your clients with the best care available · Our corresponding workbooks contain psychoeducational information, forms and worksheets, and homework assignments to keep clients engaged and motivated · A companion website (www.oup.com/us/ttw) offers downloadable clinical tools and helpful resources · Continuing Education (CE) Credits are now available on select titles in collaboration with PsychoEducational Resources, Inc. (PER)

A hands-on guide to recovery from the bondage of phobias.

Discusses the phenomenon called anxiety sensitivity, a fear of the physical symptoms that lead to anxiety, including its contribution to anxiety disorders and a treatment plan to conquer it.

A guide to overcoming your fears so you can make decisions with confidence, conquer obstacles, and go after what really matters. Author of the bestselling motivational book Stop Anxiety from Stopping You, Dr. Helen Odessky describes what she has learned in fifteen years of helping people face their fears. Learn to face your fears and attain greater opportunities in your relationships, career, and life. Sometimes fear can be helpful. A few years ago, Dr. Helen Odessky, licensed clinical psychologist, anxiety expert, and speaker, found herself part of a minor fender-bender on a major interstate. Looking back at her daughter, she feared that if another car hit them, her daughter’s life would be in danger. A few minutes after retreating to another car in a safer location, an 18-wheeler barreled into her car and demolished it. Her fear saved both her daughter's life and her own. Stop Fear from Stopping You is about a different type of fear—the fear that is so prevalent that it often lies dormant—destroying dreams, career paths and relationships. Bad fear creates stories that cushion us from potential pain and failure—at the cost of our self-esteem, success, and personal happiness. Because fear is complex, we cannot afford merely to be fearless. Just “letting go” is not the answer. The real solution lies in learning to become fear-wise. In this inspirational book, Dr. Helen shows you how to harness the wisdom behind your fears and break through the barriers that block your success. Praise for Stop Fear from Stopping You “In such uncertain times, I’m grateful that Dr. Odessky has come out with this new book to help you tame your fears and live a fuller, calmer life where you are able to handle whatever comes your way. Join the thousands of others her words have helped and decide to take control. Start today. Start now.” —Dr. John Duffy, author of Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety “As an anxiety treatment specialist, I am always looking for tools and techniques to move my clients compassionately and effectively through panic and other forms of anxiety. This book offers practical, evidence-based exercises to assist anxiety sufferers in freeing themselves from the devastating symptoms of untreated anxiety. I recommend this book to anyone looking for actionable steps that they can take to teach anxiety to back off and quiet down.” —Debra Kissen, PhD, MHSA, clinical director of Light on Anxiety Treatment Center and author of The Panic Workbook for Teens

AARP Digital Editions offer you practical tips, proven solutions, and expert guidance. AARP Face Your Fears shows you how to reclaim your life from crippling anxiety with a revolutionary step-by-step approach. Nearly a third of all people will suffer from severe or debilitating fears—phobias, panic attacks, obsessions, worries, and more—over the course of a lifetime. Now Dr. David Tolin—a renowned psychologist and scientist at the Institute of Living and Yale featured on such programs as The OCD Project, Hoarders, The Dr. Oz Show, and Oprah—offers help for nearly every type of anxiety disorder. Dr. Tolin explains what fear really is, why you should face—not avoid—your fear, and how to beat your fear using gradual exposure techniques. Practical action steps and exercises help you learn this unique approach to facing fear without crutches or other unhelpful things found in many other programs in order to achieve a life that is free of debilitating anxieties. Self-help guide that gives you the tools to take charge and overcome your fears Written by a leading authority on anxiety and based on the latest research Provides a practical, step-by-step plan for beating many different kinds of fears—including social anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and phobias AARP Face Your Fears will change the way you think about fear and what to do about it. This up-to-date, evidence-based, and user-friendly self-help guide to beating phobias and overcoming anxieties walks you step by step through the process of choosing courage and freedom over fear.

This book was inspired by a request from a colleague. He suggested I write an evidence-based book for the millions of people across the globe who have needle fears and phobias. The sad reality is there are simply not enough trained mental health professionals to offer individualized treatment for those fearful of getting vaccinated, visiting their dentist, or having blood withdrawn. Conquer Needle Phobia was written to offer you practical tools that you can use whenever you face getting your next shot, receiving a needle injection, or having your blood drawn. Use this book as a reference and resource companion to gain greater knowledge, reduced anxiety, and increased confidence. Facing your fears is never easy, but the hope is that after reading this book you will at very least find the prospect of getting injections of any kind more tolerable.